Education, business, and government entities in the Bay State expressed outrage and despair at the US Supreme Court decision striking down the use of race in college admissions, which sets up an uncertain path to boosting diversity across schools and workforces. The court considered two cases challenging affirmative action – at Harvard and the University […]
Supreme Court
Posted inEducation
Mass. scrambles after affirmative action ruling
EDUCATION, BUSINESS, AND government entities in the Bay State expressed outrage and despair at the US Supreme Court decision striking down the use of race in college admissions, which sets up an uncertain path to boosting diversity across schools and workforces. The court considered two cases challenging affirmative action – at Harvard and the University […]
Posted inRace/Racism
Could Harvard affirmative action ruling threaten Boston exam school policies?
ALL EYES IN the higher education world are on the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule any day on whether universities can use race as a factor in admissions decisions. But the case – involving Harvard and the University of North Carolina – could have ripple effects into K-12 education that land squarely in […]
Posted inHealth Care
Healey warns pharmacies to keep abortion meds stocked
WITH ACCESS TO a widely-used abortion medication on the line, Massachusetts is trying to walk and chew gum at the same time – warning local pharmacies that they must continue supplying the medications, while gearing up for a potentially disruptive ruling out of Texas that could throw abortion care systems into chaos. “Clarifying guidance” from the […]
Posted inOpinion
What the Supreme Court’s Second Amendment expansion means for gun safety
THE SUPREME COURT ruled last week, in New York Rifle and Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, that all “law-abiding” Americans have a right to carry a gun outside the home for self-defense. The decision will have serious implications for gun safety and, as its most near-term consequence, will limit the scope of existing gun license procedures in […]
Posted inHealth Care
Overturning Affordable Care Act could cost Massachusetts billions
THE US SUPREME COURT heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could overturn the Affordable Care Act – with major economic and health insurance implications for Massachusetts. Two key justices – Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh – sent signals that they were not inclined to throw out the entire law, but uncertainty over what the court will […]
Posted inEconomy
Supreme Court holds up citizenship question on census
IN A BLOW TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, the Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a citizenship question from being added to the 2020 Census, partially because the Commerce Department’s initial explanation for why it decided to include it appeared to be “contrived.” In a 5-4 decision, the justices sent back to a lower court the case challenging whether the census should contain a citizenship question. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey was one […]
Posted inOpinion
Massachusetts cannot afford an undercount in 2020
TODAY, THE US SUPREME COURT is hearing oral arguments on the addition of a question about citizenship on the 2020 Census. This proposed question compounds the climate of fear and distrust in the federal government and likely would lead to lower response rates among immigrant communities. Massachusetts has the seventh highest proportion of residents who are immigrants. […]
Posted inGambling
Making book on Beacon Hill
MONDAY’S RULING FROM the U.S. Supreme Court that states are free to legalize sports betting opened the door to the possibility of a further expansion of gaming in Massachusetts, a topic Gov. Charlie Baker is planning to talk about with legislative leaders Monday afternoon. The decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, which the […]
Posted inThe Download
Ma$$ Vega$
If the Supreme Court strikes down or alters the federal statute limiting sports wagering to just four states, you can bet the Massachusetts Legislature will take a long hard look at legalizing it because, well, money. Moral arguments about the dangers of gambling will get sufficient air – some people will even mean it – but […]