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Today on Beacon Hill

11:00am Senate Session, Full Formal Session

11:00am House Session, Informal Session

First day of the 2nd annual session (2024)

Must-Reads
MASSACHUSETTS

Claudine Gay resigned as Harvard’s president after months of crises. Here’s how it unfolded. » Boston Globe

What does Claudine Gay’s resignation say about the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion? » Boston Globe

Why is Mass. always in a state of emergency? » Commonwealth Beacon

Vineyard Wind Misses End-of-Year "First Power" Target » State House News Service

Migrants with work permits in Mass. tripled in 2 weeks, Healey administration says » Boston Globe

Massachusetts emergency shelter report shows wait list, costs are growing » Berkshire Eagle

Mass. Senate eyes wheelchair warranty, police interaction, fentanyl test strip reforms » Boston Herald

What Claudine Gay’s Resignation From Harvard Means for the Rest of Us » Mother Jones

Wellpath, the health care company that provides services to Mass. inmates, faces scrutiny ahead of contract renewal » Boston Globe

THE OTHER 49

CT: In race for federal funds, CT looks to cut carbon output with electric buses, urban tree planting » Hartford Courant

NJ: Menendez faces new allegation he induced Qatar group to invest » Roll Call

MI: A right-wing tale of Michigan election fraud had it all – except proof » Washington Post

FL: Authorities expanding investigation into Florida GOP chair accused of rape » Politico

FL: Washington Post targets DeSantis’ office in public records lawsuit » Orlando Sentinel

FL: DeSantis pins hopes on E-Verify in immigration crackdown. Does it work? » Tampa Bay Times

TX: Court Rules Texas Can Ban Emergency Abortions Despite Federal Guidance » New York Times

IA: Trump is growing stronger in Iowa. Why? » The Hill

UT: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. qualifies for presidential ballot in Utah, the first state to grant him access » Boston Globe

AZ: Kari Lake is in deep, deep trouble with judge's refusal to dismiss defamation lawsuit » AZ Central

NATIONAL

What is victory for Joe Biden in New Hampshire? » Politico

Trump paid me to find voter fraud. Then he lied after I found 2020 election wasn't stolen. » USA Today

Unions poised to capitalize on U.S. labor board rulings that bolstered organizing » Reuters

Justice Dept. accuses 2 political operatives of hiding foreign lobbying during Trump administration » AP News

Republicans want to avoid clash with Trump on border security deal » The Hill

Kellyanne Conway Thinks Republicans Can Win Back Women in 2024 by Saying, “We Took Away Your Abortion Rights, but We’re Letting You Keep Contraception” » Vanity Fair

Analysis of 2018-2023 changes to laws governing ballot measures » Ballotpedia

RFK Jr. hires top anti-vaccine activist as campaign communications director » NBC News

"I said, 'what do you suggest I should do if people write him in?' 'Well,' they said, 'don't count him.' I said, 'are you serious?' " Galvin said. "Elections and primaries are about voters. They're not about candidates, they're not about offices, they're about voters. It's the opportunity to make a decision the voters have. We're not going to deprive voters of the right to cast a ballot. A lot of people have said this is about defending democracy. And as a citizen, I might agree with that. But I think the best way to defend democracy is to participate in democracy. And that opportunity's here for everyone in Massachusetts,."

Secretary of State Bill Galvin

Galvin left the state Republican Party's list of choices as-is, including Trump, whose inclusion on primary ballots has been challenged in other states.

News By Category
Beltway Politics

Trump, Haley and DeSantis qualify for CNN Iowa debate » CNN

Galvin says Trump will appear on Mass. primary ballot » WBUR

Massachusetts Democrats call for removing Cuba from terror list » The Hill

Business

Movers Find Mass. Among Top States For Outbound Residents » State House News Service

Education

Elise Stefanik cheers after Claudine Gay resigns as Harvard president: ‘TWO DOWN’ » Boston Herald

Gay resignation as Harvard president draws strong reactions from critics and supporters » Boston Globe

‘It’s a tragedy for Harvard.’ Black academics are frustrated after Claudine Gay resigns. » Boston Globe

Who is Alan Garber, Harvard’s interim leader? » Boston Globe

Editorial: Can Harvard regain luster after Claudine Gay scandals? » Boston Herald

Editorial: Claudine Gay’s resignation is also about the Harvard Corporation » Boston Globe

Environment

Opinion: The Endangered Species Act hasn’t restored endangered species » Boston Globe

To help rare whales, Mass. and Maine get $27 million to improve data and fishing gear » WBUR

Western Massachusetts loggers, environmental activists await state forest management policy » Greenfield Recorder

Gaming

FL: Sports betting opponents’ final plea to Florida Supreme Court: Don’t let DeSantis usurp voters’ power » Sun Sentinel

