Politics

Warren calls Baker detainer bill ‘un-American’

Warren calls Baker detainer bill ‘un-American’

Newton mayor says lack of due process rights is wrong

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NEWTON MAYOR and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Setti Warren doubled-down on his criticism of Gov. Charlie Baker’s ICE detainer legislation on Friday, calling the governor’s proposal “un-American.” Baker’s bill seeks to address a Supreme Judicial Court ruling that found police had no legal standing in Massachusetts to honor civil immigration detainer requests made by US Immigration(...)

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Baker, Warren not far apart on ICE detainers

Baker, Warren not far apart on ICE detainers

Despite Newton mayor's rhetoric, ordinance similar to governor's bill

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STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE NEWTON MAYOR SETTI WARREN unleashed a blistering attack on Gov. Charlie Baker this week in response to the governor’s filing of legislation that would allow police, in some cases, to detain someone already in custody at the request of federal immigration authorities. He accused the Republican governor of making Massachusetts police(...)

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Baker makes last-minute sales tax holiday pitch

Baker makes last-minute sales tax holiday pitch

One lawmaker, citing sluggish revenues, calls idea 'colossal mistake'

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STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Gov. Charlie Baker is mounting a late bid to return the popular sales tax holiday this year, formally asking lawmakers who have already begun their summer break to approve a proposal to hold the tax-free weekend in just 17 days. The governor’s plan received an underwhelming reaction from legislative leaders, with(...)

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Baker bill seeks some immigration detainer cooperation

Baker bill seeks some immigration detainer cooperation

Stakes out middle ground on police-ICE collaboration

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STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A PUSH FROM THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION to respond to a Supreme Judicial Court ruling and reinstate a policy allowing state and local police to cooperate, on a limited basis, with federal immigration detainer requests met stiff resistance from civil liberties activists who questioned the constitutionality of the governor’s actions. As foreshadowed(...)

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Lawmakers reject Baker’s MassHealth cuts

Lawmakers reject Baker’s MassHealth cuts

Legislature says it will come up with a Medicaid savings plan

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STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATS, insisting they needed more time to consider strategies to control cost growth in MassHealth and the broader health care system, turned aside Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposed Medicaid reforms on Wednesday as they worked to return to him a $200 million assessment on employers needed to balance the(...)

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House poised to reject Baker’s MassHealth reforms

House poised to reject Baker’s MassHealth reforms

Administration officials find tough going at legislative hearing

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STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE BAKER ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS on Tuesday urged lawmakers to get on board with reforms to rein in costs at MassHealth, but the House is poised on Wednesday to create a showdown with the governor by sending him back a $200 million package of new employer assessments and unemployment insurance rate relief without(...)

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Time to get MassHealth house in order

Opinion

Time to get MassHealth house in order

Business leaders says improper incentives, guardrails must end

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ELEVEN YEARS AGO, Chapter 58—also known as RomneyCare—was signed into law.  The landmark law was passed on the premise that there was a shared responsibility among all of us to be insured, offer affordable coverage, control costs, and to eliminate free riders in the system.  It was also passed with the promise that the Commonwealth will make it(...)

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Defending MassHealth reforms

Opinion

Defending MassHealth reforms

Package preserves, doesn't walk away from, universal health care

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MASSACHUSETTS HAS A LONG TRADITION of bipartisan health care reform.  Our outside-of-the-box thinking, willingness to be nimble as Washington dynamics shift, and resolve to embrace change are critical components in honoring our collective commitment to near universal health care coverage. Since passage of our state health care reform in 2006 and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Massachusetts has achieved the highest rate of health care(...)

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Let’s broaden the role of optometrists

Opinion

Let’s broaden the role of optometrists

Bill would make the change – and save state money

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IN EVERY OTHER STATE, optometrists prescribe oral antibiotics to treat ocular infections as well as treat and manage glaucoma. Massachusetts is the only state where this is not permitted. If a patient with one of these conditions presents at an optometrist’s office in the Commonwealth, the most he or she can do is make a(...)

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Mass. national parks desperately need new funding

Opinion

Mass. national parks desperately need new funding

Bill would divert oil, gas royalties to support repairs

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EVERY YEAR, millions of visitors flock to Massachusetts’ 15 national park and historic sites for fun and recreation. They leave with a better understanding of our nation’s past and the places that define our cultural heritage.  While our national parks are more popular than ever, they face an extraordinary challenge: $11.3 billion in long-deferred infrastructure(...)

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