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 […]
Somerville’s turn to ‘sewer socialism’
Posted inPolitics
Healey: Governor not subject to public records law
ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEYÂ 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 […]
Posted inPolitics
Gomez still weighing Senate run
THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FIELD to take on US Sen. Elizabeth Warren next year now includes three candidates, but another contender is still eying the race. Businessman and former Navy SEAL […]
Posted inThe Download
Troopergate gets more tangled
The mess in the State Police seems to be getting messier. The head of the department, Col. Richard McKeon, abruptly retired last week in the face of controversy over his […]
Posted inOpinion
A new social contract on public safety
THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE recently passed a comprehensive criminal justice reform bill. It aims to improve public safety while reducing the size and cost of the prison system. More importantly, the […]
Posted inHealth Care
Some top Steward execs relocating
A NUMBER OF TOP OFFICIALS at Steward Health Care, including Chairman and CEO Ralph de la Torre, are relocating their base of operations from Boston to Dallas in the wake […]
Posted inTransportation
T notes: Questions raised on shuttle buses
OFFICIALS WITH THE Federal Transit Authority have raised questions about the handicap accessibility of Yankee buses being used to shuttle Red Line passengers between stations on weekends when work is […]
Posted inEducation
Oversight of Lawrence schools shifting to state-appointed board
EDUCATION OFFICIALS UNVEILED the next chapter in state oversight of the Lawrence schools on Wednesday with the announcement that the state receiver, Jeff Riley, will be stepping down at the […]
Posted inEconomy, Politics, State House News Service
Rosenberg: We’re not done with pot
SENATE PRESIDENT STANLEY ROSENBERG said the recreational marijuana law will continue to evolve and he foresees the Legislature making several changes a year. “We created a joint standing committee because […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. needs to put a price on carbon
SINCE THE TRUMP administration stands alone as the only national government in the world rejecting the Paris Climate Agreement, states across the U.S. are standing up, saying “We Are still […]
Posted inThe Download
Brayton Point sale in works
Redevelopment of the 300-acre decommissioned Brayton Point Power Station in Somerset is set to begin, but is likely to be a slow process. The owner of the massive facility, which […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker unveils new opioid legislation
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Monday unveiled his second legislative proposal to deal with the opioid epidemic, focusing primarily on expanding access to treatment, demanding more vigilance on opioid prescriptions, and […]
Posted inThe Download
On pot, just say yes and no
While no one is yet declaring the wall of opposition to the retail sale of recreational marijuana has been demolished, there are a few cracks beginning to appear that are […]
Posted inTransportation
T notes: Mass. may hire firm to pursue toll evaders
STATE TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS are considering hiring a debt collection firm to go after unpaid tolls and fines incurred by residents of Connecticut and a handful of other states. Stephen Collins, […]
Posted inTransportation
State spending $800,000/year shoring up Pike
STATE TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS said on Monday they are spending $800,000 a year to shore up a structurally deficient elevated portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Boston used by 145,000 motorists […]
Posted inTransportation
T oversight board at impasse on alcohol policy
THE MBTA’s FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT CONTROL BOARD reached its first-ever impasse on Monday, deadlocking 2-2 on whether to resume accepting alcohol advertising on a limited basis at the transit authority. […]
Posted inPolitics
Calling the question on guns
A week after a gunman mowed down 25 members of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland, Texas, worshippers from the church gathered yesterday for Sunday services — this time in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Debating immigration policy on Beacon Hill
IMMIGRATION REFORM isn’t part of the criminal justice reform bill House members will begin debating today, but Republican lawmakers want it to be. Maybe they’re right and it should be […]