Birthdays: Rep. Colleen Garry

Political payback and whatnot » Commonwealth Magazine JAMES VALLEE. CHARLEY Murphy. John Rogers. Jonathan Hecht. To that list of past and present lawmakers, you can add state Rep. Russell Holmes as someone who has crossed House Speaker Robert DeLeo and p…

Dems should pause on veto overrides, House GOP leader says » State House News Service The state Legislature has a track record of overturning most budget vetoes each year, regardless of who is governor, but House Minority Leader Brad Jones is urging his colleagues to take a wait-and-se…

Scoop: Bank of America exec discussed for Uber CEO role » Axios Multiple individuals close to Uber's board of directors have reached out to Bank of America vice chairman Anne Finucane about the company's CEO position, which has been vacant since Travis Kalanick re…

Meet the Refugee Trying to be Boston's First Muslim City Councilor » NBS News Somali-American refugee and immigrant rights activist Deeqo Jibril arrived in Boston in 1991 after fleeing civil war. Today, she is running for Boston City Council in Roxbury, Massachusetts. If she wi…

How secret State House negotiations killed East-West rail study despite bipartisan support » The Republican Who killed Massachusetts Sen. Eric Lesser's east-west rail proposal? It's a question that has bounced from Boston to the Berkshires after the Longmeadow Democrat's amendment to study the issue was spi…

King Robert (DeLeo) takes stock » Boston Globe Uneasy was the head that wore the crown. The head, that is, of King Robert the Eternal of Beacon Hill.…

Trump, ObamaCare and the Art of the Fail » The Wall Street Journal It was a political drubbing of the first order. A new Republican president and a Republican Senate and House put everything they had into a bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare, and couldn't do it. Th…

During 'Made in America Week,' President Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club applies to hire 70 foreign workers » The Washington Post

There Is A Fight Brewing On Beacon Hill Over Legislation Aimed At Lowering Prescription Drug Costs » WGBH News “We hear from patients all the time that are faced with impossible choices because of the high cost of drugs,” said Brian Rosman, policy and government relations director of Health Care Fo…

Consumer bureau moves to allow suits against banks » The Daily News of Newburyport A new federal rule that would stop banks and other companies from using fine print to block legal action against them by consumers is facing stiff resistance from the financial industry and GOP-contro…

Wary of Mueller, Trump's team is investigating his investigators » Boston Globe President Trump's lawyers and aides are scouring the professional and political backgrounds of investigators hired by the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, looking for conflicts of interest they …

Publicly assailed by Trump, Sessions says he's staying on » Boston Globe Attorney General Jeff Sessions, publicly skewered by President Trump for stepping clear of the Russia-Trump investigations, said Thursday he plans to stay in his job.…

Trump's Recently Disclosed Putin Conversation Is 'Nixon All Over Again' » WBUR Harry Obst, who worked as a German interpreter for seven U.S. presidents through Bill Clinton, says he can only remember one of them who ever dispensed with an interpreter during discussions with a fo…

Protests greet House Speaker Paul Ryan in Lawrence » Boston Globe US House Speaker Paul D. Ryan pitched the outlines of his tax reform package at a sneaker factory Thursday, promising congressional Republicans are more united on that issue than over their ailing hea…

Protesters assemble for Speaker Ryan's Lawrence New Balance factory tour » Spare Change News

Exxon Mobil Fined for Violating Sanctions on Russia » New York Times While Rex W. Tillerson, now the secretary of state, led the energy giant, "Exxon Mobil demonstrated reckless disregard for U.S. sanctions requirements," the Treasury Department said.…

(NOTE: Because we can, that's why.) America's Bacon Lovers Won't Be Happy To Hear This » The Huffington Post In February, the internet threw itself into a tizzy over a reported bacon shortage only to find out that America's stocks of bacon wouldn't be largely affected. But months later, pig farmers are still…

Six months in, Trump's economy looks awfully familiar » Boston Globe Donald Trump's short but eventful tenure has been marked by rampant information leaks, Twitter outbursts, unexpected firings — indeed, a whole political sturm und drang (or whatever the Russian…

