... of idling traffic:Poorly maintained and badly timed traffic signals are needlessly compoundinggridlock and air pollution in American cities, according to a newnational report...The report, issued by a coalition oftransportation agencies … [Read more...]

The Somerville News is reporting that Somerville Alderman Sean O'Donovan and Sean Fitzgerald, Sen. Shannon's chief of staff, are both in the race to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Shannon's death.  The same News story reports that state … [Read more...]

It was pretty cool, really.  There were Charley on the MTA and I, your humble Blue Mass. Groupers, on a conference call with about eight other blogger types (including real fancy ones like MyDD's Chris Bowers, Mr. Liberal Oasis, and … [Read more...]

Now, Newt's a pretty interesting guy to talk about the future, becauseas David Ellwood said in his introduction, he was envisioning aRepublican majority from the moment he was elected to the House as a35-year-old in 1978. His ideas have … [Read more...]

The Globe is reporting that Tom Reilly has pledged that he is "not going to raise taxes" if he becomes Governor.  This is in contrast to Deval Patrick's position, which is a "no needless taxes" pledge. [UPDATE: The … [Read more...]

State rep. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) has said that she is a candidate to fill the state Senate seat of the late Charlie Shannon (D-Winchester).  She appears to be the first to publicly declare her candidacy.  The date for the … [Read more...]

So it turns out that the guy who has been arrested for the long-unsolved murder of fashion writer and Truro resident Christa Worthington has a substantial criminal record and several restraining orders against him in domestic cases.  … [Read more...]

State House News Service's invaluable weekly roundup reports today that the House Ways & Means Committee's budget looks unusually similar to Romney's, and that neither contains much good news.  Education and local aid are both well … [Read more...]

General impressions.  Patrick is a very good public speaker.  He is not bombastic or preachy, but he speaks with eloquence and with a sort of understated yet deeply-felt passion that is nice to hear.  He's also genuinely … [Read more...]

He's officially in the race. Story here:"All over the state people tell me the same things," he said. "Oureconomy is weak at best and has no credible champion for businessdevelopment. Our public schools -- from kindergarten … [Read more...]