Updating the state’s Public Records Law is gaining some traction, at least in the media. The problems with the law — the lackadaisical enforcement, the high charges imposed for obtaining […]
Public records issue gets heavy coverage
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
Imagining the transportation nightmares of Cape Cod and Western Mass.
Transportation problems in places like Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts get overshadowed in the handwringing over how the state’s economic fortunes unravel when the metro Boston transit system is out […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
House seeks SJC ruling on Senate tax votes
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE on Friday asked the state’s highest court to weigh in on whether the Senate abided by the constitution in proposing to freeze […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics, Transportation
Senate T vote is cause for optimism
I’M A PESSIMIST BY NATURE, which has proven to be a generally good trait because it means that I’m rarely disappointed. Today, however, I’ve allowed myself to lapse into a […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service, Transportation
Senate approves tweaked T control board
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE late Thursday night agreed to put the MBTA under the management of a fiscal control board, tucking that measure into a $38.1 billion […]
Posted inOlympics, The Download
“Pom-Pom” Leung to the rescue
We’ll never know what the return would have been on the $7,500 a day Boston 2024 was prepared to pay Deval Patrick to shill for the Olympic bid. Let’s just […]
Posted inThe Back Story, Transportation
T union raises concern about outside contractor
THE MBTA RESTORED full service to the Orange Line in March but nevertheless shipped 24 disabled Orange Line traction motors to an outside contractor for repair. The T says it […]
Posted inThe Back Story, Transportation
T union raises concern with outside contractors
THE MBTA RESTORED full service to the Orange Line in March but nevertheless shipped 24 disabled Orange Line traction motors to an outside contractor for repair. The T says it […]
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
MBTA pawn in the House-Senate proxy war
With the backing of the most powerful man in the Beacon Hill triumvirate, Gov. Charlie Baker may be inching closer to the formation of a temporary fiscal and management control […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker has reservations on Senate tax plan
A DAY AFTER THE STATE SENATE took a major step towards accomplishing one of his tax policy priorities, Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday expressed disappointment that they didn’t match his […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, The Download
W. Springfield’s troublesome grenade launchers
As part of post-Ferguson policing reforms, President Obama cracked down on the transfer of military-grade equipment to police departments across the US with an executive order that prohibits sending items […]
Posted inEconomy, Opinion
Earned sick time is good for workers — and businesses
MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS PASSED the earned sick time ballot question by an overwhelming margin last November and the Commonwealth’s new earned sick time law is scheduled to begin on July 1. […]
Posted inEnvironment, Politics
Appeals court lets Cape Wind case proceed
CAPE WIND, already at death’s door in the wake of decisions by the state’s two largest utilities to terminate their power purchase contracts with the project, absorbed another blow on […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Senate backs boost in EITC, exemption
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE on Tuesday approved a package of tax cuts aimed at helping the working poor and middle class, dismissing objections from Republicans and some […]
Posted inThe Download, Transportation
Crunching the T’s numbers
In early April, the Boston Globe splashed a report across its front page about excessive absenteeism at the MBTA. Citing pages in a soon-to-be-released report from an advisory panel appointed by […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service, Transportation
Straus: Eliminating MBTA as separate agency should be long-term goal
THE BEACON HILL tug of war over the MBTA continues to pit those who support Gov. Charlie Baker’s call for a special fiscal control board against those who think an […]
Posted inThe Download
Olympic bid suddenly more sprint than marathon
True, the final decision about what city will host the 2024 Summer Olympics is still two years away. And even the sanctioning of Boston as the US Olympic Committee’s official […]
Posted inPolitics
House threatens legal action if Senate votes taxes
THE HOUSE AND SENATE may be headed for a bruising constitutional confrontation if the Senate next week approves budget amendments that raise or lower taxes. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and […]
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
Everett T land appraised at $2.76m
WYNN RESORTS PAID $6 million earlier this year for three small, vacant parcels of MBTA land in Everett that were appraised in 2013 for $2.76 million, according to documents released […]
Posted inEconomy, Health Care
Partners reports $17m second-quarter loss
PARTNERS HEALTHCARE reported on Friday that the tough winter weather took a financial toll on the health care giant, with a steep drop in outpatient care contributing to a $17 […]
Posted inPolitics, Transportation
New CW video: MBTA control board — savior or sideshow?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoON8bqCCqY
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service, The Download
Globe suits come with deep pockets
There was a time not so long ago that newspapers, from big to small, had the resources available to ensure that state and local agencies complied with open meeting and […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Tribe: Pull plug on electric table games
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS MASSACHUSETTS’ FIRST GAMBLING FACILITY prepares to open near the end of June, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is asking Attorney General Maura Healey to investigate gambling […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service, Transportation
McGee hedges on overturning union contract awards
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE SENATE’S POINT MAN on transportation issues hedged on Thursday on whether lawmakers will give the Massachusetts Department of Transportation board the power to reject an […]