Healey: Baker plays it safe

AG slams governor for failing to articulate vision

By Michael P. Norton Charlie Baker, Elections 0 Comments Jun 2, 2018

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WHILE MANY DEMOCRATS hoped she would challenge Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey is going for four more years in her current job. On Friday night, her party mates rallied around her bid to stay put at One Ashburton Place, but also responded with zeal as she took a few(...)

Repeal of transgender protections unlikely

Poll shows 52% of voters support keeping law in place

By Maeve Duggan Elections 0 Comments Jun 1, 2018

VOTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS this November will be asked whether to uphold or repeal a 2016 law prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in public places. The law allows transgender people to use bathrooms and lockers rooms consistent with their gender identity, rather than their sex at birth. The idea of repealing the law does not(...)

Our wheezing democracy

Conflicting ballot questions underscore inaction on Beacon Hill

By Michael Jonas Massachusetts politics, Millionaire's tax, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments May 31, 2018

WHO ARE YOU going to turn to make important decisions affecting the state? The sluggish Legislature or schizophrenic, knee-jerk electorate? Those seem to be the less-than-compelling options at this point in dealing with a set of questions that will have enormous implications for the state’s budget and initiatives we look for it to fund. Lawmakers(...)

Our wheezing democracy

By CommonWealth Staff Massachusetts politics, Millionaire's tax, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments May 31, 2018

Who are you going to turn to make important decisions affecting the state? The sluggish Legislature or schizophrenic, knee-jerk electorate? Those seem to be the less-than-compelling options at this point in dealing with a set of questions that will have enormous implications for the state’s budget and initiatives we look for it to fund. Lawmakers(...)

Opinion

Getting the CA, NJ perspective on millionaire tax

Taxing highest incomes to make public investments works

By Chris Hoene and Gordon MacInnes Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments May 27, 2018

AS MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS weigh a ballot initiative to raise the tax rate on personal income over $1 million, the experience of other states can provide important insights about the likely impact. Consider our two states. New Jersey’s top tax rate on very high incomes is currently about 9 percent, the rate proposed in Massachusetts. California’s(...)

NFL owners yield to Trump, bottom line

New policy states players must stand on the sidelines or remain in locker room during the national anthem

By Michael Jonas Criminal justice reform, discrimination, Donald Trump, NFL, police brutality 0 Comments May 24, 2018

In the end, the megamillionaire NFL owners decided to take a knee. Not a knee of protest or principle, as some of their employees pursued last season, but a knee of supplication. They bowed down to the royal leader, King Donald, hoping their new policy would satisfy his highness’s imperial ragings and lead him to(...)

A point-counterpoint on millionaire migration patterns

Sullivan of Pioneer Institute vs. Young of Stanford

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments May 22, 2018

A new report from the Pioneer Institute is raising alarms about the proposed millionaire tax by questioning the research of an academic who has claimed that higher taxes on the rich do not prompt large numbers of them to move out of state. The report, written by Pioneer’s research director, Greg Sullivan, takes to task(...)

A missing pair of Sox

Team removes plaques honoring former owner and GM over alleged racism

By Jack Sullivan Boston Politics, Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, John Henry, Racism, Tom Yawkey, Yawkey Way 0 Comments May 21, 2018

AMID ALL THE FUROR over changing the name of Yawkey Way to Jersey Street because of the alleged racist attitudes of the late Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey, the team has quietly removed plaques at an entrance to Fenway Park honoring the longtime owner as well as that of former general manager Eddie Collins, who(...)

Gag rule impacts Massachusetts

New move to withhold funding from clinics providing abortion services could affect all states

By Jack Sullivan Abortion Rights, Health, Massachusetts politics, National Politics, President Trump, women's rights 0 Comments May 18, 2018

In Massachusetts, we view abortion rights as settled law, though acknowledging that there are still pockets of deep opposition. The debate over abortion rights rarely rises to an issue in federal or local races here because state law is so firm on a woman’s right to choose that a vocal opponent rarely has a chance(...)