STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE RECORD-BREAKING SNOWFALL totals are stressing roofs across Massachusetts, hurting retailers, and eating into time Gov. Charlie Baker expected would be spent on his first state budget proposal and other aspects of leading the state. “It’s true for us. It’s true for local officials. It’s true for parents. It’s true for municipalities. […]
Andy Metzger
Andy Metzger is currently studying law at Temple University in Philadelphia. Previously, he joined CommonWealth Magazine as a reporter in January 2019. He has covered news in Massachusetts since 2007. For more than six years starting in May 2012 he wrote about state politics and government for the State House News Service. At the News Service, he followed three criminal trials from opening statements to verdicts, tracked bills through the flumes and eddies of the Legislature, and sounded out the governor’s point of view on a host of issues – from the proposed Olympics bid to federal politics.
Before that, Metzger worked at the Chelmsford Independent, The Arlington Advocate, the Somerville Journal and the Cambridge Chronicle, weekly community newspapers that cover an array of local topics. Metzger graduated from UMass Boston in 2006. In addition to his written journalism, Metzger produced a work of illustrated journalism about Gov. Charlie Baker’s record regarding the MBTA. He lives in Somerville and commutes mainly by bicycle.
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
DeLeo has lots of jobs to hand out
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE RECENTLY GRANTED THE ability to hold his office indefinitely, House Speaker Robert DeLeo has 10 empty chairmanships to fill, along with a leadership position and the assistant vice-chairmanship of the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means. Departures from the House during the 2013-2014 session have given DeLeo an opportunity to […]
Posted inEconomy, State House News Service
GIC needs $120m more to cover shortfall
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE The state commission that oversees public employee health insurance coverage will likely need at least $120 million in additional funding this fiscal year, a request that would contribute to ongoing state budget problems. “It’s probably going to be north of $120 million,” Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Executive Director Dolores Mitchell told […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Warren on prez run: ‘No means no’
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE If Sen. Elizabeth Warren breaks from her firm public stance and runs for president, she will have the backing of Congressman Michael Capuano, who said Monday that he offered his assistance without “trying to pry” into her intentions. “I have spoken to her. I have not asked her for any response. […]
Posted inState House News Service, Transportation
Feds set to provide $1b for Green Line extension
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE The Federal Transit Administration plans to provide nearly $1 billion in funding for the $2.3 billion Green Line Extension project, which will bring trolley service through Somerville to Medford. Acting FTA Administrator Therese McMillan wrote to a US Senate committee on Monday, informing members that the federal government planned to provide […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Jacques blames job loss on Patrick retaliation
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Cheryl Jacques, an administrative judge and former lawmaker, is preparing to sue Gov. Deval Patrick, claiming he nominated someone else to replace her at the Department of Industrial Accidents as retaliation for a gender discrimination lawsuit she and two other judges filed against the agency. The lawsuit against the Department […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Mulligan testimony likely untruthful – defense lawyers
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Defense attorneys, who represent three former probation officials convicted of secretly rigging the hiring system, are accusing former Chief Justice of Administration and Management Robert Mulligan of “likely” testifying untruthfully in the trial. Mulligan was a key witness in the trial of former Probation Commissioner John O’Brien and two former deputies, […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Falchuk loses court bid to gain debate access
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE After his attempt to secure a court order requiring debate organizers to include him in a Monday night event was denied, independent gubernatorial candidate Evan Falchuk said he was disappointed but moving forward with his campaign. “I still believe our argument was a strong one. If I had been the judge […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
Attorney: Globe column targeted Probation jury
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE On the second day of jury deliberations in the probation trial, one of the defense attorneys accused the Boston Globe of an “attempt to manipulate the criminal justice system” by printing a front-page column with a strong take on the allegations. Jurors began discussions Wednesday aiming to determine whether former Probation […]
Posted inPolitics, State House News Service
DeLeo says he didn’t trade jobs for votes
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he never traded jobs for votes in 2007 and 2008 when court testimony indicates he offered lawmakers the opportunity to make job recommendations for positions in the state Probation Department. Four current and former representatives have testified in the ongoing criminal trial of former Probation commissioner […]