There’s been a lot of talk about the MBTA’s plan to install a new fare collection system, most of it focused on the problems associated with going cashless. The concerns […]
The Codcast: Cashless T won’t leave people behind
Posted inEnvironment
Who’s behind consumer energy group?
A GROUP CALLED Consumers for Sensible Energy is refusing to say who is bankrolling the operation amid reports that the Newton-based organization is linked to a similar-type outfit in New […]
Posted inOpinion
Putting cash in its place at the MBTA
A HIGHLY FUNCTIONING urban transit system is characterized by its speed, convenience, and reliability. The Netherlands, a role model for efficient and sustainable mobility, has examples of this in abundance. […]
Posted inTransportation
State: No West Station until 2040
A STATE TRANSPORTATION FILING prompted a chicken-and-egg debate on Friday about whether a new transit station should be constructed in conjunction with the new neighborhood Harvard University is building in […]
Posted inPolitics
Rosenberg denies Senate meddling by Hefner
SENATE PRESIDENT STAN ROSENBERG said he was “devastated” by the charges of sexual harassment and assault against his husband, who plans to seek inpatient treatment for “alcohol dependence.” Rosenberg faced […]
Posted inEnvironment
Cape Wind calls it quits
THE DEVELOPER BEHIND CAPE WIND, who sought to pioneer offshore wind power in the United States but never managed to shake legal challenges from locals led by billionaire William Koch, […]
Posted inThe Download
What’s the standard for Rosenberg?
We have, it seems, crossed the Rubicon in Massachusetts politics regarding sexual harassment with the latest allegations against the husband of Senate President Stan Rosenberg. The bombshell story Thursday from […]
Posted inOpinion
Our schools ignore US history at our peril
ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO, as a member of the Massachusetts Senate, I co-authored the Massachusetts Education Reform Act. Drafting a complex bill with such far-reaching consequences requires significant compromise, but one […]
Posted inUncategorized
DPU cuts Eversource rate hike by 60%
THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES on Thursday cut Eversource Energy’s overall rate hike request by 60 percent, turning aside the company’s bid for $90.8 million and allowing an increase […]
Posted inThe Back Story
An exercise in democracy or a crapshoot?
THE DEMOCRATIC CONTEST to succeed retiring US Rep. Niki Tsongas is shaping up to be a wild scramble, with 12 candidates in the race as of this week. On the […]
Posted inThe Download
Passing the buck(s)
It’s not exactly as if they were deviously cooking the books at Boston City Hall and the Boston Public Schools. It’s more like someone lost track of all the index […]
Posted inEconomy
Harvard unveils plans for new Allston neighborhood
HARVARD UNIVERSITY unveiled some broad brush strokes of its plan to build a new neighborhood along Western Avenue on the edge of its campus in Allston. The project, dubbed variously […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker will run. Yawn.
Seriously, who thought it was ever a question that Gov. Charlie Baker may not run for reelection next year? Of course, reporters had to ask the question, and, of course, Baker […]
Posted inUncategorized
Pot board finds a home
SALT AND PEPPER. Hammer and nail. Bacon and eggs. Crimson and clover. Yin and yang. Pot and gambling. All things that apparently go together in many people’s minds. The Massachusetts […]
Posted inThe Download
Post turns tables on O’Keefe
James O’Keefe, known for his no-holds-barred undercover video stings, had the tables turned on him by the Washington Post. The Post lays out a great yarn about a woman who […]
Posted inTransportation
T notes: Privatization proposal moving forward?
DESPITE STRONG OPPOSITION from the state’s Democratic political establishment, MBTA officials hinted on Monday that they plan to bring a proposal forward to outsource work at three bus maintenance garages. […]
Posted inTransportation
Green Line shutdowns coming for track repairs
THE MBTA’s FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT CONTROL BOARD on Monday gave staff the green light to periodically shut down chunks of the Green Line to replace entire stretches of track, which […]
Posted inTransportation
T outlines rosy future on subways
MBTA OFFICIALS ON MONDAY outlined a series of investments and maintenance strategies that should dramatically improve service for the transit authority’s subway riders over the next five years. Many of […]
Posted inThe Download
Berkshire Museum’s art sale
THE BOSTON GLOBE editorial page offered its support over the weekend for the Berkshire Museum’s plan to sell off 40 of its most valued works of art, including two paintings by Norman […]
Posted inEducation
Editor’s note: Tang vs. Kerr
HERE AT COMMONWEALTH we are great believers in open debate; that’s why we run so many opinion pieces. But sometimes the debate becomes so spirited that people want us to step in […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Episode 32: Talking among ourselves
At CommonWealth, we try to give you a little more in-depth coverage of the issues but don’t always have the time to apply what we know to an analysis of […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s time for outrage in business community
OVER THE YEARS, the four major groups representing commercial and industrial (C&I)customers in proceedings berfore the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities — Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Energy Consortium, […]
Posted inTransportation
Sources: T to part ways with paratransit contractor
THE MBTA IS STILL NOT SATISFIED with the performance of the private company overseeing its paratransit dispatch service, and sources say the authority is trying to figure out a way […]
Posted inThe Download
Nothing but ‘net
The Trump administration is ready to jettison another Obama-era regulation in a win for Big Telecom, this time laying waste to “net neutrality” rules that mandate equal access to the […]