Governor's FY18 budget due

10:00am Mass Power Forward Lobby Day, Great Hall

11:00am Veteran's Agents Annual Legislative Luncheon, Grand Staircase & Great Hall

11:00am House Session, Full Formal Session

5:30pm Meeting of the Special Commission on Postpartum Depression, Room 428

Charlie Baker capped off his State of the Commonwealth speech by calling for genuine political dialogue » Boston.com Just past the midway point of his first term, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker ended his speech Tuesday night by thanking the Democrat-controlled State House for “good will” legislating an…

Trump 101: He plans rapid, radical gutting of gov't regs » Axios One of the most fervent, but least discussed, elements of President Trump's master plan is the deconstruction of the regulatory state — hobbling EPA, Interior, Energy and more in a bid to  

Will France Sound the Death Knell for Social Democracy? » New York Times As a presidential election approaches this spring, even workers in the country's rust belt are embracing right-wing populism," by James Angelos: "Is socialism dead? The answer, at least in today's Eur…

Trump 101: What he reads and watches » Axios President Trump spends substantial time and energy ridiculing the media. He spends even more time consuming —and obsessing about — it. …

EXCLUSIVE: Trump team compiles infrastructure priority list » McClatchy DC President Donald Trump's team has compiled a list of about 50 infrastructure projects nationwide, totaling at least $137.5 billion, as the new White House tries to determine its investment priorities,…

Gov. Charlie Baker talks education, mental health hospital reforms and veterans' tax credits in State of the State speech » The Republican Gov. Charlie Baker announced in his State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday night that he will be looking to the Springfield schools as a model for how to assist struggling schools around the state.…

Pay raise hearing just for show? » Commonwealth Magazine WHEN HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg issued a joint statement last week about holding hearings on a two-year-old report to explore the possibility of raising salaries fo…

Anti-tax group promises to make pay vote an issue in 2018 » State House News Service An anti-tax group assured lawmakers Tuesday their votes on a pay raise package will be "forefront on the voters' minds" when they stand for re-election, an early salvo in what is likely to be a pitche…

Former Trump campaign chair backs Hughes for head of state GOP » Politico On the eve of an election for MassGOP party chair, a key supporter of Donald Trump in the state is backing incumbent chair Kirsten Hughes. …

Tax Overhaul, Regulatory Rollbacks Fuel K Street Lobbyists » Roll Call Debates over health care, tax policy and government spending fueled the biggest spenders on K Street in 2016, as groups now ramp up their lobbying on rolling back regulations from the Obama era and on…

Trump's Chicago tweet is another response to cable news » CNN Media When President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday night and said he would send federal agents into Chicago if the city failed to address its growing violence, the threat seemed to emanate from no…

Cape legislators target Pilgrim safety » Cape Cod Times Several bills related to the troubled Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station have been presented for the new state legislative session. A few are bills that failed to become law in previous sessions, and other…

Trump expected to order US-Mexico border wall Wednesday » Boston Globe President Trump is planning to sign executive orders Wednesday enabling construction of his proposed border wall and targeting cities where local leaders refuse to hand over illegal immigrants for dep…

McGovern files amendment to overturn Citizens United case » Gazette Net U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern has joined with other members of Congress to re-introduce an amendment that would overturn the Citizens United case.…

President Trump takes aggressive steps on immigration » Boston Globe

Taxi owners lose challenge of law on ride-hailing operations » Boston Globe A federal judge in Boston on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of city taxi owners against the state, rejecting the owners' claim that a new state law puts them at a competitive disadvantag…

Four bills ask Legislature to target high drug prices » Boston Globe Four bills have been filed in the Legislature that are aimed at controlling the price of prescription medicines by requiring drug makers to disclose the cost of their research, marketing, and manufact…

General Electric, Celtics to announce sponsorship deal » Boston Business Journal Boston-based General Electric is expected to announce a deal Wednesday morning with the Boston Celtics that will have the team sporting GE logos on their jerseys, according to reports.…

Judge: Boston cab group failed to prove law harmed members » Boston Herald A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed a new state law put a group of Boston taxi owners at a competitive disadvantage with ride-hailing services.…

Recreational weed in Massachusetts: Changes could be coming » The Metro West Daily News

Seven Massachusetts tech companies raised $110M this week » Boston Business Journal

