The federal grant money would be funneled towards infrastructure and economic development projects. The law sets up a $750 million pot of money, funded using interest generated by the state’s $8 billion-plus stabilization fund. The money will go toward matching federal grants.
Healey signs bill aimed at bringing in federal funding
Posted inEnergy
Healey sees ‘nice synergy’ in buying Millstone nuclear power
“Millstone is a good example,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “Millstone is a nuclear power plant in Connecticut. There’s an opportunity for Massachusetts to purchase energy from Millstone. There’s a nice synergy there.”
Posted inEnergy
State House climate negotiators resume talks
“I think there’s a real interest in getting to yes,” said Sen. Michael Barrett, who had all but given up hope for a larger bill after the governor filed her close-out spending bill. “Not everything is aligned quite yet, but I think we can emerge from all this chaos with a deal.”
Posted inHousing
20 groups weigh in on MBTA Communities Act case
The key issue in the case is whether Campbell can compel compliance when the MBTA Communities Act statute itself is silent on her enforcement power and specifically mentions the loss of grant funds as the penalty for noncompliance.
Posted inBallot Questions
Three ballot questions in ‘precarious’ situation, poll indicates
“The poll shows these three ballot questions in a precarious position,” said Parr. “At this stage of the campaign, the ‘yes’ side would hope to have a solid majority of support, because late deciders often break towards the ‘no.’”
Posted inBy The Numbers
Poll indicates growing frustration with Legislature
A new poll points to growing public dissatisfaction with the Legislature, with 47 percent of likely Massachusetts voters disapproving of the job lawmakers are doing and only 42 percent approving.
Posted inOpinion
Flap over zoning appointee really about old Boston vs. new
Stories about Mayor Michelle Wu’s decision not to reappoint the longtime chair of the Boston Zoning Commission have been turned into a manufactured controversy. Boston mayors get to appoint people to municipal boards who support their agenda.
Posted inBallot Questions
Are ballot questions a good way to make law?
The strongest polling so far of the five measures is a direct jab at a Legislature perceived as opaque and glacial in its lawmaking processes – coming from a former lawmaker who is now the state auditor. Diana DiZoglio wants to pry open lawmakers’ processes for public scrutiny through a ballot question that would give her office authority to audit the Legislature.
Posted inThe Codcast
Ballot questions and battles royale
In a special live edition of The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon’s Gintautas Dumcius chats about the Massachusetts ballot question wars with political consultants Lynda Tocci of Dewey Square Group and Conor Yunits of Issues Management Group. They discuss what makes a successful ballot campaign, the past and present challenges of galvanizing votes, and compare pre- and post-pandemic ballot campaigns.
Posted inPolitics
Harris with huge lead in deep-blue Massachusetts
Kamala Harris has a 28-point lead over Donald Trump in Massachusetts, according new polling, a dramatic increase in the Democratic margin compared with polling in March with President Biden at the top of the ticket.
Posted inPolitics
Poll shows a romp for Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a two-term Democrat, holds a wide lead over her Republican challenger, John Deaton, in a new CommonWealth Beacon/WBUR poll conducted by the MassINC Polling Group.
Posted inOpinion
In narrow Decker win, a pointed message to her and Legislature
Veteran Cambridge state Rep. Marjorie Decker eked out a razor-thin 41-vote victory in this month’s Democratic primary. The fact that the race was so close underscores the discontent among her constituents with the Beacon Hill status quo.
Posted inPolitics
Political Notebook: Teamsters throw new wrench into election
When a union declines to issue an endorsement at the national level, that typically frees up the locals to make their own picks. But the Teamsters president’s old local is staying quiet.
Posted inHealth Care
Sales timeline forcing quick review of Steward transactions
With the sales of Steward Health Care’s Massachusetts hospitals scheduled to close in less than two weeks, the state Health Policy Commission is rushing to complete its analyses of the transactions.
Posted inEducation
On MCAS question, mayors reluctant to fill in the bubble
Voters face a stark choice when it comes to the MCAS graduation requirement: Vote yes on a November ballot question to end it, or vote no to keep it. But a lot of Massachusetts mayors seem to be opting for a third choice that’s not actually on the ballot: none of the above.
Posted inOpinion
Denmark’s approach to decarbonizing offers lessons worth replicating
What I saw was remarkable. Denmark has positioned itself as an economic thought leader in the new energy economy. While the demographic, political, and social context may not match the whole of the US, I believe Denmark can teach us many lessons – particularly in Massachusetts, which is similar in population and climate.
Posted inMedia
Globe host’s endorsement of Harris raises murky ethics questions
“Boston Globe Today” host Segun Oduolowu urged attendees to vote, donate, and organize for Harris in the presidential race during an August 26 “African Diaspora for Harris Post-Convention Call.”
Posted inBy The Numbers
Competitiveness and migration reports agree to disagree
“In short, the picture that can be drawn from available official data is inconsistent, though in any case, it is not one of crisis. Nevertheless, migration data often is used – and misused – to push an agenda of tax cuts for very high-income households, the ultrawealthy, and large corporations,” said Kurt Wise, a MassBudget policy analyst.
Posted inOpinion
Skip the quick fixes, pass a comprehensive climate bill
The Senate bill would have empowered the Department of Public Utilities to ensure any gas spending served the public good, and help redirect that funding toward clean energy alternatives if it failed to meet this basic standard.