The Download: Short takes: Josh Kraft for mayor?
Short takes: Josh Kraft for mayor?
Boston’s political rumor mill has churned for months about whether Josh Kraft, son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head of the organization’s philanthropic arm, is eyeing a campaign for mayor of Boston.
Remote work declining, traffic is not
When a new poll for the
Barr Foundation asked those surveyed to name the top transportation issue facing Massachusetts, 39 percent cited issues with the existing public transportation network. That was the clear top item, followed by traffic congestion at 21 percent.
Republicans spoil Democrats’ shelter crisis compromise
Democratic leaders finally reached a compromise on a $2.8 billion spending bill that includes $250 million for the state’s emergency shelter program, but they couldn’t win legislative approval for the measure because a small band of Republicans in the House refused to let it move forward in an informal session.
Soccer stadium plan kicked to the curb
Hopes for a soccer stadium home in Everett for the New England Revolution were dealt a big blow on Thursday as a budget deal between House and Senate negotiators left out a provision that would have streamlined zoning for a planned 25,000-seat venue along the Mystic River.
Minority-focused higher ed institutions should get more funding, report says
A new report says the state’s model for higher education should be reworked to better support public and private institutions serving large minority populations.
We’re losing ground when it comes to public health
Despite all of the health care advances over the last century, we are actually losing ground on important measures of population health.
House Republicans threaten to block action on spending plan
House Republicans indicated on Wednesday that they intend to block Democrats if they try to ram through a $2.8 billion closeout budget containing money for the state’s emergency shelter program during informal sessions between now and the beginning of January.
Healey polling lower than Baker on transportation
For her handling of the T specifically, about as many gave Healey a D (17 percent), or an F (13 percent) as gave her an A (6 percent) or B (24 percent).
SJC Justice Lowy to leave bench, take post as UMass counsel
Supreme Judicial Court Justice David Lowy will leave the bench on February 3 – well before the required retirement age of 70 – to serve as general counsel of the University of Massachusetts system.
Switchblades in the SJC firing line
The state’s highest court is preparing to consider whether an absolute ban on carrying switchblade knives violates the Second Amendment.
A statewide strategy for coastal resilience is on the way
A new regional coastal resiliency initiative launched on Wednesday, called “ResilientCoasts,” will coordinate with the state’s 78 coastal communities to develop “tailored” resiliency strategies.
Contemporations may work better than reparations
While reparations are typically linked to slavery or historic discrimination, contemporations focus on contemporary discrimination. With contemporations, there is no need to determine the responsible parties’ intention, only the impact of their decisions and actions on community and personal wealth.
Goldberg indicates meeting with O’Brien to be private
A spokesperson for the treasurer said the meeting would be private, suggesting the public will most likely remain in the dark about what led to O’Brien’s suspension more than two months ago.
John Walsh remembered as optimist who worked for change
Hundreds of people gathered in Faneuil Hall in Boston on Tuesday to remember John Walsh, a Democratic political strategist who is credited with reinvigorating campaigns with a focus on grass-roots organizing.
Lawmakers playing chicken on Beacon Hill
Two high-stakes games of chicken are playing out on Beacon Hill – one between top Democrats in the House and Senate and the other between Democrats and Republicans in both chambers.
We’re increasing access to child care for low-income Massachusetts families
The state and federal government have launched initiatives that will significantly improve child care financial assistance for low-income Massachusetts families.
Case dismissed in MBTA Alewife Garage crash
The MBTA wanted criminal charges to be filed against a man who tried to drive his car off the roof of the MBTA’s Alewife Garage in February, but a judge on Monday dismissed the case prior to arraignment.
Healey: T will ‘take care of business’ in short term, TBD on revenues
Bringing the MBTA up to state of good repair comes with a hefty price tag – $24.5 billion, according to a stunning announcement in mid-November – but Gov. Maura Healey says she’s confident in the agency’s assessment that riders won’t need to wait for an allocation of that size to see improvements.
Boston unveils new electricity supply rates
The city of Boston unveiled new, higher rates on Monday for the electricity being offered through its municipal aggregation plan, but the pricing was still below what most other suppliers are charging.
Building a safety culture in Massachusetts healthcare
This week, Paul Hattis and John McDonough of Health or Consequences are joined by Barbara Fain, executive director of the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety. They discuss the state of knowledge around medical care errors, as well as ongoing efforts to respond to and reduce it.