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 […]
Berkshire Museum’s art sale
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
Insurers’ ‘fail-first’ drug approach increases pain
WHEN YOU LIVE with debilitating pain it becomes a matter of degrees: How bad is it today? Can I get up and walk? Can I get through a day of […]
Posted inTransportation
Baker in shift on distracted driving bill
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A RISE IN FATAL ACCIDENTS caused by distracted driving and advances in technology prompted Gov. Charlie Baker to throw his support on Tuesday behind a ban […]
Posted inDrug Addiction
Big Tobacco’s mea culpa ad campaign
Big Tobacco is launching a major ad campaign this Sunday in which it acknowledges the deadly nature of smoking and the industry’s role in concealing the danger of cigarettes from […]
Posted inTransportation
T notes: Board ends alcohol ad ban
THE MBTA’s OVERSIGHT BOARD voted 3-2 on Monday to approve a 3.5-month test of alcohol advertising inside subway stations, on billboards, and at bus shelters. The T’s Fiscal and Management […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA adopts new tone with Keolis
DAN GRABAUSKAS, AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR brought in a couple months ago to serve as the MBTA’s executive director of commuter rail for a year, gave his first briefing to the […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA signs two big contracts
MBTA OFFICIALS TOOK SOMETHING of a victory lap on Monday as they approved two major contracts with the potential to reshape the transit authority for years to come. The board […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Episode 75: Gateway Cities come of age
It was 10 years ago that MassINC launched its Gateway Cities initiative with a report documenting the challenges — and huge opportunities — in the state’s once vibrant industrial cities. […]
Posted inThe Download
The Codcast: Gateway Cities come of age
It was 10 years ago that MassINC launched its Gateway Cities initiative with a report documenting the challenges — and huge opportunities — in the state’s once vibrant industrial cities. […]
Posted inTransportation
T overhauls fares for $723 million
MBTA OFFICIALS WILL unveil the next generation of fare payment and collection which they say will reduce waits, increase efficiency, minimize the need for cash, and let riders use their […]
Posted inEnvironment
Belmont taking ‘baby step’ on trash
MASSACHUSETTS’S ONGOING TRASH DILEMMA – having too much of it, but nowhere to put it – is trickling down to the local level across the state. Belmont recently faced a […]
Posted inOpinion
Somerville’s turn to ‘sewer socialism’
FOR MUCH OF the first half of the 20th century, the municipal heart of New Deal politics was in cities like Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This growing industrial hub was home to […]
Posted inPolitics
Healey: Governor not subject to public records law
ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY ruled on Friday that the office of the governor is not subject to the Massachusetts public records law, confirming the long-standing position of Gov. Charlie Baker […]
Posted inOpinion
Shift to women on Boston City Council is astounding
THERE’S BEEN MUCH BUZZ around Boston since last week’s election which resulted in the historic victories of two additional women of color to the Boston City Council. Councilors-elect Lydia Edwards […]
Posted inTransportation
T taps low bidder for Green Line extension
THE MBTA CHOSE a joint venture led by a Dallas-area contractor that said it would build the long-delayed seven-stop Green Line extension into Somerville and Medford for hundreds of millions […]
Posted inThe Download
Heroux and Lantigua, what’s the difference?
Will he or won’t he? Right now, Attleboro Mayor-elect Paul Heroux won’t resign from the House, where he’s served since 2013, saying he can do both jobs effectively. It’s an […]
Posted inOpinion
What Level 3 schools need from the state
THIS MONTH, families across Massachusetts got their children’s MCAS 2.0 scores in their mailboxes. According to Secretary of Education James Peyser this new, more difficult test was necessary because nearly […]
Posted inThe Back Story
Walsh’s transportation to-do list
In the aftermath of a massive general election victory by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh – and recognizing the political capital that goes along with that – it seems a good time to assess the […]
Posted inOpinion
Massachusetts House should act on climate change
LESS THAN TWO DAYS after Syria signed the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States in the unenviable position of being the only country in the world to refuse the climate […]