Two high-stakes games of chicken are playing out on Beacon Hill – one between top Democrats in the House and Senate and the other between Democrats and Republicans in both chambers.
State Government
Posted inEnvironment
Climate report calls for decarbonization cost tally
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE MASSACHUSETTS NEEDS to shift from an era of statewide planning for climate policy to the key details of implementing it, according to a new report from the state’s top climate official, which includes sweeping recommendations to accelerate the state’s progress toward its emissions reduction goals. Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer recommends some […]
Posted inPolitics
Fattmans, AG reach settlement, agree to pay $192,000
ATTORNEY GENERAL Andrea Campbell on Tuesday released a settlement agreement with Sen. Ryan Fattman and his wife Stephanie Fattman, the register of probate in Worcester County, in which the couple admits to no wrongdoing in connection with a series of campaign finance transactions while agreeing to pay the state $192,000. Campbell issued a statement suggesting […]
Posted inHousing, Immigration
Don’t count on feds for shelter funding, Healey told
GOV. MAURA HEALEY’S call for a cap on the state’s emergency shelter program received tepid support on Monday from the Senate president and House speaker, who said the federal solution the governor is hoping for to address the influx of migrants is unlikely to materialize any time soon because of the leadership void in the […]
Posted inOpinion
Backroom deal for Everett soccer stadium in works again
THE BUNKER HILL monument in Charlestown is a symbol of democracy’s promise, but it may soon be overshadowed – literally — by a colossal monument in nearby Everett to democracy’s failings. That’s because Beacon Hill legislators have been busy working behind the scenes on a stealth budget amendment that would override current zoning of 43 […]
Posted inOpinion
What does the Legislature have to hide?
AS SURVIVORS of workplace sexual harassment who lead an organization dedicated to eradicating workplace toxicity, we know the pernicious effects of sweeping bad behavior under the rug. It may be one of the most damaging tacks to take when it comes to problematic work environments. Only those with a reason to keep something hidden oppose […]
Posted inEducation
Civics education gets boost from veto override
MATT WILSON calls it an example of “civics in action.” After Gov. Maura Healey vetoed $1 million from the budget appropriation for a fund dedicated to expanding civics education in the state, a coalition of nonprofits, educators, and other groups focused on civics education sprang into action, meeting with legislative leaders and urging lawmakers to […]
Posted inOpinion
End the discriminatory treatment of farmworkers
THIS SEASON’S TORRENTIAL, climate-driven rain and floods devastated the Massachusetts farm economy, damaging over 110 farms, 2700 acres and causing millions in crop losses. Fortunately, the state and federal governments, as well as individuals and philanthropies, quickly responded to farmers’ pleas for emergency relief. Those responses should be loudly applauded. But what about farmworkers? Recall […]
Posted inOpinion
DPU, energy siting board need to change their ways
SOMETHING IS MISSING from our roadmap to net-zero emissions: the input of the people living in communities that will be most impacted by our future energy decisions. Why are their voices going unheard? It’s not for a lack of trying. Rather, it is a result of the opaque, highly technical, and largely inaccessible decision-making structures […]
Posted inState Government
Healey greenlighting state tax breaks
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE GOV. MAURA HEALEY’S office on Tuesday announced the governor will sign into law a wide-ranging tax relief package lawmakers sent her last week, punctuating more than a year and a half of deliberations that began under former Gov. Charlie Baker and became a centerpiece of Healey’s campaign. Healey plans to host […]