A BILL OVERHAULING the state’s fractured public health system appears to have become a casualty of the last-minute legislative rush to pass bills in the final days of the legislative session. Gov. Charlie Baker returned the bill to the Legislature with an amendment on Monday night. By Tuesday, public health advocates and lawmakers had come […]
Government
Posted inEnergy, Environment, State Government
Baker says climate change bill is giving him agita
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER indicated on Tuesday he is having difficulty reaching a decision on whether to sign the climate change/energy bill the Legislature sent him. At a press availability, Baker said he has major concerns about a provision in the bill that would allow 10 communities to experiment with banning fossil fuel infrastructure in new […]
Posted inPolitics
Dempsey, DiZoglio debate NDAs, Massport ‘model’
THE TWO CANDIDATES for state auditor squared off in a televised debate Monday night that ranged all over the map, but two exchanges between Christopher Dempsey and Sen. Diana DiZoglio showcased their different styles and priorities. DiZoglio’s primary issue in her past legislative campaigns and in her run for auditor has been nondisclosure agreements, or […]
Posted inHealth, State Government
Baker returns public health bill unsigned
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Monday refused to sign a bill overhauling the state’s public health system, instead returning it to the Legislature with an amendment. The intention of the bill had been to introduce state funding and state standards into a system that has until now been controlled entirely by local governments. Baker, worried about […]
Posted inPolitics, Public Records, State Government
Tanisha Sullivan, Bill Galvin go head to head in testy debate
THE TWO DEMOCRATS running for secretary of the Commonwealth met in a testy debate Monday, which highlighted a fundamental disagreement over the nature of the job itself. Tanisha Sullivan, the Boston NAACP head who is challenging Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin in the Democratic primary, is pushing for a far more expansive vision of […]
Posted inOpinion
Senate president is our employer, she should talk to us
IN MARCH of this year, a majority of Senate staff came forward to announce our decision to form a union. Our unionization drive is a historic effort, and we’re proud of that. We also recognize that there will inevitably be questions and challenges to work through. Some such questions were raised by former Senate president […]
Posted inState Government
Could tax cap influence fight over millionaire tax?
THE RESURFACING of the long-dormant tax cap after 35 years was enough to kill the Legislature’s $1 billion tax relief initiative. Now some are wondering whether the cap can also put a dent in the momentum behind a constitutional amendment appearing on the November ballot to create a millionaire tax. The tax cap limits how […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Baker vetoes prison moratorium
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday vetoed a five-year moratorium on new prison construction, citing concerns that it would constrain the state from moving forward with several planned prison improvement projects. The moratorium was included in a $5.1 billion bond bill for projects related to government operations, which Baker signed. “These improvements require facility modifications that […]
Posted inState Government
Correction on tax cap giveback story
CommonWealth published a story Thursday evening incorrectly suggesting the tax cap giveback was not going to be as big as the Baker administration forecasted last week. The story was based on new revenue numbers released Thursday by the Department of Revenue. Those numbers for total tax revenue in fiscal year 2022 were lower than what […]
Posted inEconomy
After 2020 ballot question, Right to Repair still tied up in court
IN NOVEMBER 2020, Massachusetts voters passed a ballot question that would expand the state’s Right to Repair law. Three-quarters of voters agreed that car manufacturers need to give telematic data – data obtained by the manufacturer through a wireless transmitter in a car – to independent repair shops if the information is needed to do […]