THE US SUPREME COURT dealt advocates of canceling student debt a blow when the justices knocked down President Biden’s program as unconstitutional last June. Local advocates have reworked their focus. […]
Gintautas Dumcius
Posted inCourts
Short takes: Extended hunt for SJC justice
“Third time’s the charm” is a proverb, not necessarily a legal doctrine. Even so, the team tasked by Gov. Maura Healey to help fill an upcoming vacancy on the state’s highest court is again extending the application deadline for people interested in becoming a justice on the Supreme Judicial Court.
Posted inBy The Numbers
Mass. residents say they support right-to-shelter law, sort of
Massachusetts residents are strongly in favor of the state’s unique right-to-shelter law, but there is significantly less support for the law being used to provide emergency housing for migrants, according to a new CommonWealth Beacon poll.
Posted inPolitics
Wu-aligned unions funnel cash into super PAC backing Boston council candidate
Four left-leaning unions closely aligned with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu are directing money to a newly formed outside super PAC that is backing Boston City Council candidate Henry Santana, a former Wu aide who is considered a top hopeful for one of the four at-large seats in the November 7 election.
Posted inHousing
Ruling coming in emergency shelter suit
A SUPERIOR COURT judge is expected to rule by the end of the day Wednesday on whether to block Gov. Maura Healey from putting a cap on shelter placements and waitlist families looking for emergency shelter.
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: It’s Baker vs. Healey (in state Senate race)
IT WAS THE MARQUEE showdown for governor that never happened. For months, Republican Charlie Baker kept political watchers guessing whether he’d seek a third term as governor. On the Democratic […]
Posted inPolitics
Black Lives Matter comment stirs Boston City Council race
A TOP CONTENDER for one of Boston’s four City Council at-large seats is drawing heat for stating Black Lives Matter set race relations back 50 years. Bridget Nee-Walsh, a union […]
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: Retired reporter’s scoops keep people clicking
EVEN BEFORE TWITTER changed hands to its current owner, who insists on calling it by another name, the social networking site was in a state of decline. What used to […]
Posted inPolitics
Clashes over Israel-Hamas war reach Boston’s City Council
THE IMAGES FROM the Israel-Hamas war have ripped through social media, sparking arguments and proclamations on Facebook, Instagram, and the platform formerly known as Twitter. Locally, the conflict has split […]
Posted inHousing, State Government
Healey to unveil $4.1 billion housing bond bill
EASING RULES ON building accessory dwelling units, or “granny flats.” Allowing cities and towns to impose real estate transfer fees. A new “momentum fund” aimed at attracting private capital. Those […]
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: Echoes of Menino’s closest race in Quincy
A 16-YEAR INCUMBENT looking for another four-year term. An at-large councilor seeking to harness the votes of young progressives in a bid for the top job. The 2009 showdown between […]
Posted inGambling, State House News Service
Ethics complaint against Gaming commission chair dismissed
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE With the first slot parlor authorized under a 2011 law set to open in less than a week, the chair of the state Gaming Commission said Thursday an […]
Posted inGambling, State House News Service
Crosby denies wrongdoing at Gaming Commission
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE GAMING COMMISSION CHAIR STEPHEN CROSBY, under scrutiny for a potential conflict of interest during the awarding of an eastern Massachusetts casino license, adamantly denied any wrongdoing […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, State House News Service
Sentencing reform takes over Beacon Hill
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE STATE’S TOP JUDGE AND PROSECUTORS, who are sparring over sentencing reform proposals, brought their battle to Beacon Hill on Tuesday as activists flooded the capitol […]
Posted inGambling, State House News Service
Walsh calls for reset on Boston casino license
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE BOSTON MAYOR MARTY WALSH, who is waging a legal battle against state gambling regulators, insisted again on Monday that the state may have to push the […]
Posted inEconomy, Olympics, Politics
New Bedford proposed as site of Olympic sailing
THE GROUP ATTEMPTING to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Boston said Thursday that New Bedford will serve as the venue for Olympic and Paralympic sailing if their bid is […]
Posted inEnvironment, State House News Service
Healey backs lifting cap on solar subsidy
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY said Monday she backs an immediate lifting of the cap on one type of solar production subsidies in Massachusetts. In written testimony […]
Posted inGambling, Politics, State House News Service
Wynn plans new environmental filing this summer
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WYNN RESORTS OFFICIALS who plan to build a $1.7 billion resort casino in Everett expect to provide a key filing for their controversial project sometime this […]
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 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
GOP not pushing for House roll calls
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE HOUSE REPUBLICANS THIS WEEK repeatedly opted not to support requests for roll call votes on several controversial budget amendments, prompting one outspoken GOP rep to question […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
Union chief criticizes T’s commuter rail oversight
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A TRANSPORTATION UNION chief laid into the MBTA on Tuesday, referring to new equipment as “wrecks on wheels” and charging the transit agency with micro-managing the […]
Posted inOlympics, State House News Service
Boston 2024 backs state referendum
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE CHIEF BACKER of a Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics is now supporting the idea of a 2016 referendum on the bid. Suffolk Construction […]
Posted inState House News Service, Transportation
$5m offered as compensation for poor transit service
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE PUBLIC TRANSIT RIDERS will see free access to the MBTA and the commuter rail for one day, while corporate and other passholders will see a 15 […]