Bank of America's Finucane reportedly eyed for top spot at Uber » Boston Globe Could Bank of America vice chairwoman Anne Finucane end up in the driver's seat at Uber?…

If John Hancock becomes independent, it'll need its next David D'Alessandro » Boston Business Journal If parent company Manulife puts Hancock through an initial public offering or spinoff, the insurer could use a strong, outspoken executive to lead its next chapter.…

Restaurant association says it will consider pushing for new legislation to serve late drinks » Boston Herald

A long (but worthy) process to save babies » In 1981, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that women have a constitutional right to Medicaid abortions. Now, pro-life residents in the Bay State are launching the process that could lead…

It's just not right, and it should be against the law » Sentinel & Enterprise

Boston Students Seek Adventure — And Growth — In 3 Weeks At Sea » WBUR Jasline Gonzalez tells her friends that she loves her school, Boston Day And Evening Academy (BDEA).…

Sex education bill sparks debate over role of parents » State House News Service The state Senate, after a sometimes pitched debate Thursday, advanced a framework to be used by public schools that teach sexual education, that includes information about the effective use of contrac…

Standardized testing helps as one of numerous measurements of public school students' learning, says Holyoke receiver Steve Zrike » The Republican Count receiver Stephen K. Zrike among those who would oppose a moratorium on standardized testing of public school students, he said Thursday.…

Sex ed bill sparks debate over parents' role at State House » The Greenfield Recorder The state Senate, after a sometimes pitched debate Thursday, advanced a framework to be used by public schools that teach sexual education, that includes information about the effective use of contrac…

Mental health effort that began in high school pays dividends » State House News Service Three women from north central Massachusetts were on hand Thursday to watch as the Senate passed a bill they wrote to give high schools the option of adding mental health education to their health cou…

Sex Ed Bill Passes Senate, But Not 'Decorum' » Beacon Hill Patch The state Senate, after a sometimes pitched debate Thursday, advanced a framework to be used by public schools that teach sexual education, that includes information about the effective use of contrac…

State Senate OKs mental health education » The Greenfield Recorder Three women from north central Massachusetts were on hand Thursday to watch as the Senate passed a bill they wrote to give high schools the option of adding mental health education to their health cou…

Advocates fight to save Melnea Cass Blvd trees » Bay State Banner The group Friends of Melnea Cass Boulevard is urging city and state transportation officials and Mayor Marty Walsh to delay a street redesign plan in order to address community priorities regarding tr…

The Mashpee Wampanoag could seek a state casino license » Boston Globe For years, the Mashpee Wampanoag have pursued a tribal casino in Taunton through a frustrating, Byzantine federal process, only to see their long-held dream derailed by a federal court.…

Norman: Baker's MassHealth plan hurts poor » The Recorder Local eldercare lobbyist Al Norman thinks Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has “put himself in a corner” when it comes to MassHealth and his course may hurt the working poor in the region.…

At Mayoral Forum, Walsh Defends Actions On Homelessness And Boston's Olympic Bid » WBUR At an election forum held at the University of Massachusetts Boston on Thursday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he's become a better listener throughout his three years in office.…

Jaywalk 'Til Your Heart's Content This Sunday During Boston's 'Open Newbury Street' » WBUR Traffic is just a fact of life in Boston. But for eight glorious hours on Sunday — and then again during two more days later this summer — traffic won't be a problem on Newbury Street. I…

Safe Communities Act awaiting case outcome, chairman says » Milford Daily News The two original sponsors of a bill that would effectively make Massachusetts a sanctuary state are urging leaders of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to help advance the bil…

Detained MIT janitor Francisco Rodriguez doesn't fit ICE profile, Gov. Charlie Baker says » The Republican Supporters of Francisco Rodriguez, a janitor for MIT who was detained last week by federal immigration officials with ICE, rallied outside the Massachusetts State House on Thursday. They asked Massach…

Supporters rally at State House to help MIT custodian facing deportation » Metro.us Dozens gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday to urge Gov. Charlie Baker to help Francisco Rodriguez, a custodian at MIT who is currently being detained and who faces deportation after …

