The proposals sparked a heated local debate as sluggish state aid growth and strict limits on local tax increases continue to trap many local governments in a difficult position with few options to manage rising costs.
Senate
Posted inState Government
Senate extends 20-cent fee on ride services
The Senate on Thursday passed a Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Brendan Crighton amendment — within a bundle of other amendments adopted on a single voice vote — to its surtax supplemental budget that would preserve the existing fee structure by eliminating the sunset clause in the 2016 law.Â
Posted inState Government
Senate staff get raises and pay scale changes – but no union
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE staff seeking to unionize have gotten a big portion of what they want – minus the union. Senate President Karen Spilka on Wednesday announced a new compensation system […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Senate passes police reform bill in marathon session
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE SENATE OVERCAME a difficult rollout and several false starts to pass a far-reaching reform of policing in Massachusetts on Tuesday that would ban chokeholds, limit […]
Posted inPolitics
Senate ousts Brady from chairmanship
This story was updated to reflect the vote Thursday night of the full Senate. THE SENATE OUSTED Sen. Michael Brady from his position as chairman of the Public Service Committee […]
Posted inPolitics
In Mass., white pols dominate state and local politics
THE PREDOMINANCE OF white male politicians in positions of power in Massachusetts may be a symptom of the way elections are run, according to a report released Wednesday entitled MassForward. […]
Posted inTransportation
Senate passes distracted driving bill unanimously
LEGISLATION TO CRACK down on cellphone use by drivers breezed through the Senate on Thursday, setting up a debate with the House over how concerns about racial profiling should be […]
Posted inPolitics
Senate trying to limit policy proposals in budget
THIS YEAR THE annual spending bill may be just that. While the budget process is only about halfway through, the leadership of both legislative branches appears determined to focus on […]
Posted inTransportation
Senate takes on racial profiling, again, in distracted driving bill
THE SENATE WAYS AND MEANS Committee unanimously endorsed legislation on Thursday banning handheld cell phone use by drivers and requiring law enforcement to collect racial data on every traffic stop. […]
Posted inPolitics
Senate ups ante in battle with House
IN A SHARP escalation of the infighting gripping Beacon Hill, the Senate took a major step Wednesday toward remaking the legislative process by ending the longstanding system of joint committees […]