MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE budget writers on Thursday released a $46 billion spending proposal for the rest of the fiscal year, which includes no sweeping changes to tax or fiscal policy and adopts some increased protections for tenants applying for rental assistance. The budget, which adopts part of Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to accelerate the collection of […]
Massachusetts Legislature
Posted inPolitics
Biden wave in Mass. doesn’t translate in House
THE BLUE WAVE in Massachusetts for Joe Biden and the state’s congressional delegation didn’t translate into a sweep of House legislative races for Democrats. Republican state Rep. Leonard Mirra of Georgetown said the presidential race “made things more difficult for [local] Republicans this year,” but he held on to retain his seat, edging Democratic challenger […]
Posted inPolitics
Cronin declares victory; Sen. Tran not conceding
DEMOCRAT JOHN CRONIN was clinging to a tiny lead over Republican Sen. Dean Tran of Fitchburg early Wednesday morning, but Cronin said the trendlines were enough for him to declare victory. “We are confident based on the current tally and outstanding numbers to declare victory,” said Cronin. Tran did not concede and the Associated Press […]
Posted inUncategorized
DeLeo, Spilka promise abortion debate in lame duck session
A clarification has been added to this story about current law. MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka announced on Monday that the two branches will take up abortion access legislation during the lame duck session that runs until the end of the year. “We are very concerned that Massachusetts’ women’s reproductive rights […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote for climate and democracy
CLIMATE AND DEMOCRACY are on the ballot this fall for hundreds of thousands of voters across the Commonwealth. Voters in all or part of 44 communities (a complete list is at the bottom of this column) will have a chance to signal an instruction to their state representative to vote for 100 percent renewable energy […]
Posted inPolitics
Enviro groups split on state Senate battle
TWO OF THE STATE’S leading environmental groups are split on which candidate is the best to represent the Plymouth and Norfolk Senate district, which includes six coastal communities dealing with climate change and a town that is home to a controversial natural gas compressor station. The Environmental League of Massachusetts endorsed the Republican incumbent, Patrick […]
Posted inThe Download
Five candidates vie for North Shore seat
Rep. Ted Speliotis of Danvers is stepping down after 23 years in office, and the race to replace him has become one of the most interesting in the state. Five candidates are running for the office – a Democrat, a Republican, and three Independents not affiliated with any party. The crowded field raises all the […]
Posted inPolitics
5 candidates vie for North Shore seat
REP. TED SPELIOTIS of Danvers is stepping down after 23 years in office, and the race to replace him has become one of the most interesting in the state. Five candidates are running for the office – a Democrat, a Republican, and three Independents not affiliated with any party. The crowded field raises all the […]
Posted inEconomy
Added unemployment benefits pass swiftly
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS MANY AS 17,000 unemployed Massachusetts residents could become eligible for thousands of dollars in additional unemployment benefits under legislation that swept through the House and Senate and was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday to provide relief to residents who didn’t initially qualify for the federal Lost Wages Assistance […]
Posted inArts and Culture
Castle Rock’s impact called significant
A STUDY BILLED as the first of its kind indicates the initial season of Hulu’s Castle Rock television series received a projected $14.6 million in film tax credits from the state and generated $69 million of total economic output in Massachusetts – a return of $4.73 for every dollar of tax credit. The study is […]