Daughter of detained MIT janitor asks Baker to intervene » Boston Globe Among the chorus of voices calling Thursday for the release of MIT janitor Francisco Rodriguez from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, a quieter voice rang through.…

Lawyers, judges praise court nominees in Chicopee hearing » The Republican

Jobless rate in Mass. continues to inch upward » Boston Globe The Massachusetts unemployment rate in June again inched upward, hitting 4.3 percent in a month where officials said employers added 10,000 jobs.…

Bill aimed at protecting pregnant workers reaches Baker's desk » The Salem News After passing slightly different versions of the legislation earlier this year, the House and Senate reached a compromise this week on a bill mandating protections for pregnant workers and sent the le…

Pregnant workers' bill heads to Baker's desk » Boston Globe A bill guaranteeing protections for pregnant workers was sent to the governor Thursday, part of a groundswell of support for pregnant workers' rights that would make Massachusetts the latest in a long…

Day Appointed to Leadership Position in the House of Representatives » Tewksbury Patch State Representative Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham) was recently promoted to the position of Vice Chairman of the Massachusetts House of Representatives' Committee on Personnel and Administration. After …

Let's talk about sex? Senate debate shows words matter » State House News Service State senators waded into a sensitive issue on Thursday - sex education. But even as lawmakers were debating how best to teach young people about sex, it became clear that even the adults can struggle…

Representative Tackey Chan to chair Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure » Sampan State Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy) has been named the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, following a vote of the Democratic Caucus and upon …

House tech panel hears cybersecurity risks to small business » Boston Business Journal "We're looking to make businesses - small businesses in particular - aware of the threats, aware of what they need to do for risk assessment and know how to implement it," said Springfield Rep. Angelo…

Millbury slated to receive more than $9M in state aid » The Millbury Sutton Chronicle State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) and State Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn) announced that the Legislature recently voted to approve a $40.2B budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18).…

After charter school error leaves Pelham school with big deficit, state rep looks for funding options » The Republican State Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose said Thursday he is looking to see what kind of financial help he can get for the Pelham Elementary School budget following a reporting error on the number of Pelham …

City's payment to D-E Corp. approved after 3-year wait » Sentinel & Enterprise Nearly three years after D-E Corp. installed new HVAC units at the city's Office of Emergency Management without going through the traditional bidding process, the city was given permission to pay the…

State findings knock Cape's county government » Cape Cod Times The state auditor's office has discovered a series of legal and procedural irregularities during a yearlong review of Barnstable County finances, according to a draft report on the audit obtained by t…

$50 fine facing panhandlers without permits in proposal from Holyoke Councilor Diosdado Lopez » The Republican Panhandlers would face fines of $50 for soliciting money at traffic medians without a permit and panhandling would be prohibited at certain intersections under a city councilor's latest plan to curb t…

'Stop low-balling us:' Cambridge employees demand higher wages » Wicked Local Cambridge Members of Teamsters Local 25, the union representing more than 300 city employees, protested outside City Hall today, demanding a 5 percent annual salary increase over three years as part of their co…

Weymouth: Mayor Hedlund Responds to Gov. Baker's Letter Regarding Proposed Compressor Station » 95.9 WATD

Marijuana law rewrite goes to governor with higher tax » Boston Herald Legislators finally sent their rewrite of the voter- approved legal marijuana bill to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk yesterday, with a higher tax rate, nine months after recreational pot was legalized by b…

Tarr questions recreational pot compromise's constitutionality » The Salem News House and Senate negotiators had planned to get a bill to Gov. Charlie Baker by June 30, but their talks dragged on this month amid disagreements over tax rates, local control and other issues. Both b…

Mass. pot bill is on Baker's desk - finally » Worcester Telegram The Legislature sent its rewrite of the voter-approved legal marijuana bill, with a higher tax rate and less power for voters, to the governor on Thursday, 255 days after about 1.8 million voters put …

Legislature sends pot law rewrite to Governor Baker » Milford Daily News The Legislature sent its rewrite of the voter-approved legal marijuana bill, with a higher tax rate and less power for voters, to the governor on Thursday, 255 days after about 1.8 million voters put …