Feds Find $20 Million Hidden Under A Mattress In Massachusetts » WBUR It might have been the first place they looked. When federal authorities raided an apartment in Westborough, Mass., earlier this month, they found money hidden under the mattress — approximate…

Banning Native American Symbols for High School Teams? New Bill Takes Fight to Beacon Hill » NECN Should Native American nicknames and symbols be used at public schools? A Massachusetts lawmaker has introduced a bill that takes the fight to Beacon Hill.…

State's public colleges see rise in hunger, homelessness » Boston Globe The state's colleges and universities are reporting that hunger and homelessness among students have increased over the past year, an alarming new disclosure that makes clear that many low-income stud…

Charlie Baker says he wants to aid struggling schools » The Associated Press (AP) Gov. Charlie Baker said he wants to improve education in the state's lower performing districts by allowing more local flexibility and encouraging the state takeover of struggling schools when needed.…

On The Docket For 2017: A Fight Over Funding For Mass. Public Schools » WBUR As Gov. Charlie Baker readies his budget for the fiscal year ahead, a school funding fight is already brewing on Beacon Hill.…

In State of the State, Gov. Baker says he wants to aid struggling schools » Berkshire Eagle Gov. Charlie Baker said he wants to improve education in the state's lower-performing districts by allowing more local flexibility and encouraging the state takeover of struggling schools when needed.…

Enviros hope judge will reject eminent domain deal for pipeline through Otis State Forest » The Republican

Trump Expected To Order Building Of U.S.-Mexico Wall On Wednesday » WBUR President Trump says he'll take up immigration on his third full day in office, promising in a tweet, "Among many other things, we will build the wall" along the U.S. border with Mexico. The plan is e…

HPC joins growing group of boards that stream meetings » State House News Service The Health Policy Commission is the latest state agency to begin livestreaming its meetings, joining a small but growing group of panels that make themselves more accessible by regularly broadcasting …

Massachusetts Governor to Pitch Health-Insurance Penalty for Employers » The Wall Street Journal The first state in the nation to require residents to carry health insurance is grappling with escalating Medicaid rolls, but a fix floated by Massachusetts' Republican governor is drawing pushback fr…

Gun Owners File Suit Challenging State's Assault Weapons Ban » WBUR A gun rights group, along with individual gun owners and retailers, is challenging the state's 1998 assault weapon ban in federal court, arguing the law unconstitutionally infringes on the right to be…

Healey vows vigorous defense as firearm owners target Mass. assault weapons law » Berkshire Eagle A gun rights group, along with individual gun owners and retailers, is challenging the state's 1998 assault weapon ban in federal court, arguing the law unconstitutionally infringes on the right to be…

Bump Calls on Office of Court Interpreter Services to Improve Payment Processes » The Valley Patriot

Boston lawmakers, advocates continue pushing for criminal justice reform » Bay State Banner

Worcester unemployment increased in December, declined in 2016 » Worcester Business Journal Unemployment in Worcester grew from 2.8 percent in November to 3 percent in December while declining nearly two points from December 2015 when the rate was 4.6 percent, according to data from the Exec…

Local lawmakers attend the State of the Commonwealth address » WWLP 22 News For the State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Charlie Baker said he planned to reflect on his accomplishments over the past year and his ability to work collaboratively with the Legislature on b…

WMass reps praise Gov. Charlie Baker's speech for talk of opioids, broadband, homelessness » Mass Live Western Massachusetts representatives praised Gov. Charlie Baker for his focus on Springfield schools, the opioid crisis, broadband internet and homelessness in his State of the Commonwealth address T…

Lawmakers say proposed pay hikes are fair » Gloucester Times Most North Shore lawmakers say proposed legislative pay raises — some of them hefty increases for leadership positions — are only fair, and overdue salary adjustments that have been post…

Cost of Mass. lawmakers raising their own pay could hit $18 million » The Republican Top Massachusetts lawmakers voting to raise their own pay could cost the state up to $18 million.…

House to debate sticky issue of pay hikes for politicians » Boston Herald A bill calling for up to $18 million in annual pay raises for Massachusetts legislators, statewide elected officials and judges is expected to come up for a vote in the House of Representatives.…

Speaker DeLeo defends 50 percent pay hike as 'long overdue' » Boston Herald Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo today defended a move to hike his pay by 50 percent and that of dozens of other legislators as "long overdue," as he and the Legislature prepare to move quickly to pu…

