THE SUPREME COURTÂ decision in King v. Burwell resolved another legal challenge to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and cited the success of the 2006 Massachusetts health insurance […]
Using incentives and disincentives in health care
Posted inState House News Service, The Download
Baker owns the DCF mess
There’s no set timetable for when the other guy’s problems become your baggage but one thing is certain: Gov. Charlie Baker now owns the mess that is the Department of Children […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
To be Frank
BARNEY FRANK IS passing time with a newspaper crossword puzzle before our interview. When I arrive at the West Newton video studio where he does live shots for CNBC, Frank […]
Posted inEconomy, The Download
The high cost of sharing
In this emerging “sharing economy” – i.e., I got something I can make a few bucks off – much of the focus has been on so-called transportation network companies such as […]
Posted inThe Download
Globe price hike not for everyone
The Boston Globe raised its digital subscription price 74 percent last month, but not for everyone. David Rosen, a Boston resident and long-time Globe subscriber, said he canceled his subscription […]
Posted inGambling, Transportation
Boston attends meeting with Wynn officials
OFFICIALS FROM BOSTON AND WYNN RESORTS, whose bosses have been publicly feuding and battling each other in court, sat down together with state Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack on Thursday […]
Posted inThe Back Story, Transportation
Trying to saddle the runaway Uber horse
Third in a series In May, the members of the Braintree Licensing Board took a step that no other community in the state has been willing or able to do: […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
Bloody night in Greater Boston
Gun violence has become the Muzak soundtrack to life in urban America: It’s always there, it’s bothersome, and it’s barely noticed after a while. At least by those outside its […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion
Criminal justice initiative overdue
ONE COULD ALMOST hear a collective sigh of relief emanating from the Massachusetts criminal justice reform community at the announcement last week that the state would—finally—begin a long-overdue Justice Reinvestment effort. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Opinion, Politics
Rivera explains stance on Lawrence Trust Act
Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera issued the following statement on Wednesday, a day after the City Council voted 7-2 in favor of a measure that bars police from detaining anyone for […]
Posted inThe Download
Boston’s data plan
Mayor Marty Walsh is determined to go boldly into the 21st century. Or at least make sure Boston arrives, even if a little late, at the end of the 20th. […]
Posted inBallot Questions, Gambling
Mystery ballot question could add 2nd slots parlor
A MYSTERY BALLOT QUESTION submitted to the state attorney general’s office would allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to award a second slots parlor license as long as the facility is […]
Posted inOpinion, Transportation
There’s a new driver in town
LAWMAKERS ON BEACON HILL may be debating how and whether to regulate ride-sharing services such as Uber, but as far as I’m concerned the debate is over. Let’s move on. […]
Posted inGambling
Walsh offers to keep talking with Wynn
BOSTON MAYOR MARTY WALSH acknowledged on Tuesday that he may have misunderstood a Steve Wynn comment about money during a set of phone calls, but he said there was no […]
Posted inGambling, The Download
Wynn calls Walsh ‘irresponsible’
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has been taking a lot of shots lately. His indecision about hosting the Olympic Games in 2024 prompted the US Olympic Committee to abandon Boston and […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
Solar power’s benefits outweigh its costs
MASSACHUSETTS IS A LEADER in solar power and most experts will tell you that has been a good thing for homeowners, businesses, low income communities, and everyone else who pays […]
Posted inOpinion
Remembering Alec Gray
A LOT CAN HAPPEN in 10 years. Ten years go by, enough time for the world to change irrevocably. In 10 years a job can be outsourced, or made obsolete […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Murray’s defense fund grows with insider donations
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE TWO DAYS AFTERÂ she left office, capping a 22-year career in the state Legislature, former Senate President Therese Murray in January established a legal defense fund that […]
Posted inPolitics, The Download
Walsh claims he can’t grab texts, LOL
The Boston Globe and Mike Beaudet, a longtime investigative reporter for Fox 25 and journalism professor at Northeastern University, made multiple and separate requests for texts between Walsh and his chief […]
Posted inEnvironment
Baker shifts course, backs solar subsidy
THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION filed legislation on Friday that would expand the reach of a key solar subsidy but then attempt to rein in its cost after the state reaches its […]
Posted inHealth Care, Opinion
DPH press release understates growth in opioid deaths
THE STATE’S OPIOID EPIDEMIC is worsening much faster than the Department of Public Health (DPH) said this week in a press release. Over the last two years, there has been […]
Posted inHealth Care, Opinion
Sounds of health-care silence in GOP debate
I HAD ONE mission last night watching the Republican debate among the party’s top 10 presidential contenders: What, if anything, could we learn about the state of play regarding the […]
Posted inThe Download
Shaughnessy vs. Henry
John Henry owns the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Globe, which can make for some awkward moments at times. The coverage of Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Two cheers for a ‘dark money’ executive order
LAST WEEK, SUPER PACs disclosed their donors to the Federal Election Commission. The reports included important data and tell a story of the power of large donors. More than 30 […]