WHILE GOV. CHARLIE BAKER continues to resist imposing a statewide mask mandate for Massachusetts schools, new poll results show strong public support for such a measure. According to a new […]
Gov. Charlie Baker
Posted inEducation
Baker will not mandate masks in schools
THE MASSACHUSETTS Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Friday issued new guidance “strongly recommending” that elementary school students wear masks this fall, but leaving the decision up to individual […]
Posted inOpinion
SJC got Baker emergency orders case right
THERE ARE AT least two important takeaways from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Desrosiers v. Governor, in which the court upheld Gov. Charlie Baker’s authority to issue emergency […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Death of Fall River boy puts DCF in spotlight again
THESE FACTS ARE clear, according to the police: David Almond, a 14-year-old autistic boy, and his twin brother Michael, also autistic, were horribly neglected in the home where Almond’s father […]
Posted inUncategorized
What about the back rent?
THE EXTENSION THIS week by Gov. Charlie Baker of a statewide eviction moratorium to mid-October provides two more months of breathing room for tenants. The eviction freeze, put in place in April […]
Posted inEconomy
Mass. economy to reopen in four phases
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER announced plans on Monday for a cautious reopening of the Massachusetts economy, a process that will happen in phases and could be halted or even reversed if […]
Posted inThe Download
Eviction bill bounces back and forth on Beacon Hill
It may be the first test of the Legislature’s penchant for consensus on coronavirus-related bills. The Massachusetts House and Senate agree that there should be a pause on evictions and […]
Posted inPolitics
The rumor that won’t die — shelter in place
This story was updated Tuesday afternoon to include the governor’s latest denial and news that New York’s mayor is considering a shelter-in-place order. GOV. CHARLIE BAKER ON SUNDAY denied he was […]
Posted inThe Download
The rumor that won’t die — shelter in place
Gov. Charlie Baker on Sunday denied he was preparing to issue a 14-day shelter-in-place order, calling it “wild speculation.” On Monday, he dismissed the idea again, although he said he […]
Posted inTransportation
Baker pans tax, fee increases in House transportation bill
ONE DAY AFTER House leaders unveiled a $600 million transportation revenue bill, Gov. Charlie Baker poured cold water on the tax increases and fees the bill calls for to fund […]
Posted inEconomy
Upcoming tax debate awkward for GOP
As the House prepares to debate new funding sources for transportation, Massachusetts Republicans find themselves in an awkward situation. They generally oppose raising taxes, particularly the gas tax, but the […]
Posted inThe Download
Upcoming tax debate awkward for GOP
As the House prepares to debate new funding sources for transportation, Massachusetts Republicans find themselves in an awkward situation. They generally oppose raising taxes, particularly the gas tax, but the […]
Posted inEconomy
Vaping ban ends with mixed results
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH officials acknowledged that they still do not know what is causing lung injuries and illnesses among some people who vape, and reiterated that […]
Posted inTransportation
Spotlight Team takes on congestion
THE BOSTON GLOBE Spotlight Team, the same group that exposed corruption within the Catholic Church, turned its focus on Greater Boston traffic congestion on Tuesday. The first story in a three-part […]
Posted inThe Download
Spotlight Team takes on congestion
The Boston Globe Spotlight Team, the same group that exposed corruption within the Catholic Church, turned its focus on Greater Boston traffic congestion on Tuesday. The first story in a three-part […]
Posted inUncategorized
Baker vape ban similar to Zohydro order
IT’S MORE THAN a week into a four-month sales ban on all vaping products in Massachusetts, and Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration is already looking at two major lawsuits — one […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker vape ban similar to Zohydro order
It’s more than a week into a four-month sales ban on all vaping products in Massachusetts, and Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration is already looking at two major lawsuits — one […]
Posted inPolitics
Trump’s racist comments challenge Republicans, media
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley encouraged the public to “not take the bait,” yesterday, referring to a series of racist tweets from President Trump as a “disruptive distraction from the issues of […]
Posted inThe Download
Trump’s racist comments challenge Republicans, media
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley encouraged the public to “not take the bait,” yesterday, referring to a series of racist tweets from President Trump as a “disruptive distraction from the issues of […]
Posted inTransportation
Moderate Marty suddenly dials it up
TRYING TO PROTECT HIS left flank, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh jumped into the debate over the MBTA by calling for a local seat on the transit authority’s next oversight board […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker’s approach to T epitomizes his leadership style
Gov. Charlie Baker, Beacon Hill’s Mr. Fix-it, is taking a lot of heat over the Red Line derailment on Tuesday. A Boston Globe editorial – titled “Going off the rails […]
Posted inEconomy
State turns profit on GE HQ sale
MAYBE LESS IS MORE in Fort Point. Since announcing it would move to Boston in 2016, General Electric has scaled down the scope of its business, and on Thursday it […]
Posted inThe Download
State turns profit on GE HQ sale
Maybe less is more in Fort Point. Since announcing it would move to Boston in 2016, General Electric has scaled down the scope of its business, and on Thursday it […]
Posted inThe Download
Health care chairs vow action on price variation
The co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing may be new to their posts, but both seem to grasp the urgency of tackling big issues facing the […]