Senate lays out schedule for regional town halls » State House News Service The Massachusetts Senate is packing its bags and again hitting the road, embarking on a series of trips to each Senate district to hear from constituents and community leaders.…

Heroux files legislation to block Rehoboth gas compression station » The Sun Chronicle State Rep. Paul Heroux has filed five bills aimed at making it more difficult, if not impossible, for Spectra Energy to build a natural gas compressor station in Rehoboth, near the Attleboro and Seeko…

Mass House approves expansive pay raise bill » Boston Herald

Baker casts shade on pay raises, but Dems may have veto-proof majority » State House News Service

Helping dollars make sense in Lynn » Lynn Daily News Item City officials entered into a community compact with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Tuesday, a program designed to strengthen the partnership between local and state government.…

Town may stop Mary Jane from moving in » Tewksbury Town Crier Now that the marijuana ballot question has passed, communities have to decide how to handle the potential influx of pot shops. Fortunately, they have options that include imposing a moratorium or opti…

Winchester Board of Selectmen consider retail pot moratorium » Wicked Local Winchester Board of Selectmen Chairman Lance Grenzeback asked town counsel Anderson & Kreiger, Jan. 23, to review the temporary moratorium on retail marijuana establishments approved for West Bridgewater last we…

City helps restore cuts to child meals program » Wicked Local Cambridge City officials took action Monday to ensure nearly 500 children in Cambridge continue receiving the much-needed weekend meals they receive through the Cambridge Weekend Backpack emergency food program…

Boston Considers Launching Municipal ID Program » WBUR Boston officials are considering developing a municipal identification program. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh says city-issued IDs would give residents who might not have a license — like immigrant…

Marty Walsh's cop cousin drives to high places » Boston Herald Mayor Martin J. Walsh is defending his Boston cop cousin's promotion to a top command post from her prior job as his driver — a move that is drawing fire from watchdogs.…

Former Pittsfield mayoral candidate arrested after disruption at council meeting » Berkshire Eagle Former mayoral candidate Craig Gaetani was arrested Tuesday after disrupting the City Council meeting at City Hall.…

Attorney General finds Shirley selectmen violated open meeting law » Nashoba Publishing Selectmen violated the Open Meeting Law during two sessions during the summer, according to a finding released less than two weeks before a recall election. The Massachusetts Attorney General's offic…

Hyde Park state rep faces dogged battle over abandoned, decaying rec center in Stony Brook Reservation » Universal Hub For 40 minutes, puzzled newcomers at a meeting of the Dog Park Association of Southwest Boston tonight couldn't figure why DCR had abruptly abandoned work with the group to turn the decaying nine-acre…

In Trump's war, the enemy is the truth » Boston Globe OPTIMISTS WHO HOPED Donald Trump would have a come-to-Jesus moment with the truth when he became president have gotten a rude awakening. …

Protectionism won't make American great again. If anyone should know that, Trump should » Boston Globe DONALD TRUMP RAN for office as an unabashed protectionist — it is one of the few political positions on which he never wavered — and hostility to free trade was a central message of his …

Trump is an extreme narcissist, and it only gets worse from here » Boston Globe IN THE 100 HOURS since Donald Trump took the oath of office, the worst predictions about his presidency are already coming true. …

Our view: Stopping the endless water and sewer breaks » Gloucester Times In January of 2016, the city of Salem started the year with a water break on Route 1A in South Salem, cutting off water to nearby homes and prompting the YMCA to open its showers to local residents.…

Long-due reforms, and funding, finally coming to Bridgewater State Hospital » Boston Globe REFORM OF the notorious Bridgewater State Hospital is long overdue, and one of the brightest spots in Governor Charlie Baker's State of the State address on Tuesday was a plan, and the funding, for ch…

Carr: 'Tall Deval' falls short in fighting hacks' pay hikes » Boston Herald He was too scared of his own shadow to even mention the hacks' scheme to vote themselves a $40,000 pay raise this afternoon.…

Editorial: Veto raises » Boston Herald Gov. Charlie Baker went heavy on bipartisanship and teamwork in his State of the Commonwealth address last night and there's a lot to be said for that. …

Editorial: Let the comity continue » Boston Herald Gov. Charlie Baker long ago earned his reputation as the anti-Trump of the Republican Party. Last night in his State of the Commonwealth address he solidified that reputation, thanking the overwhelmin…

