SEVENTEEN MONTHS into a pandemic that has widened the cracks and brought new and renewed hardship to so many, we can plainly see that the systems that fell short before […]
Massachusetts politics
Posted inThe Download
Are voters ready to give Dems total control of Beacon Hill?
Over the last 30 years, voters in Massachusetts have been remarkably consistent, electing moderate Republicans as governor to serve as a counterbalance to the Democratic-controlled Legislature. The only exception to […]
Posted inPolitics
Dem candidates for governor pushing big, expensive ideas
OVER THE LAST 30 years, voters in Massachusetts have been remarkably consistent, electing moderate Republicans as governor to serve as a counterbalance to the Democratic-controlled Legislature. The only exception to […]
Posted inPolitics
In governor’s race, stark differences on early, higher ed
FOR SEVERAL YEARS, the dominant conflict on Beacon Hill was how to update funding for the state’s K-12 schools. Now that a new formula is in place, the next battle […]
Posted inThe Download
Boston isn’t the only city with a hot mayoral election
Eight Massachusetts cities are holding preliminary elections for mayor this month without an incumbent standing for reelection. The exodus of the eight incumbents, who occupy roughly a quarter of the […]
Posted inPolitics
Boston isn’t the only city with a hot mayoral election
EIGHT MASSACHUSETTS cities are holding preliminary elections for mayor this month without an incumbent standing for reelection. The exodus of the eight incumbents, who occupy roughly a quarter of the […]
Posted inPolitics
From gig economy to TCI, 30 ballot questions filed
PROPONENTS FILED 30 ballot questions with the attorney general’s office on Wednesday in an attempt to circumvent Beacon Hill and win approval directly from voters in 2022 for laws dealing with […]
Posted inThe Download
In Beacon Hill Twitter battle, State House News Service beats Gov. Baker
Sorry, Gov. Charlie Baker. You may hold the corner office, but you’re only the second most influential voice on Beacon Hill Twitter. First prize goes to the press. In particular, […]
Posted inThe Download
Souza victory unites Somerset Select Board
Kathy Souza, a candidate for Select Board in Somerset, was asked at a recent debate how she would heal the division in town over a scrap metal export operation at […]
Posted inPolitics
Souza victory unites Somerset Select Board
KATHY SOUZA, a candidate for Select Board in Somerset, was asked at a recent debate how she would heal the division in town over a scrap metal export operation at […]
Posted inEconomy
Sources: Boncore eyeing MassBio job
SEN. JOSEPH BONCORE of Winthrop is stepping down to take the top job at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, according to sources familiar with the senator’s thinking and media reports, although […]
Posted inOpinion
Politics doesn’t have to be about blood sport
THIS WEEK marks 40 weeks since I launched my campaign for mayor of Boston—the first of the 2021 election cycle—and just 11 weeks to go until the September preliminary election. […]
Posted inEnvironment, Politics
Environmental League targets muni light plants
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WHEN MARBLEHEAD voters get to the polls June 22, they’ll have their pick of candidates: 14 options for the Select Board, two choices for the School […]
Posted inPolitics
MassGOP drops plan targeting elected Republicans
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WITH MASSGOP Chairman Jim Lyons under fire from elected officials in his own party, the State Committee on Wednesday will no longer consider a proposal that […]
Posted inHealth Care, Politics
Healey expands call for mandatory vaccinations
ATTORNEY GENERAL Maura Healey, who has said COVID-19 vaccinations should be required for public employees, indicated on Wednesday that she believes inoculations should be mandatory for at least some private […]
Posted inOpinion
Are Spilka and Tarr PACs at risk?
ON APRIL 12, Bill Campbell took over as the new director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and immediately faced one of the most controversial political hot potatoes […]
Posted inPolitics
Is Janey in violation of the city charter?
WHAT’S IN A TITLE? Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey thinks a lot. Janey refers to herself as “Mayor Janey” in her bio and in the many press releases she puts […]
Posted inOpinion
Fattman campaign finance case is not unique
REWRITING CAMPAIGN finance rules after the fact can be a very dangerous game. If Michael Sullivan, the outgoing director of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF), sets a […]
Posted inOpinion
Fattman case is no gray area of the law
In an April 2 column in CommonWealth, Paul Craney makes two points, one personal and the other legal, in regards to a recent action that Sen. Ryan Fattman, his wife, […]
Posted inPolitics
Six legislative districts shift majority minority
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A NEW ANALYSIS shows that the populations of at least five state House of Representatives districts and one Senate district have moved from mostly white to […]
Posted inNews Analysis
Voters hold Beacon Hill in high esteem
POLITICS IS NOT all toxic. Here in Massachusetts, voters hold political leaders in very high regard. The state Legislature has climbed to 65 percent approval in a poll we released […]
Posted inPolitics
Healey sitting on large campaign war chest
ATTORNEY GENERAL Maura Healey is sitting on a mountain of campaign cash, raising the question of what she’s going to do with it. Healey’s campaign finance reports indicate she had […]
Posted inThe Download
Beacon Hill’s legislative chess match
In The Queen’s Gambit, the popular series on Netflix, the protagonist is constantly playing a game of what-if in her head, trying to envision what her opponent will do in […]
Posted inNews Analysis
Even in Mass., 1 in 4 think election not fair
JOE BIDEN won Massachusetts — by a lot, more even than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, more even than Barack Obama in 2012 or 2008. You have to go back […]