Shira Schoenberg

Reporter, CommonWealth

About Shira Schoenberg

Shira Schoenberg is a reporter at CommonWealth magazine. Shira previously worked for more than seven years at the Springfield Republican/MassLive.com where she covered state politics and elections, covering topics as diverse as the launch of the legal marijuana industry, problems with the state's foster care system and the elections of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Gov. Charlie Baker. Shira won the Massachusetts Bar Association's 2018 award for Excellence in Legal Journalism and has had several stories win awards from the New England Newspaper and Press Association. Shira covered the 2012 New Hampshire presidential primary for the Boston Globe. Before that, she worked for the Concord (N.H.) Monitor, where she wrote about state government, City Hall and Barack Obama's 2008 New Hampshire primary campaign. Shira holds a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

About Shira Schoenberg

Shira Schoenberg is a reporter at CommonWealth magazine. Shira previously worked for more than seven years at the Springfield Republican/MassLive.com where she covered state politics and elections, covering topics as diverse as the launch of the legal marijuana industry, problems with the state's foster care system and the elections of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Gov. Charlie Baker. Shira won the Massachusetts Bar Association's 2018 award for Excellence in Legal Journalism and has had several stories win awards from the New England Newspaper and Press Association. Shira covered the 2012 New Hampshire presidential primary for the Boston Globe. Before that, she worked for the Concord (N.H.) Monitor, where she wrote about state government, City Hall and Barack Obama's 2008 New Hampshire primary campaign. Shira holds a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

Stories by Shira Schoenberg

Sudders acknowledges staffing problems at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

Says more employees would not have prevented COVID outbreak

SJC takes up local control of marijuana licensing

Host community agreements make towns gatekeepers of state approval

Marijuana retailers sue over home delivery rules 

Highlights schism within industry over equity 

Domestic violence homicides decline during pandemic 

Advocates worry more victims are staying with abusers 

Tax revenues expected to grow by 3.5 percent next year 

Heffernan revises tax forecast up by $700m in current year 

Reform advocates will press for changes in House rules

Campaign seeks to open legislative process

Jan. 13, 2018

Baker signs $626 million economic development bill 

New law includes long-sought zoning reform 

Bill would let hotels assess guest fee

Money raised in tourism districts would support marketing

Baker to sign bill on emergency room access

'Laura’s Law' imposes signage, lighting requirements

July 22, 2019

Mayor Alex Morse did not violate UMass policies with online chats 

Investigation finds Holyoke mayor made students uncomfortable  

Poll finds racial tilt on government priorities

Black, Latino residents more supportive of interventions

06/10/20

Baker signs campus sexual assault bill, approves deal affecting craft brewers 

Governor also signs bill requiring sewage discharge notifications 

Future of food delivery fees up to Gov. Baker

Pending bill would cap commissions at 15%

Turnout numbers highlight wealth, racial disparities 

Poorer cities had lower voter participation 

Reaction to Capitol violence highlights GOP schism

Mass. Republicans dispute whether to blame Trump

Whalen: ‘Serious threat to our democracy’

BU historian traces roots of violence at the Capitol

SJC to consider if car-sharing differs from car rentals

Turo sued for operating at Logan Airport

Lots of bills land on Baker’s desk

What the Legislature did – and didn’t - do in late-night session

Mariano elected speaker again; Spilka, too

Uyterhoeven votes present, slams House progressives

House, Senate finish by moving finish line

Transportation, economic development bills gain approval

Sweating it out on Beacon Hill like it’s July

Economic development, transportation still outstanding

Climate bill would clear up solar tax confusion

Assessors, solar developers hammered out deal

SJC says Uber agreements with riders unenforceable 

Terms and conditions do not give ‘reasonable’ notice 

New senators Cronin, Gomez pledge focus on equity

Lunenburg and Springfield Dems share expectations for new roles

Ronald Mariano elected speaker of the Massachusetts House 

‘We must live in the world of the possible,’ new leader says

Business groups urge passage of Baker’s unemployment insurance bill

Employer costs expected to rise 60 percent next year without relief

How do you teach hands-on voc tech remotely?

Schools get creative – remote demos, typing blood at home

The intersection of race, COVID-19, and the arts 

BAMS Fest founder Catherine Morris sees peril – and opportunity – in the moment  

Mariano pledges to lead with an open mind

Cites shift on millionaire’s tax after 2 no votes

New year will usher in 2018’s ‘grand bargain’

New benefits for workers, higher costs for businesses