WE’VE REACHED the 10-year anniversary of the landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission US Supreme Court decision. The decision overturned longstanding precedent prohibiting corporate funding of elections and unleashed a torrent of corporate money in our political process. In the 2018 election cycle alone, corporations and other outside groups spent over $1.4 billion in […]
Elections
Posted inPolitics
Super PAC with ties to Baker keeps cruising
A SUPER PAC with close ties to Gov. Charlie Baker is continuing to raise money at a fairly rapid pace, easily replacing funds over the last two months that were spent last year to support a number of candidates in municipal elections. The Massachusetts Majority PAC, which supports Republicans and Democrats, is a new fundraising […]
Posted inOpinion
Cumberland Farms proposal has marijuana side-effects
CUMBERLAND FARMS is pushing a 2020 ballot question that would create a new beer and wine liquor license for food retailers, an initiative that could also have an impact on the number of marijuana stores opening up across the state. Under the existing cannabis law, communities must allow a minimum number of marijuana retail stores. […]
Posted inOpinion
We like Joe because he’s younger
I HAVE BEEN ASKED why IBEW Local 103 members came out with our endorsement of Joe Kennedy III so early in the race. There are several reasons. Kennedy is committed to making progress on the issues that are important to our membership, such as economic justice, racial equality, and good housing that every family can afford. Another […]
Posted inPolitics
Dems, GOP battle over timing of Senate election
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE DECISION ABOUT when to hold a special election for an open Senate seat has suddenly become a major point of contention between the Democrat and Republican parties in Massachusetts. Senate President Karen Spilka earlier this week proposed holding the general election for the Senate seat vacated by Republican Viriato deMacedo […]
Posted inPolitics
GOP leader balks at special election date
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE SENATE DEMOCRATS hit a speed bump Monday as they tried to schedule a special election on the date of the presidential primary to fill a seat just vacated by a Republican. At the tail end of a long, lightly attended session, the Senate surfaced an order from President Karen Spilka scheduling […]
Posted inPolitics
People’s Pledge becomes flashpoint in Senate primary race
IN A US SENATE PRIMARY RACE where disagreements have been scarce, the issue of campaign funds has suddenly become a flashpoint for incumbent Ed Markey and challengers Joe Kennedy III and Shannon Liss-Riordan. Kennedy and Liss-Riordan held a press conference on Monday where they called for a race funded only by direct campaign contributions. “No dark […]
Posted inThe Download
Now there’s a name for ballot questions that improperly combine different, unrelated elements — they’re called Frankensteins. Business groups last year succeeded in blocking a ballot question proposing a millionaire’s tax by convincing the Supreme Judicial Court that the question tried to do too many unrelated things at once — hike taxes on the rich, […]
Posted inEconomy
Cumberland Farms ballot question called a Frankenstein
NOW THERE’S A NAME for ballot questions that improperly combine different, unrelated elements — they’re called Frankensteins. Business groups last year succeeded in blocking a ballot question proposing a millionaire’s tax by convincing the Supreme Judicial Court that the question tried to do too many unrelated things at once — hike taxes on the rich, […]
Posted inPolitics
What prompted Patrick’s longshot bid?
DEVAL PATRICK’S late entry into the presidential race is a compelling story for the same reason that Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels have drawn in readers over the decades. There is mystery at the heart of it. The 63-year-old, two-term Democratic governor has given the broad outlines of his policy positions and the pitch he will make […]