STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE LAST WEEK MBTA OFFICIALS presented some tough medicine the agency could take to zero-out its $42 million structural deficit for the coming fiscal year, including slashing […]
T offers up other paratransit options
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Senator ‘No’
US Sen. Elizabeth Warren sounded a little tempered last week when asked whether she’d be campaigning hard against the reelection of the state’s Republican governor, Charlie Baker, next year. That […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
For marijuana law, now the ‘Grown-Up’s Hour’
MANY OF US have listened to Longfellow’s poem that reminds us that there “Comes a pause in the day’s occupations, that is known as the Children’s Hour.” Now that democracy […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Trump budget shows shocking values
A BUDGET PROPOSAL is a statement of beliefs and priorities, a document that says, “these are the things we value.” President Trump’s proposed budget says we don’t value women, seniors, […]
Posted inTransportation
Carmen’s chief sets record straight
IT’S TIME TO set the record straight on why the Boston Carmen’s Union agreed to open up its contract with the MBTA, negotiate amendments that greatly benefit the T, and […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Episode 40: Getting around in the age of Trump
Beth Osborne, a senior advisor for Washington-based Transportation for America, was in town recently to discuss transportation needs with state officials and policy advocates. Osborne, a former undersecretary in the […]
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
The Codcast: Getting around in the age of Trump
For all the attention paid to the new administration since President Trump was inaugurated, the new president and his policies remain enigmas to advocates across the spectrum of services reliant […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Trump’s attack on environment is attack on communities of color
TWO WEEKS BEFORE the commencement of President Trump’s reign of error, the New York Times reported that in an effort to undermine strong public support for policies to prevent climate […]
Posted inPolitics
Warren offers mild criticism of Baker
US SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN offered mild criticism of Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday, suggesting that she would like to see Republican governors put more pressure on President Trump and members […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
With commuter rail cut, we’d be unique!
Plenty of bragging goes on around here about Massachusetts exceptionalism. We walk with a little bit of swagger, and often for good reason. U.S. News & World Report even confirmed […]
Posted inEnvironment
Offshore wind firms split on size of initial contract
THE THREE COMPANIES vying for Massachusetts offshore wind contracts sharply disagree on how big the initial procurement should be, but they are united in their belief that electricity generation and […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Where’s the story on Trump’s taxes?
Certain people over a certain age recall the old Wendy’s slogan that became a pre-internet viral cry for whenever someone offered something without substance. “Where’s the beef?” is a phrase […]
Posted inHealth Care, Opinion
Sanchez: A few common themes emerged
IN MAY OF 2016, I was named co-chair of the Special Commission on Provider Price Variation, a 23-member group consisting of legislators, insurers, providers, employers, and other stakeholders. The commission […]
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
Crunching the T’s numbers
News coverage of the MBTA’s budget-balancing initiatives focused almost entirely on halting weekend commuter rail service and curtailing rides for disabled riders, but the biggest savings would come from privatization. […]
Posted inHealth Care, Opinion
GOP cuts are moral challenge for America
THE BIG NEWS IS, of course, the “score” from the Congressional Budget Office detailing that the House Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare will result in […]
Posted inTransportation
Wanted: Super hero to run the T
THE JOB POSTING for the new general manager/CEO of the MBTA seeks someone with exceptional skills but offers no hint at what their pay will be. “The MBTA is seeking […]
Posted inPolitics
State cutting off Greenway funding
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Secretary Stephanie Pollack said on Monday that the Greenway Conservancy’s $2 million-a-year state subsidy will end on July 1 and she is working with abutters to help fill […]
Posted inTransportation
T’s new mantra: ‘Cut to invest’
STATE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY STEPHANIE POLLACK coined a new term on Monday to summarize the Baker administration’s budget philosophy for the MBTA: “Cut to invest.” In a briefing with reporters, Pollack […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Gants v Conley: Time for a real debate?
The Boston Globe delivered an editorial spanking to Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley over the weekend for questioning the political activity of Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants. […]
Posted inHealth Care, Opinion, State House News Service
With health assessment, Baker heading down familiar path
“ONCE BURNED, twice shy.” Will the Legislature heed that aphorism in response to Gov. Baker’s proposed health care tax on employers to help balance the state’s fiscal 2018 and 2019 […]
Posted inOpinion, Transportation
Extend the T’s Pacheco Law exemption
“Competition is a good thing,” said MBTA Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve. “It drives innovation; it drives productivity.” That sums up the importance of extending the MBTA’s exemption from the Pacheco […]
Posted inEnvironment
US planning more offshore wind leases off MA coast
IN ANOTHER SIGN the offshore wind market is heating up, the federal government indicated on Friday that it intends to lease more ocean tracts off the coast of Massachusetts after […]
Posted inGambling
SJC opens casino can of worms
THE STATE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT reopened the casino legal wars on Friday, ruling that Mohegan Sun can challenge the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s decision in late 2014 to award a license […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Episode 39: A conversation with teeth in it
State Sen. Harriette Chandler of Worcester and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli of Lenox have introduced bills in the Legislature to create a new practitioner called “dental therapists,” a highly […]