MBTA OFFICIALS MADE ALMOST NO PROGRESS last year in curbing employee absenteeism, in part because success in reducing one type of absence was offset by a surge in another area. […]
T made little progress reducing absenteeism in 2016
Posted inThe Codcast
Episode 34: Speaking up for the pay hike
Sen. William Brownsberger has been a supporter of the pay raises and one of the few willing to speak out in justifying the hikes. He joined us on The Codcast […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
The Codcast: Speaking up for the pay hike
There was a lot of stealth and quiet involving the now-passed pay raise for state officials that sits on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk awaiting his promised veto. When House Speaker […]
Posted inPolitics, The Back Story
Baker moves to collect tax on internet sales
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER IS LAUNCHING an initiative to indirectly start collecting sales tax from Massachusetts residents making purchases over the internet. The move by Baker is somewhat risky, both politically […]
Posted inEconomy, Opinion
Say no to Trump’s anti-labor secretary
ANDREW PUZDER, the CEO of CKE Restaurants and President Trump’s pick for secretary of labor prefers robots over working people. He has said that machines “are always polite, they always […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Baker to veto pay raise
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE HOURS AFTER FORMALLY RECEIVING their plan, Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday afternoon informed legislative Democrats that he intends to veto a controversial package of pay raises […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Where the truth lies
We’re not yet a week into the Strange New Era in Washington, and it’s already featured enough strangeness for the first efforts trying to explain how reporters are explaining […]
Posted inTransportation
Governor rejiggers funding for the T
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S BUDGET PROPOSAL for the coming fiscal year calls for giving the MBTA about $60 million less to cover its operating expenses. By law, the T receives a […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker explains, addresses budget disconnect
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER STEPPED BACK from the numbers in his fiscal 2018 budget on Wednesday, and tried to explain why the state keeps struggling to balance revenues and spending even […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker hints at pay raise veto
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER said little has changed to sway him since he threatened to veto a legislative pay raise bill two years ago, but said he’ll wait to see the […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Hungry for more than education
It’s no secret that a good portion of those attending college here and around the country struggle to make ends meet, but it’s rarely talked about – or addressed – […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Baker: Compromise is sign of strength
The following is the prepared text of Gov. Charlie Baker’s State of the CommonWealth speech. Mr. Speaker. Mr. President. Members of the House and Senate. Distinguished elected officials and honored […]
Posted inTransportation
Senate going on the road again
THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE IS GOING on the road again this year, holding nine so-called Commonwealth Conversations around the state with a special focus on regional transportation needs. The day-long events […]
Posted inPolitics
Pay raise hearing just for show?
WHEN HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg issued a joint statement last week about holding hearings on a two-year-old report to explore the possibility of raising salaries […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Do your job
As local pundits press Gov. Charlie Baker to take a stronger stand against President Trump, it’s worth remembering what Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots always say as the […]
Posted inPolitics, Uncategorized
Lawmakers: Hike everyone’s pay
THE TWO TOP LEGISLATIVE leaders on Beacon Hill filed a bill Monday that would boost their own pay by more than doubling the stipends they receive for their posts as […]
Posted inTransportation
T praised for response to Women’s March
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY STEPHANIE POLLACK and members of the MBTA’s oversight board on Monday praised the authority and the state’s commuter rail operator for their response to the huge crowds that […]
Posted inTransportation
T building out Green Line Ext team
THE MBTA IS BUILDING OUT its project staff for the Green Line Extension into Somerville and Medford and keeping on board two consulting firms that have helped steer the project […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service, The Download
Trump’s America First vision
President Trump’s inaugural speech laid out a new “America First” vision for the country that may be more in keeping with the increasingly competitive world economy. “From this day forward, […]
Posted inOpinion, Transportation
Buses are what’s next in transportation
YOU WAIT 20 MINUTES for a bus, only to watch three show up all at once. Soon after boarding, the glut of vehicles carrying hundreds of commuters comes to a […]
Posted inThe Codcast
Episode 33: Tito Jackson makes his case
Tito Jackson is preparing to wage a campaign for mayor of Boston focused on the divide between the haves and have-nots, sounding an echo of many previous mayoral aspirants who […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
The Codcast: Tito Jackson makes his case
Tito Jackson is preparing to wage a campaign for mayor of Boston focused on the divide between the haves and have-nots, sounding an echo of many previous mayoral aspirants who […]
Posted inGambling
Slots parlor not hurting lottery sales
A STUDY COMMISSIONED by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission suggests the opening of the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville in June 2015 did not cannibalize lottery sales in the surrounding area. […]
Posted inTransportation
Logan passengers can now get a Lyft
MASSPORT HAS REACHED an agreement with Lyft to allow the ride-hailing company to operate out of Logan Airport, a move that paves the way for other transportation network companies such […]