BOSTON MAYOR Michelle Wu took office promising greater transparency in her administration, but one barometer of her performance indicates she still has some work to do. Aides say the city has received 3,500 public records requests since Wu took office in November. Of that total, 98 were appealed to the secretary of state’s office because […]
Government
Posted inPolitics
A balancing act from front-runner Healey
MAURA HEALEY, who launched her campaign for governor in January with a modulated message vowing to continue what’s working and change what isn’t, swept the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s convention endorsement, vowing to be a champion for those left behind or left out. The two-term attorney general won the Democratic Party endorsement by a wide margin […]
Posted inState Government
RMV vendor says 53,000 driver’s licenses, IDs need to be replaced
A VENDOR of the Registry of Motor Vehicles said it printed 53,680 driver’s licenses and identification cards incorrectly over the last couple months and starting Monday will begin mailing replacement cards to the individuals affected. State officials late Friday afternoon released a statement put out by the vendor, a company called IDEMIA, which blamed the […]
Posted inPolitics
For Mass. Democrats, a troubling gap between party platform and practice
THIS WEEKEND, thousands of Democrats from across the Commonwealth will be descending upon Worcester (or joining virtually) for the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s annual convention. As a nominating convention, it will focus on determining which candidates qualify for the September primary. But rather than talk about the five contested races at the convention (there’s plenty […]
Posted inGovernment
Brain drain goes on in municipal government
ED AUGUSTUS left his job as city manager in Worcester on Tuesday and on Wednesday started a new job as the first-ever chancellor of Dean College in Franklin. Augustus’s decision to leave the job he has held for the last eight years is a high-profile example of an ongoing trend in Massachusetts municipal government – […]
Posted inPolitics
Mariano outlines legislative priorities, mentions tax relief
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WITH THE END of the legislative session within sight, House Speaker Ronald Mariano pitched business leaders Thursday on the central pieces of the agenda he hopes to successfully wrap up by the end of July and called on them to help develop ideas to address child care needs next session. In […]
Posted inEconomy
Child tax credit proposal would strengthen state’s pro-family standing
THE EXPIRATION OF last year’s temporary expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) has caused millions of children to fall into poverty. Congress’s inability to come to any agreement to revive the CTC has created unnecessary hardship for families struggling with record-high inflation levels. Fortunately, recent changes in the Massachusetts tax code have offered […]
Posted inState Government
Senate, Somerville eye protections for abortion, gender-affirming care
THE STATE SENATE on Wednesday adopted an amendment to the state budget protecting anyone who receives or provides gender-affirming care or abortion care against other states’ attempts to prosecute them. “Whether you like the law or not, the notion that somebody from some other state can set their values on our state is very concerning,” […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
House will vote on sexting, revenge porn bill
FIVE YEARS AFTER Gov. Charlie Baker first proposed new laws addressing sexting and revenge porn, the Legislature is prepared to consider the legislation. The House plans to vote Thursday on a bill that would address the unauthorized distribution of sexually explicit material. The bill has two major pieces. One would create a diversionary framework for […]
Posted inEnvironment
Healey sues PFAS manufacturers
ATTORNEY GENERAL Maura Healey has filed a lawsuit against 13 manufacturers of PFAS chemicals, arguing that they deceptively marketed and sold chemicals that were dangerous to the environment and to individuals’ health. She also sued two companies she alleges shielded the manufacturers’ assets through corporate transactions designed to avoid legal liability. “I am suing today […]