VOTERS IN SOMERSET on Monday ousted from the Select Board a leader of the successful effort to shut down a controversial scrap metal export business at Brayton Point, a move […]
Massachusetts politics
Posted inThe Download
Bump says auditor cannot audit Legislature
Back in 2010, the last time the state auditor’s job was up for grabs, CommonWealth went out on the hustings to see what the candidates were talking about. It turned […]
Posted inPolitics
Bump says auditor cannot audit Legislature
BACK IN 2010, the last time the state auditor’s job was up for grabs, CommonWealth went out on the hustings to see what the candidates were talking about. It turned […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Republican accuses Dems of flipflopping on staff unionization
DURING A DEBATE on House rules in January 2019, Rep. Shawn Dooley, a Norfolk Republican, introduced an amendment that would allow House employees to unionize. The amendment was overwhelmingly rejected, […]
Posted inOpinion
DiZoglio vows to audit the Legislature if elected auditor
I WAS DISAPPOINTED by Bruce Mohl’s recent post in CommonWealth magazine relative to the Massachusetts auditor’s race entitled, “Standing up campaign promises of auditor candidates.” A more fitting title might […]
Posted inPolitics
Chang-Diaz, Healey wrangling over debates
THE TWO DEMOCRATIC gubernatorial candidates continued to wrangle over debates on Thursday, with Attorney General Maura Healey agreeing to two debates after the convention in June and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz […]
Posted inThe Download
Standing up campaign promises of auditor candidates
The candidates for auditor, particularly the two Democrats, make the office seem pretty sexy. Chris Dempsey, a leading transportation advocate who previously led the successful fight to prevent the Olympics […]
Posted inPolitics
Standing up campaign promises of auditor candidates
THE CANDIDATES for auditor, particularly the two Democrats, make the office seem pretty sexy. Chris Dempsey, a leading transportation advocate who previously led the successful fight to prevent the Olympics […]
Posted inThe Download
Waiting for the governor’s race to get going
When Sonia Chang-Diaz challenged Maura Healey to agree to a series of three televised debates prior to the Democratic state convention in June, some political analysts dismissed the move as […]
Posted inThe Download
Markey, Warren throw some political weight around
It was a bone-chilling Saturday morning in late November, and Ed Markey was gripping the microphone as the wind whipped across the Chelsea Creek in East Boston behind him. Though […]
Posted inPolitics
Markey, Warren throw some political weight around
IT WAS A BONE-CHILLING Saturday morning in late November, and Ed Markey was gripping the microphone as the wind whipped across the Chelsea Creek in East Boston behind him. Though […]
Posted inPolitics
Liquor license ballot question has layers of controversy
NURSE STAFFING ratios. Right to repair. Zoning reform. Almost every election, there is at least one ballot question that defies easy explanation and generally boils down to a dispute among […]
Posted inThe Download
Chang-Diaz aims for big, progressive change
State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz’s mother was a social worker, who helped women and children living on the margins overcome systemic barriers. Her father was a Costa Rican-born NASA astronaut who […]
Posted inPolitics
Chang-Diaz aims for big, progressive change
STATE SEN. SONIA CHANG-DIAZ’S mother was a social worker, who helped women and children living on the margins overcome systemic barriers. Her father was a Costa Rican-born NASA astronaut who […]
Posted inThe Download
GOP gov hopeful Doughty taps former rep as unofficial running mate
Can a largely unknown gubernatorial candidate, who is the underdog in a primary race in a cratering political party, get a little oomph by announcing that a largely unknown former […]
Posted inThe Download
Rollins reforms loom over Suffolk DA race
RACHAEL ROLLINS’S name won’t be on the ballot this year, but her approach to prosecution in Suffolk County may end up being front and center. Rollins – both by personality […]
Posted inThe Download
Words matter, particularly with poll questions
Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story gave the incorrect date for the initial poll on the so-called millionaire tax. The two polls were a year […]
Posted inPolitics
Words matter, particularly with poll questions
Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story gave the incorrect date for the initial poll on the so-called millionaire tax. The two polls were a year […]
Posted inPolitics
Meet Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne
One in series looking at newly elected mayors across Massachusetts. FORMER SOMERVILLE mayor Joe Curtatone was known statewide for his harsh criticism of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, and his pithy soundbites […]
Posted inThe Download
Labor unions top PAC fundraising
Organized labor, always a powerful force in Democratic-dominated Massachusetts, continues to hold sway heading into the 2022 election season – and nowhere is that clearer than in fundraising. The Office […]
Posted inPolitics
Labor unions top PAC fundraising
ORGANIZED LABOR, always a powerful force in Democratic-dominated Massachusetts, continues to hold sway heading into the 2022 election season – and nowhere is that clearer than in fundraising. The Office […]
Posted inPolitics
New Lawrence mayor says it’s now the people’s turn
One in a series on newly-elected mayors in the Commonwealth. LAWRENCE MAYOR Brian A. DePeña is a bit of a throwback. He likes to meet one-on-one with his constituents, holding […]
Posted inPolitics
Package stores pushing ‘compromise’ ballot question
RYAN MALONEY, the owner of Julio’s Liquors in Westborough, Massachusetts, sits in his office with a baseball cap hanging behind him that says, “Alcohol you later.” He looks a visitor […]
Posted inPolitics
Allen unveils democracy agenda for Mass.
DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL candidate Danielle Allen unveiled a democracy agenda on Wednesday, outlining a host of initiatives to encourage greater voter participation and civic involvement and reduce the influence of money […]
