The Download: New report banks on philanthropists to supercharge energy retrofits
New report banks on philanthropists to supercharge energy retrofits
A new report from the Boston Foundation aims to convince philanthropic donors to put money toward retrofitting smaller residential buildings in Boston to reduce their carbon emissions.
As teachers, we see the MCAS graduation requirement doing more harm than good
Every student in a Massachusetts public school should receive a high-quality education that readies them for their future, whether that is in the workforce, career training, or college. That doesn’t come from a high-stakes one-size-fits-all standardized test.
Proposed Red Line access tunnel at Alewife stirs asbestos concerns
A June test of the surrounding soil found asbestos fibers in 56 of the 148 samples in the first six feet of the soil at the site. Asbestos was not found in the “deeper natural soil.”
Campbell sues TikTok, alleges children harmed by use
This lawsuit – filed along with attorneys general in 12 other states and the District of Columbia – comes almost exactly a year after Campbell and attorney generals in 42 states filed lawsuits against Meta for allegedly using Facebook and Instagram to hook and harm young people.
Groups urge rejection of Healey budget maneuver using millionaire tax funds
The challenge to Healey’s approach represents one of the first tests of how millionaire tax revenues are being spent, and whether the will of the voters is being honored.
Study explores rail link between Allston, Kendall Sq., and North Station
The new study confirms what transit advocates have been saying for years – that the Grand Junction rail line could be converted for passenger use, ferrying riders from a proposed new MBTA station in Harvard University’s emerging research-oriented neighborhood in Allston to MIT, Kendall Square, and North Station.
Scrapping MCAS would be irresponsible
Eliminating the assessment system we have without putting alternative in its place is utterly irresponsible. The predictable outcome of leaving each district on its own to set graduation standards is that the already unacceptable gaps in student performance based on race and class will only get wider.
Cannabis commission nearing end on two-driver changes
“We’ve been talking about the two-driver rule since 2020,” said Ryan Dominguez, the head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition at the public hearing.
SJC raises questions about MBTA Communities Act penalties
There seemed to be a mixed reception to the arguments on Monday, with some justices inclined to parse legal minutiae that could support a narrow ruling on technical grounds. Others appeared compelled by a broader public policy argument that could allow wide latitude for the state to enforce laws designed to address the crippling housing shortage.
Echoes of Helene flooding in Massachusetts climate planning
HURRICANE HELENE’S destructive path through the south, flooding inland areas considered to be sanctuaries from the impact of serious weather and climate events, shocked the country with the scale of […]
Rising waters: navigating flooding in Mass.
This week on the Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon’s Jennifer Smith talks with Katherine Antos, Undersecretary of Decarbonization and Resilience, to share how the state plans to tackle sea level rise, coastal storms, and flooding exacerbated by climate change. They discuss long vs. short-term mitigation, financing climate resiliency, and the ResilientMass Plan.
Mass. constitutional officers have different stances on hybrid work
“Staff are required to work in person Monday to Friday with very few exceptions,” said Karissa Hand, a spokesperson for Gov. Maura Healey’s office. “The governor’s office is a fast-paced, high-demand work environment. We believe that having employees working in-person is beneficial to our efforts to meet these demands.
Bike lanes don’t just benefit cyclists
These findings highlight that bike lanes are not merely an amenity but a vital component of a safer urban landscape. Separated bike lanes act as traffic calming measures, reducing the likelihood of accidents and making streets safer for everyone.
New State Police chief promises review of training death, mum on staffing changes
Noble said Friday he had not been officially briefed on the investigation into the recruit’s death yet, but that he is aware of the situation and a deeper briefing is shortly forthcoming.
Mortgage discrimination, which leads to segregation, needs to be addressed
The consequences are devasting for first-time buyers, as thousands of sellers, advised by their agents, make the same decision to pick cash or conventional offers over the perceived hassle of working with an FHA buyer – a decision too often based on misperceptions rather than underlying truths.
Political Notebook: Lydia Edwards on a roll | Ralph de la Torre’s go-to firm
Sen. Lydia Edwards has garnered a reputation for an independent streak while standing on the winning side of recent races for city councils in Boston and Revere, as well as state attorney general and Suffolk County district attorney.
State tax revenues lag slightly behind projections
The Department of Revenue said Thursday that it collected $4.518 billion in September — $331 million, or 7.9 percent more, than what was collected during September 2023, but $29 million, or 0.6 percent, below the monthly benchmark.
We don’t need Question 3 allowing unionization of rideshare drivers
While the legal status of rideshare drivers finally appears to be resolved, a new threat is looming with labor groups promoting an unnecessary ballot measure, known as Question 3.
DPU approves big shift in electric bill discounts
The DPU decision authorizes National Grid to move to a tiered discount approach by June 2025, replacing the 32 percent flat rate with a five-tier system providing discounts ranging from 32 percent to 71 percent depending on income level.
Long-stalled gambling data project moves forward
Massachusetts gaming regulators are moving forward with a data collection project – mandated by a 2011 statute – dealing with problem gambling that’s been on ice for almost a decade because of industry and pandemic delays.