STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WITH THE COVID-19 pandemic’s two-year anniversary approaching, legislative leaders lifted the mask mandate and proof-of-vaccination-or-negative-test requirement for entry into the State House, starting on Monday. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka cited a “steady decline in COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations” in making their announcement. “While some individuals […]
Compiled by CommonWealth
Posted inOpinion
Correspondence, Spring 2017
MILLIONAIRE’S TAX IS FAIR In his recent piece in CommonWealth regarding the proposed Fair Share Amendment, or “millionaire’s tax,” Edward M. Murphy clearly understands why the amendment is necessary (“Dump the millionaire tax,” Winter ’17). He is right that the $1.9 billion that would be generated by the tax “could make a real difference” in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Drug Addiction, Opinion
Sununu, Rivera vow to work together on drugs
Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire and Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera talked by phone on Thursday after Sununu had claimed that most of the drugs flowing into the Granite State were coming from Lawrence. Below are the statements the two officials released following the phone call. Rivera’s statement, which includes a number of grammatical and […]
Posted inOpinion
Correspondence, Winter 2017
Crime and punishment It seems like kids growing up in neighborhoods like this have a really tough choice: “Fit in” with those causing trouble or follow the law but potentially risk their own safety. This sounds like another example of where mandatory minimums do more harm than good. This kid wanted to stay out of […]
Posted inEnvironment, Opinion
We must preserve nuclear power plants
The following is a letter sent to Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg by a group of scientists, environmentalists, and academics. As scientists, environmentalists and concerned citizens, we urge you to include nuclear power among the sources of clean energy eligible for support in Massachusetts law, particularly in the […]
Posted inOpinion
Lift net metering cap, help low-income communities
What follows is a letter sent to state leaders on Wednesday by a large number of religious leaders, community groups, and academics. AS COMMUNITY LEADERS, religious and spiritual leaders, community development organizations, academics, and researchers, we urge you to take immediate action to lift the net metering caps and maintain access to the benefits of […]
Posted inGambling, Politics
Healey, Pollack at odds over casino
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER, a Republican, and Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, are two of the most popular politicians in the state, so when they disagree they tend to tread very carefully. The Baker administration, through secretary of energy and environmental affairs Matthew Beaton, is expected on Friday to decide whether Wynn Resorts is deserving […]
Posted inGambling, Opinion
Two views of the Wynn casino
FREDERICK SALVUCCI Salvucci is a senior lecturer at MIT and a former state transportation secretary. He was asked by the city of Somerville to critique the casino’s transportation impact and he also advised Attorney General Maura Healey, whose views echo many of his concerns. He submitted an 11-page analysis and a three-page summary to Energy […]