Health Care

FL: Gov. DeSantis administration quietly alters Medicaid policies to comply with federal law »

‘We can’t stand helpless’: Boston-area doctors struggle to provide humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza » Boston Globe

Housing

Healey Housing Bill Hearing Planned For Jan. 18 » State House News Service

Massachusetts emergency shelter spending for FY24 up to $247M, report says » Boston Herald

Human Services

State service providers confused by Healey's hold on funds » NBC Boston

Immigration

Work authorizations for migrants in shelter system soar » Commonwealth Beacon

Blue states open 2024 election year with migrant crisis escalating » Politico

Legislative

Fiscal Considerations May Weigh On Session Priorities » State House News Service

Local Government

Newly inaugurated Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti calls for 'one Pittsfield' in the new year » Berkshire Eagle

With Gov. Healey watching, Marchetti is sworn in as first new mayor of Pittsfield in 8 years » WAMC

Dumais begins new era as Marlborough’s mayor » Community Advocate

'Salem Wants Solutions': Mayor Eyes Challenges In State Of The City » Salem Patch

Inaugural ceremonies taking place across western Massachusetts » News 22 WWLP.com

Gloucester rings in 401st year with inauguration of city leaders » Gloucester Times

Coogan states city is on the rise as Fall River mayor, city council, school committee sworn in; council president, vice president selected » Fall River Reporter

Peabody leaders inaugurated as governor looks on » Lynn Daily News Item

Boston council's voting expansion faces long road » Newburyport News

Simmons and McGovern return as mayoral team after Cambridge inaugural is disrupted by protest » Cambridge Day

Easthampton inauguration gives School Committee a fresh start; City Council ready to get back to business » Gazette Net

Local Haitian Americans rejoice at Louijeune becoming council president: ‘The best news’ » Boston Globe

Gaskin: Boston needs a DEI plan, stat » Boston Herald

Springfield City Councilor Tracye Whitfield a no-show at New Year’s Day inauguration » MassLive

Petty talks future in inaugural address; School Committee splits in leadership vote » Worcester Telegram

Our Opinion: New year, new leadership in Pittsfield's highest offices » Berkshire Eagle

Politics

Democrat Dylan Fernandes raises $83K in bid for Plymouth and Barnstable Senate seat » Boston Herald

Healey to headline call for Biden write-in campaign in New Hampshire » Boston Globe

Trump likely to still appear on Maine ballot despite ruling, Massachusetts’ top elections official says » Boston Globe

FL: Why Democrats will face even more challenges with Latino voters in the coming year » WLRN

Mass. Gov. Healey, a Granite State native, lends a hand to get President Biden on NH primary ballot » MassLive

Public Health

Mass. resident dies from Legionnaires’ disease after visiting N.H. resort » WBUR

Public Safety

In wake of Burlington, Vt., shooting, experts say hate crime prosecutions are difficult and uncommon » Boston Globe

State Government

Healey to deliver her first ‘State of the Commonwealth’ address » News 22 WWLP.com

Gina Fiandaca no longer employed by Healey administration, official confirms » Boston Herald

Secretary Galvin pulls names for state presidential primary ballot order » Spectrum News

Take a look at the official $29K portrait of Charlie Baker » Boston.com

Prez Primary Ballot Order Set Through Luck Of Draw » State House News Service

Taxation

2024 is here, and tax relief with it » Boston.com

Utilities

Massachusetts making inventory of water lines to identify those made of lead » WBUR

One Turbine Working, But No Power Yet from Vineyard Wind » State House News Service

Job Board

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Recipe of the Week

Creamy White Beans With Herb Oil

Colu Henry — New York Times Cooking

Ingredients

For The Herb Oil:

½ cup roughly chopped chives

½ cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems

½ cup tightly packed basil leaves

½ cup olive oil

Squeeze of lemon

Kosher salt, to taste

For The Beans:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, like butter beans or cannellini, rinsed and drained

Kosher salt and black pepper

½ cup chicken stock, vegetable stock or water

Flaky salt, for serving (optional)

Directions

Make the oil: In a food processor, combine chives, cilantro and basil, and pulse until finely chopped. Add olive oil, and pulse again until mixture is silky and emulsified. Transfer to a small bowl, stir in lemon juice and salt to taste. Set aside.

Prepare the beans: In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent, about 1 minute. Add beans to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have melded, about 2 to 3 minutes. With the back of a spoon or spatula, smash about ⅓ to ½ cup of the beans and stir until they are incorporated into the rest of the bean mixture. A good portion of the remaining beans should maintain their structure.

Add stock or water and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until sauce becomes creamy and is reduced by about about half, about 1 to 2 minutes more. Smash additional beans and add a few more tablespoons of water, if needed, to reach desired consistency and stir again to combined.

Transfer beans to a bowl and swirl with herb oil on top. Season with flaky salt, if desired.



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