WHEN MAURA HEALEY takes office in January, it will mark only the second time in 32 years that a Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled Legislature will exercise one-party rule in Massachusetts. The state has had a persistent habit of putting Republicans in the corner office, while giving Democrats supermajorities in the House and Senate. So will […]
Government
Posted inState Government
Baker again clashes with lawmakers on abortion-related law
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday signed a $3.76 billion economic development bill. But Baker, a Republican, once again entered into a controversy with the Democratic-led Legislature over reproductive rights by vetoing an education campaign about crisis pregnancy centers. Crisis pregnancy centers are organizations, often faith-based, that provide resources to pregnant women and counsel them about […]
Posted inNews Analysis
One-party rule returns to Beacon Hill
FOR DECADES IT has served as a winning argument for electing Republican governors in deep-blue Massachusetts: A Republican in the corner office is a sensible check on the impulses of the Democratic-dominated Legislature. In January, however, that equation will be scrambled for only the second time in 32 years, with Democratic attorney general Maura Healey […]
Posted inGovernment, State Government
Baker, Healey pledge smooth transition of power
REPUBLICAN GOV. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito on Wednesday stood side by side in the governor’s office with Democratic Gov.-elect Maura Healey and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll and pledged a smooth transition of power between administrations. Over the next couple of months, Baker said to Healey, “We’ll be working to make sure your […]
Posted inNews Analysis
Election winners and losers
GO TO CommonWealth’s homepage for stories on the big races, including Maura Healey’s historic victory in the race for governor. What else did we learn from Tuesday’s election about the big winners and losers? SMASHING THE CEILING Women were big winners in Massachusetts, as Healey led a statewide Democratic ticket to victory that will result […]
Posted inImmigration, Politics, State Government
Voters approve millionaires tax, retain driver’s license law for immigrants
MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS DELIVERED a double victory to two progressive causes on Tuesday, approving by narrow margins ballot questions to impose a new income tax surcharge on high earners and to retain a recently passed law that will allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. The two high-profile ballot questions, which at times seemed to draw […]
Posted inPolitics
Healey elected first female, gay Massachusetts governor
MAURA HEALEY shattered a glass ceiling on Tuesday in a landslide, becoming the first woman ever elected governor in Massachusetts. She topped a Democratic ticket that elected three new women to statewide office, including the first Black woman to hold a statewide position, and extend Democratic control to every single constitutional office. Healey, who […]
Posted inCourts, State Government
Lawsuit seeks to recoup stolen food benefits
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS who have had their food benefits stolen filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to require the state to repay the lost aid money. The suit filed by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute against the Department of Transitional Assistance tries to help an estimated thousands of Massachusetts families who had food stamp benefits stolen by […]
Posted inPolitics
Fair Share amendment could address decades of systemic inequities
MUCH OF THE public debate over the Fair Share Amendment, Question 1 on the November ballot, has focused on the impact it would have on those who will pay more from the Amendment’s 4 percent tax on annual income over $1 million to fund transportation and public education. After much debate, the facts are clear: […]
Posted inPolitics
Galvin predicts low turnout in low-intensity election
SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH Bill Galvin on Monday predicted low turnout in what he described as a low-intensity election this Tuesday, with voters more motivated by the ballot questions than by any of the candidates in the top statewide races. “It doesn’t seem at this point there’s tremendous enthusiasm to this election,” Galvin said at […]