STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE STEPPING ONTO A STAGE that he usually shuns, outgoing Gov. Charlie Baker recently invited CNN to his State House office so he could share his thoughts on the midterm elections and the direction of his Republican Party. In the interview that aired Monday on the national network, the two-term governor said […]
Charlie Baker
Posted inEnergy
Baker aide urges Avangrid to stay the course
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S top energy aide urged the offshore wind developer Avangrid to abandon efforts to reopen its electricity contract with the state and abide by the existing terms. Avangrid has asked the Department of Public Utilities for a one-month delay in approving the contract, saying the time is needed to work out new terms […]
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 inPolitics
Split-personality state GOP didn’t fare well
THE SPLIT PERSONALITY of the Republican Party in Massachusetts didn’t fare well in this year’s election, losing a handful of additional offices and continuing its slide to near-total irrelevance. Republicans lost two seats they previously held in the House, held on to their seats in the Senate, and watched as the district attorney’s office for […]
Posted inPolitics
Amore, Hodgson top beneficiaries of Baker-linked super PAC
TWO REPUBLICANS — Anthony Amore and Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson — are shaping up to be the top two beneficiaries of a super PAC with ties to Gov. Charlie Baker that says it backs politically centrist candidates from both parties. In a campaign finance filing on Wednesday, the Massachusetts Majority super PAC reported spending […]
Posted inThe Download
Amore, Hodgson top beneficiaries of Baker-linked super PAC
Two Republicans — Anthony Amore and Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson — are shaping up to be the top two beneficiaries of a super PAC with ties to Gov. Charlie Baker that says it backs politically centrist candidates from both parties. In a campaign finance filing on Wednesday, the Massachusetts Majority super PAC reported spending […]
Posted inEnergy
Baker open to Commonwealth Wind negotiations
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER indicated on Wednesday that he doesn’t want a high-stakes procurement process for offshore wind to collapse because of a dispute over the terms of the power purchase contract. Commonwealth Wind, a 1,200 megawatt project being developed by Avangrid, says the contract it agreed to in May is no longer sufficient to attract […]
Posted inHealth Care
Baker signs bill curbing step therapy
A PATIENT who is stable on a medication then switches insurance plans can no longer be kicked off that medication by their insurer, under a new law Gov. Charlie Baker signed Tuesday that limits the insurance practice of “step therapy.” Patient advocacy groups have been trying for years to restrict when insurers can use step […]
Posted inPolitics
Outside money pours into state auditor’s race
OUTSIDE GROUPS are pouring money into the race for state auditor between Democratic Sen. Diana DiZoglio and Republican Anthony Amore, a possible signal that the race may be tightening with just a week to go until Election Day. A super PAC with ties to Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday reported spending $100,000 on digital ads […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker leaving office, but still campaigning
Gov. Charlie Baker is nearing the end of his two terms in office, but he’s still out there campaigning. On Wednesday, he gathered across from the State House with his old boss, former governor Bill Weld, to lend support for the candidacy of Anthony Amore for state auditor. He also endorsed Jesse Brown, a veteran […]