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LATEST VIDEO | GAS SAFETY BILL ON DECEMBER TO-DO LIST, DeLEO AND SPILKA SAY
12/10/18 5:18 PM
The top two Democrats in the Legislature said Monday that before the end of the year they want to pass legislation filed by Gov. Charlie Baker to improve the safety of gas infrastructure work. Read More
TOP STATE OFFICIALS DISCUSS STATE HOUSE CHANGES
12/10/18 4:59 PM
Top leaders from the executive and legislative branches discussed Monday potential changes that could be coming to the Massachusetts State House, the fourth oldest capitol building in America. Read More
AS EDUCATION ACTIVISTS PRESS, PEYSER SAYS STATE "TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN"
12/10/18 3:20 PM
A group of parents and advocates making their case for revamping the state's school funding system on Monday nearly crossed paths with a top education official on his way to a budget office meeting. Read More
Members of Stand for Children Massachusetts delivered more than 1,700 letters to Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday asking for equity in school funding. [Photo: Katie Lannan/SHNS] | Hi-Res
HOUSE SESSION - MONDAY, DEC. 12, 2018
12/10/18 12:22 PM
The House enacted a handful of sick leave bank and liquor license bills during its first of two scheduled sessions this week and also adopted an amendment offered by Bills in Third Reading Committee Chairman Rep. Theodore Speliotis to a bill (H 4824) dealing with lease pricing for yacht clubs on state-owned land, which precluded a vote on a separate amendment filed by Gov. Charlie Baker back in July. Read More
PROGRESSIVE FIND FEW ON BEACON HILL WORTHY OF TOP GRADES
12/10/18 10:51 AM
Advocacy group Progressive Massachusetts on Monday released its latest legislative scorecard, giving "A" grades to just three state representatives and four senators, and using the grades to call for more transparency on Beacon Hill. Read More
SOBER DRIVERS, SAFE TRAVELS URGED IN NEW STATE AD CAMPAIGN
12/10/18 8:00 AM
State public safety officials Monday are launching a statewide public information campaign about the dangers of driving drunk or stoned and a mobilization of police officers to conduct "stringent" impaired driving enforcement operations this holiday season. Read More
AIR SAFE SLAPPED WITH $28,500 PENALTY FOR ASBESTOS VIOLATIONS
12/10/18 4:19 PM
State regulators have hit a company called Air Safe with a $28,500 penalty for asbestos violations. Read More
WESTERN MASS. FREIGHT RAIL IMPROVEMENTS SEEN AS CLOSING "CRUCIAL GAP"
12/10/18 1:39 PM
Federal funds will help upgrade the New England Central Railroad main line through western Massachusetts, making the north-south line ready to handle the standard weight of modern freight cars, according to Sen. Edward Markey's office. Read More
STATE OFFICIALS DETAIL OPPOSITION TO "PUBLIC CHARGE" RULE CHANGE
12/10/18 1:10 PM
Seven health, human services and community development officials from across the Baker administration went on record Monday against a proposed federal rule change that would restrict the ability of immigrants to obtain green cards if they receive public benefits including Medicaid or food stamps. Read More
SYSTEM SHUTDOWN PLANNED AS HEALTH LICENSING MOVES ONLINE
12/10/18 12:34 PM
Health professionals who use the state's e-licensing system will be unable to apply for or renew licenses from Friday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. until Monday, Jan. 7, at 10 a.m., in order to facilitate a system upgrade. Read More
SENATE SESSION – MONDAY, DEC. 10, 2018
12/10/18 12:25 PM
The Massachusetts Senate on Monday passed a bill establishing a provisional licensure for speech-language pathologists. Currently, speech-language pathologists in Massachusetts must complete their clinical fellowship before they can be licensed. Read More
ETHICS COMMISSION ISSUES REMINDER ON GIFT RESTRICTIONS
12/10/18 11:22 AM
With the gift-giving season underway, the State Ethics Commission on Monday reminded state, county and municipal employees that accepting certain gifts could violate state ethics laws. Read More
LAWMAKERS SET HEARING ON GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION EFFORTS
12/10/18 11:11 AM
In the wake of dire climate warnings from federal scientists, Sen. Marc Pacheco and Rep. Frank Smizik are teaming up to host an oversight hearing this month to gauge the state's progress in meeting its carbon emission reduction mandates. Read More
SPILKA TO NATIONAL GRID: END THE LOCKOUT "IMMEDIATELY"
12/10/18 10:27 AM
Newly in possession of a House-approved locked out worker benefit bill, Senate leaders said Monday they are ready to intervene if National Grid won't end its lock out of union gas workers voluntarily. Read More
Friday, Dec. 7, 2018
WEEKLY ROUNDUP – NOT THE MOST FESTIVE OF FESTIVITIES
12/7/18 6:05 PM
Two hundred and forty-five years ago this month, the Sons of Liberty boarded British ships and threw chests of tea into the harbor to protest taxes. At the moment, animosity toward National Grid over its lockout of 1,200 union gas workers has not quite reached Townshend Acts proportions, but Beacon Hill is still talking about "sending a message across the Atlantic" over how the British utility is treating its workers in the colony. Read More
In her final floor speech after two decades in the Legislature, Chairwoman Cory Atkins of Concord looked directly at Speaker Robert DeLeo while criticizing his leadership style. She said the speaker used to ask members for their votes "rather than expecting me to offer a pledge." [Photo: House Broadcast Service via SHNS] | Hi-Res
GAMING REVENUE A MYSTERY AS OFFICIALS SIZE UP $$$
12/7/18 12:54 PM
State budget writers got estimates on all kinds of expected state revenue when they sat down Wednesday to begin their preparations for drafting the fiscal 2020 spending plan, but one category was conspicuously absent. Read More
ELDER AFFAIRS SECRETARY BONNER TO LEAVE IN JANUARY
12/7/18 5:36 PM
Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner, appointed to her position by Gov. Charlie Baker in 2015, plans to leave the administration next month to take a new job with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement focused on improving elder care delivery. Read More
ADVANCES - WEEK OF DEC. 9, 2018
12/7/18 5:32 PM
Safety concerns, development impacts and the five-month lockout of 1,200 workers within the natural gas industry continue to generate headlines in Massachusetts and the Energy Committee on Tuesday plans to gavel in an oversight hearing specifically focused on industry safety. Read More
GRID, UNION REPS TO START MEETING DAILY STARTING DEC. 17
12/7/18 5:19 PM
Days after lawmakers threatened to intervene in the labor dispute between National Grid and the United Steelworkers, the company said Friday that a "constructive" bargaining session on Friday had led to a commitment to meet daily starting Dec. 17 until a deal can be reached. Read More