Keller @ Large: Baker Should Be Trump's Role Model » CBS Boston Hey President Trump – we know he didn't vote for you, but right now, Gov. Charlie Baker is your best friend. Or at least, he ought to be your role model.…

Letter: Selective writing undercuts reliability of facts » South Coast Today Thomas Kiley, natural gas association president, wrote a pro-natural-gas-pipeline article that didn't wrestle with relevant facts. He emphasized that during the 1990s, Conservation Law Foundation, wit…

Massachusetts Governor Hiking Taxes To Rescue Failed Health Reform » Forbes

Baker must join fight against Trump's excesses » Dorchester Reporter

School mascot legislation should be intercepted » The Sentinel & Enterprise

Judge Charlie Baker on results, not rallies » Boston Globe CHARLIE BAKER is being true to Charlie Baker — and to Massachusetts.…

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh isn't ruling out a future gubernatorial run » Boston.com Boston Mayor Marty Walsh had previously ruled out running against Gov. Charlie Baker in 2018 (which would of put an abrupt end to the Democrat's so-called bromance with the Republican governor).…

Democrats Try To Find A Future Post-Obama With Fault Lines Along Economics, Race » WBUR David Betras realized Hillary Clinton's odds of winning the presidency were in peril — back in March of last year. Betras, the chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, lives in an are…

Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees in Springfield » The Republican About 70 demonstrators chanted and waved signs outside the Springfield offices of Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey on Tuesday, thanking both Democratic legislators for speaking against President D…

Hinds, Mark Re-File Bill Aimed To Help Volunteer Ambulance Services » iBerkshires

Sherborn's state rep wants to close gun loophole » The Herald News House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight Chairman David P. Linsky, D-Natick, recently announced the release of a report highlighting the need to require universal background checks for all private …

Baker plan aimed at boosting state's savings account » Boston Globe In an effort to boost the state's emergency savings account ahead of what could be tumultuous economic times, Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday will propose automatically placing money in the rainy …

Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker voices opposition to broad-based tax increase » Mass Live The day before he plans to unveil his version of the state budget, Gov. Charlie Baker said he would oppose "broad-based" tax increases on Massachusetts residents.…

Baker submits $40.5 billion budget, seeks to charge out-of-state online retailers » Boston Herald

Baker calls for $4K business tax credit » Worcester Business Journal

Baker budget includes $300m from new fee on businesses » Boston Globe

Baker stresses bipartisan compromise, incremental change in State of the Commonwealth » Boston Globe Standing before a sea of Democrats, Republican Governor Charlie Baker used his annual State of the Commonwealth speech Tuesday night to make the case that his brand of incremental change and bipartisa…

Emphasizing Bipartisanship, Gov. Baker Cites Government's 'Powerful Obligation' » WBUR Offering a contrast to the division that has surrounded Washington politics and the start of President Donald Trump's administration, Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday night extended his hand to the Democ…

Charlie Baker tries to walk partisan balance beam » Boston Globe Bipartisanship is mandatory for Republican governors looking to accomplish much of anything in this state. The are too many Democrats on Beacon Hill for legislative arithmetic to suggest otherwise.…

Fish councilor hopes for reappointment » Gloucester Times Elizabeth “Libby” Etrie had a pretty well-formed idea of what awaited her when she was appointed in 2014 to her first term on the New England Fishery Management Council.…

Gov. Charlie Baker revives plan to cap sick time accruals by state employees » The Republican Gov. Charlie Baker will announce Wednesday that he is reintroducing a proposal to cap earned sick time for public employees.…

Gov. Charlie Baker to seek state takeover of T retirement fund » Boston Herald The state's pension system could take over management of the long-troubled MBTA retirement fund under a plan Gov. Charlie Baker will announce today as part of his budget proposal.…

Do your job » Commonwealth Magazine As local pundits press Gov. Charlie Baker to take a stronger stand against President Trump, it's worth remembering what Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots always say as the big game approache…

Baker: Compromise is sign of strength » Commonwealth Magazine Mr. Speaker. Mr. President. Members of the House and Senate. Distinguished elected officials and honored guests. And fellow Citizens. About 750 days ago, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and I stood r…

