There is a struggle going on for the soul of the Massachusetts Republican Party between Trump loyalists who control the party apparatus and a more moderate brand of Republicanism espoused […]
Massachusetts politics
Posted inThe Download
Now there’s a name for ballot questions that improperly combine different, unrelated elements — they’re called Frankensteins. Business groups last year succeeded in blocking a ballot question proposing a millionaire’s […]
Posted inEconomy
Cumberland Farms ballot question called a Frankenstein
NOW THERE’S A NAME for ballot questions that improperly combine different, unrelated elements — they’re called Frankensteins. Business groups last year succeeded in blocking a ballot question proposing a millionaire’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. GOP building strong farm team
IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS a few weeks ago, Republican candidates won seats in key cities across the state, surprising many political watchers. In Fall River, Christopher Peckham was the first […]
Posted inOpinion
Is Baker launching a new state political party?
AFTER MONTHS OF CONFLICT between Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Republican Party, a powerful new super PAC that backs candidates Baker supports has stepped into public view and gotten […]
Posted inPolitics
Trahan changes tune on campaign cash
CONGRESSWOMAN LORI TRAHAN wouldn’t look as bad right now if she had accurately explained the source of a last minute campaign-cash infusion soon after she was first asked about it. From […]
Posted inThe Download
Trahan changes tune on campaign cash
Congresswoman Lori Trahan wouldn’t look as bad right now if she had accurately explained the source of a last minute campaign-cash infusion soon after she was first asked about it. […]
Posted inPolitics
PAC with ties to Baker getting active
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A NEW SUPER PAC closely tied to Gov. Charlie Baker and funded by a familiar ensemble of well-heeled GOP donors has been spending heavily this fall […]
Posted inPolitics
DeLeo-Kaufman tale pulls back curtain on Beacon Hill ways
AGAINST THE BACKDROP of the usual State House ways, where lawmakers rise to voice opposition to an amendment offered by “the gentleman from Boston,” or part ways with the view […]
Posted inThe Download
DeLeo-Kaufman tale pulls back curtain on Beacon HIll ways
Against the backdrop of the usual State House ways, where lawmakers rise to voice opposition to an amendment offered by “the gentleman from Boston,” or part ways with the view […]
Posted inPolitics
Ex-rep: DeLeo told me, vote for transpo bill or lose chairmanship
JAY KAUFMAN, THE former state rep from Lexington, remembers a conversation he had with House Speaker Robert DeLeo the last time the Legislature considered raising taxes to pay for transportation. […]
Posted inThe Download
Ex-rep: DeLeo told me, vote for transpo bill or lose chairmanship
Jay Kaufman, the former state rep from Lexington, remembers a conversation he had with House Speaker Robert DeLeo the last time the Legislature considered raising taxes to pay for transportation. […]
Posted inOpinion
Kennedy bid is not what Dems need right now
CONGRESSMAN JOE KENNEDY recently formally announced his candidacy for the US Senate, challenging Senator Ed Markey’s bid for reelection. When speculation about the challenge came out a few weeks ago, […]
Posted inPolitics
Polito deals with Governor’s Council anger
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A RAUCOUS GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL hearing and assembly ended Wednesday with two members walking out of the meeting after a third councilor suggested he’d try to block […]
Posted inThe Download
O’Connell has a leg up in Taunton race
Republican Rep. Shaunna O’Connell always seems to be one step ahead in the race to succeed Thomas Hoye Jr. as mayor of Taunton. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito in January broached […]
Posted inOpinion
Enviros tell Kennedy to stay where he is
RECENT NEWS REPORTS have suggested that US Rep. Joe Kennedy III is seriously considering challenging Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. We are writing to say, in no uncertain […]
Posted inPolitics
Boston Calling verdict could have legs
TWELVE JURORS took six hours to convict two Boston City Hall aides, closing another chapter in federal prosecutors’ long-running effort to police Massachusetts government and politics. Ken Brissette and Timothy […]
Posted inThe Download
Boston Calling verdict could have legs
Twelve jurors took six hours to convict two Boston City Hall aides, closing another chapter in federal prosecutors’ long-running effort to police Massachusetts government and politics. Ken Brissette and Timothy […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker gave a ‘courtesy’ heads-up to O’Connell
THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION notified Rep. Shauna O’Connell ahead of time that the governor was appointing the mayor of Taunton as the interim register of probate in Bristol County, but officials […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker, citing privacy concerns, vetoes Janus bill
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE GOV. CHARLIE BAKER vetoed a bill Friday that would allow unions to charge non-union employees fees for representing them in certain labor disputes, challenging the House […]
Posted inPolitics
Lawmakers eat away at transparency
WE’RE PRETTY SURE it’s not what our friends at State House News Service had in mind when they dubbed their weekly podcast “State House Takeout.” And if lawmakers haven’t budged on […]
Posted inPolitics
Baker flunks driver’s license test
THE REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES, with its interminable waiting time and paperwork, has long been the state bureaucracy bane of drivers’ existence. Now it’s proving to be the same for […]
Posted inPolitics
Embedded AG fellows raise concerns
A NONPROFIT BACKED with money from Michael Bloomberg is paying the salaries of 14 lawyers who are working on environmental and climate change issues for Democratic attorneys general around the […]
Posted inPolitics
Healey vs. Trump
IN A 2016 FUNDRAISING PITCH just after Donald Trump was elected president, Attorney General Maura Healey said she wouldn’t hesitate to take the incoming president to court if he carried […]