State Lawmakers Submit Compromise Marijuana Bill » The Mashpee Enterprise

We need answers and a rail study » The Reminder So, the big question on my mind was why on the name of all that is holy did the conference committee remove the east-west rail study from the FY18 Massachusetts budget?…

Guest Opinion: A year after Westport tenant farm horror, what has changed? » Taunton Gazette It's been a year since Westport police found 1,400 animals dead or in desperate condition amidst acres of rat-infested sheds, heaps of old tires and leaking oil drums, and junked cars on Richard Medei…

A partisan rush to prosecute Trump » Boston Globe When I taught law at Harvard, I always gave a final exam that included what is called “an issue spotter.” I presented a complex hypothetical case, often based on a real one, and asked the …

Voter records, Trump's tax returns - decisions, decisions » Boston Globe The president said that those states that refuse to turn over voter records must be hiding something, that that is always the case.…

Editorial: Open dialogue required to fix sex-crazed startup culture » Boston Business Journal We credit the organizers of the event, scheduled for July 25 at Workbar in Cambridge, for their commitment to discussing sexual harassment and gender bias in the startup and venture capital community.…

ViewPoint: Massachusetts should adopt a carbon price » Boston Business Journal The fee sends a price signal to businesses and consumers, nudging them to consume less fossil fuels and hence reduce our collective carbon footprint.…

A painful diagnosis for John McCain, a man of integrity » Boston Globe So now, on top of everything else, we must contemplate the prospect of losing John McCain.…

New residential buildings are full of amenities, but oh that pretentious name » Boston Globe Welcome to Boston, tech wizard/financial planner/GE executive! Your new apartment has elegant fixtures, stainless appliances, underground parking, a fireplace, and a view of the harbor in a gleaming n…

ViewPoint: Diversity in fire and police needed in Boston » Boston Business Journal Boston is becoming more diverse, but its police and fire departments are not keeping pace.…

Our Opinion: Brick-and-mortar businesses need level playing field » Berkshire Eagle While modern technology can be a boon when it comes to providing convenience and efficiency, it can also be a merciless destroyer of the established structures our culture holds dear. A case in point …

PETER LUCAS: Shiva's got what Mass. GOP needs -- authenticity » Lowell Sun

Our Opinion: Cultural Council cuts will impact Berkshires » Berkshire Eagle

Gov. Baker snubs Ryan; speaker is met with protests » Boston Herald House Speaker Paul Ryan made a rare visit to the Bay State yesterday to tour the New Balance factory in Lawrence, but fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Baker was nowhere to be found, avoiding a potential…

Sanchez promises 'thoughtful' approach to health care fix » Boston Herald State Rep. Jeff Sanchez, newly tapped by House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo as House Ways and Means chairman, is promising a "thoughtful" approach to fixing Mass Health, working with Gov. Charlie Baker on …

Herald Bulldog » Boston Herald A fired-up state Rep. Russell E. Holmes compared House Speaker Robert DeLeo to President Trump and questioned the speaker's leadership after he was demoted from his vice chairmanship of the Joint Comm…

Sullivan decides against special election for Dempsey's seat » Eagle Tribune City Councilor Thomas Sullivan, however, will not be seeking Dempsey's seat in the 3rd Essex House District. Sullivan intends to seek reelection to the council this fall — and possibly a differ…

Massachusetts Republican to offer 'alternative vision' for GOP » McClatchy DC John Kingston wants to show Republicans how they can win Senate races in deep-blue states like Massachusetts.…

Minority leader urges House to hold off on budget vetoes » Lowell Sun BOSTON -- The Legislature has a track record of overturning most budget vetoes each year but House Minority Leader Brad Jones is urging his colleagues to take a wait-and-see approach, asserting veto o…

Haverhill pols line up for chance to replace Dempsey on Beacon Hill » Boston Globe Haverhill pols line up for chance to replace Dempsey on Beacon Hill…

Former Cariddi aide jumps into race for 1st Berkshire District seat » Berkshire Eagle A former legislative aide to state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi is now vying for her former seat.…

Haverhill Councilor Vargas to run for Dempsey's House seat; field of candidates grows » Eagle Tribune