Pay package includes raise for Suffolk register of deeds » Boston Globe Hidden deep in the huge pay hike package that Beacon Hill leaders are jamming through the Legislature for themselves are a slew of salary increases for court clerks and assistant clerks — and e…

Charlie Baker embraces bipartisanship, not Trump » Boston Herald Gov. Charlie Baker last night drew a sharp distinction between himself and President Trump — and Beacon and Capitol hills — asking the state's largely Democratic lawmakers to keeping wor…

Baker states his case » Lynn Daily News Item As partisan battles rage nationwide in the wake of President Donald Trump's inauguration, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker emphasized compromise in his State of the State speech Tuesday.…

Senate going on the road again » Commonwealth Magazine THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE IS GOING on the road again this year, holding nine so-called Commonwealth Conversations around the state with a special …

Taxpayers group flags cost concern over pay hike proposal » State House News Service The cost of pay increases for state legislators and other public officials expected to clear the House and Senate this week could add to the state's longstanding fiscal woes, causing concern for a pol…

Baker Praised For 'Bipartisan Spirit' In State Of The State Speech, But Critics Seek Bolder Vision » WBUR As a popular governor, Charlie Baker received generally good reviews for his State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday night. But some political observers say the speech lacked a bold vision for the …

Taxpayer group: Lawmaker pay hike adds to fiscal challenges » The Sentinel & Enterprise The cost of pay increases for state legislators and other public officials expected to clear the House and Senate this week could add to the state's longstanding fiscal woes, causing concern for a pol…

Healey Joins 16 Other AGs To Defend CFPB » Banker & Tradesman

AG vows strong defense as gun owners sue to end assault weapons ban » Boston Globe

"There's no Democrat or Republican," top Dem rep says post-State of State » State House News Service Offering a contrast to the division that has surrounded Washington politics, Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday night extended his hand to the Democrats who control the Legislature and asked for their help…

Baker to file budget plan, repeats pledge to oppose taxes » The Sentinel & Enterprise As Republican Gov. Charlie Baker prepares to take the wraps off his latest state budget proposal, he's again promising to fight any broad-based tax increases on Massachusetts residents. The spending …

Trump team aims to prioritize MBTA Green Line extension » Boston Business Journal The much-delayed MBTA Green Line extension is one of 50 infrastructure projects that President Trump's transition team has identified as a priority, according to a document obtained by the Kansas City…

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Podcast Spotlight

WBUR Radio Boston: Special Coverage: Baker's 2017 State Of The Commonwealth Address WBUR Politicker: New England Council CEO Says Region's Exporters Fear Fallout From TPP Withdrawal WGBH News The Scrum: 0124SCRUM SPLICER WGBH News On Campus: Massachusetts Vows To Expand Early College Courses Mass Climate Action Network The Climate Minute: Voices from the Boston Women’s March: The Climate Minute Podcast Tech Freedom Tech Policy Podcast: #152: Uber Dodges Bullet in Maryland

Baker still popular in turbulent times (Editorial) » The Republican

State Senate President Defends Pay Hike Plan » WAMC

Massachusetts commercial property-tax rates in 2017, by town and city » Boston Business Journal

The NRA Is Suing Maura Healey and Charlie Baker » Boston Magazine

Baker 'absolutely' should have been at the women's march, Moulton says » Boston Globe

Tito Jackson comes out in support of state lawmakers pay raise » Boston Herald

Speaker DeLeo defends pay hike as 'long overdue' » Boston Herald

In new bill, Healey seeks to take employer-pay fights to court » Boston Business Journal

Donoghue awaiting high school feasibility study » Lowell Sun

AG Maura Healey to 'vigorously defend' Massachusetts copycat weapons ban » The Republican

BOSTON MARCH FOR WOMEN: Plymouth marchers join thousands more » Wicked Local Plymouth

Directions

Registered Nurses at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford Vote to Join Massachusetts Nurses Association » Mass. Nurses Association

Neal Statement on USMCA Text Signing » Congressman Richard Neal

Senators Markey and Warren, Rep. Keating Announce $15 Million of Federal Investment in the Port of New Bedford » Office of Senator Ed Markey

Planned Parenthood Opposes the Nomination of William Barr as U.S. Attorney General » Planned Parenthood

2018: Senate Scorecard in Review » Progressive Massachusetts

MBTA Reaffirms Accessibility Goals with Amended Agreement » MBTA