[Ed. Note: In recognition of the election of former state rep. Jim Lyons as the new GOP chairperson yesterday, I am updating this post from a couple years back. It counters the persistent myth that Speaker DeLeo's iron control over the … [Read more...]
Fixed it for you, New York Times
A New York Times story on what should be the completely unsurprising observation that Republican governors in heavily Democratic states are running away from Trump rather than toward him includes this sentence about our own chief … [Read more...]
“Lawmaking by Ambush”
Who among us has not wondered -- exactly how does the Speaker of the House manage to keep such tight control on proceedings, passing bills he likes and bottling up those he doesn't? Here's a blow-by-blow example of a bill in the Speaker's … [Read more...]
In the House, Democratic Principles Matter Less than Democratic Incumbents
One might have thought, in this blue state and in this year of the woman, that the activities of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus would not come under criticism from the highest-ranking female leader in the House of … [Read more...]
Well, that extra revenue is disappearing fast
Last week we learned that Massachusetts is going to have about $1.2 billion more state tax revenues this fiscal year than the $27.5 billion amount that lawmakers forecast in January. Good news to be sure, but there’s a broad consensus … [Read more...]
The Fair Share Tax is OFF the ballot
A 5-2 decision (Justice Lenk concurring and Justices Budd and Gants dissenting). From the majority opinion: "We conclude that the initiative petition should not have been certified by the Attorney General as 'in proper form for … [Read more...]
Ever wonder what it would take…
for the most right-wing members of our House of Representatives, departing from long-standing traditions, to argue passionately for millions more in state funding for mental health services, and for the right of all persons, regardless … [Read more...]
Is the GOP’s House Budget Debate Schtick Running Out of Steam?
For years, going back into the Patrick administration, the Republican members of the House of Representatives have staged a show during that chamber's annual budget debate in which they offer an amendment to focus universal opprobrium on … [Read more...]
A Good Criminal Justice Reform Bill from the Legislature
The House-Senate conference committee negotiating a compromise criminal justice reform bill finished its work yesterday, agreeing on a comprehensive bill that, in the words of Senate Judiciary Chair William Brownsberger, "is about lifting … [Read more...]
The Cannabis Commission Forsakes Its Mission Statement
The Cannabis Control Commission promised in its mission statement "to encourage and enable full participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana … [Read more...]
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