FBI, investigators eye 'Imposter' ID program » Boston Herald An innovative program that trains cops and RMV staff to spot people using stolen identities — which Gov. Charlie Baker blew off after recent pitches — has drawn a flood of interest from …

Allowing Massachusetts police chief to work full-time and get $116,000 pension at same time is 'local decision,' Gov. Charlie Baker says » The Republican A new law allowing a Massachusetts police chief to work full-time and draw a pension at the same time is a "local decision" and a "temporary" situation, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday.…

Massachusetts Considers Mental Health Gun Bill » NECN Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are trying to tackle the difficult topic of guns and mental health by proposing a bill that would reduce access to firearms for those at risk of harming themselves or others.…

Massachusetts lawmakers push extreme risk protective order bill » Guns.com More than 30 Democrats in the Massachusetts House are supporting a measure to authorize authorities to take guns away from those deemed a threat to themselves or others.…

Governor Baker Vetoes Funding To Cape, Islands » The Mashpee Enterprise

MassDevelopment names new CEO » Lowell Sun A former state official will take the reins of MassDevelopment in September.…

Baker vetoes target Weymouth programs » Wicked Local Weymouth Weymouth officials are hopeful lawmakers will override Gov. Charlie Baker's vetoes of nearly $350,000 in supplemental funding that was sought in a $39.4 billion state budget he approved Monday July 17…

Should Massachusetts adopt legislation establishing an automatic voter registration system? » Boston Globe

Gov. Baker's council on aging to visit Hyannis July 25 » The Barnstable Patriot

Charlie Baker to travel west for GOP governors' conference » Boston Globe

All-electronic tolling may have opened the door for a potential new Mass. Pike exit » The Republican Having spent years of casually discussing the possibility of connecting Western Massachusetts hill towns to the Massachusetts Turnpike to no avail, one Berkshire County state representative said it's …

State looking into adding interchange on the Mass Pike » WWLP 22 News Anyone who drives the Pike to Berkshire county knows that really long stretch between Westfield and Lee.…

Gov. Baker Visits Route 3 Bridge Project » Tewksbury Patch Gov. Charlie Baker paid a visit to a bridge project in Braintree Thursday morning.…

Select Board supports Senator Lesser's push for high-speed rail » The Reminder

AG: Eversource rate-hike bid is 'unwarranted' » Boston Herald Attorney General Maura Healey is blasting Eversource Energy's request for a $96 million rate increase as an “unwarranted” boost that will overcompensate the already well-paid power company…

Social Media Spotlight

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CBS Boston House Speak Paul Ryan Visited A Massachusetts Factory To Promote Tax Reform WGBHForum Greening Boston's Columbia Rd. Part 3: Looking at Copenhagen and Indianapolis CBS Boston Keller @ Large: Elizabeth Warren Says Massachusetts Needs John McCain

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Podcast Spotlight

WBUR Freak Out And Carry On: President Trump And His 'Radically Different' Foreign Policy Boston Herald Boston Herald Radio: Jeff Sanchez Boston Herald Boston Herald Radio: State Rep Russell Holmes Boston Herald Boston Herald Radio: State Representative Frank Moran Washington Post The Daily 202's Big Idea: Asking about a pardon for himself is a quintessentially Trumpian move

HB3800 - An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2018

HB3828 - A message from His Excellency the Governor returning with his reduction or disapproval of certain items and sections for the fiscal year 2018 annual appropriation act

HB3818 - An Act to ensure safe access to medical and adult-use of marijuana in the Commonwealth

SB2113 - An Act relative to healthy youth

HB3776 - An Act to ensure the public health and safety of patient and consumer access to medical and adult use of marijuana in the Commonwealth

HB3680 - An Act establishing the Massachusetts pregnant workers fairness act

HB3829 - An Act promoting affordable health care options

SB2071 - An Act relative to healthy youth

HB3601 - An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2018

An Open Letter to Single Payer Advocates and Our Allies » MassCare

Youth Rally with Area Legislators » I Have A Future Youth Organization

There Are Much Better Options than a Space Force » The Union of Concerned Scientists

Governors across the country are taking action on early education » Strategies for Children