STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE EMPLOYERS WOULD SEE their long-term obligation to replenish the state’s unemployment insurance fund cut by $1 billion under a proposal Gov. Charlie Baker made on Wednesday, suggesting use of a large piece of the state’s sizable surplus to reduce the burden on businesses. Baker filed legislation to spend almost $1.57 billion […]
Massachusetts Legislature
Posted inPolitics
IRS says Rep. Linsky owes $154,000 in taxes
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE INTERNAL REVENUE Service has filed a hefty lien against a state representative for nonpayment of taxes, but the lawmaker said Tuesday that he has already paid off some of the bottom line, expects the lien to be lifted, and vowed to give the federal government “every dime” he owes. “I’ve […]
Posted inThe Download
Senate leaders cite ‘wisdom in waiting’ to spend ARPA money
Senate President Karen Spilka believes there is “wisdom in waiting” to spend federal COVID-19 recovery money. “We are no longer in the state of emergency, the major state of emergency at the height of COVID,” Spilka said. “We are no longer in the rescue situation where money needed to be spent urgently and quickly. We […]
Posted inUncategorized
Senate leaders cite ‘wisdom in waiting’ to spend ARPA money
SENATE PRESIDENT Karen Spilka believes there is “wisdom in waiting” to spend federal COVID-19 recovery money. “We are no longer in the state of emergency, the major state of emergency at the height of COVID,” Spilka said. “We are no longer in the rescue situation where money needed to be spent urgently and quickly. We […]
Posted inOpinion
2-month sales tax holiday makes sense to me
THINKING OUTSIDE the box is always difficult. We are pre-programmed to look at things in certain ways and seldom venture outside of our comfort zones. I confess, I am one of those individuals. However, when I first heard about Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal for a two-month sales tax holiday, for the months of August and […]
Posted inPolitics
Redistricting process could split some precincts
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE SOME LOCAL VOTING precincts may be split into two state legislative districts in the ongoing decennial redistricting effort, a top lawmaker said Monday during a hearing at which constituents called for reshaping the Fourth Congressional District. While the Legislature presses forward with a plan to amend the traditional process for redrawing […]
Posted inThe Download
In Beacon Hill Twitter battle, State House News Service beats Gov. Baker
Sorry, Gov. Charlie Baker. You may hold the corner office, but you’re only the second most influential voice on Beacon Hill Twitter. First prize goes to the press. In particular, the State House News Service, the indispensable wire service that covers every legislative session, myriad hearings, the governor, Legislature, and generally all things Beacon Hill. […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
In Beacon Hill Twitter battle, State House News Service beats Gov. Baker
SORRY, GOV. Charlie Baker. You may hold the corner office, but you’re only the second most influential voice on Beacon Hill Twitter. First prize goes to the press. In particular, the State House News Service, the indispensable wire service that covers every legislative session, myriad hearings, the governor, Legislature, and generally all things Beacon Hill. […]
Posted inUncategorized
No budget squeeze with extra billions
WITH AN EXTRA $4.2 billion at their disposal from surging tax revenues, House and Senate budget negotiators reached a deal fairly easily Thursday night on a compromise state budget for fiscal 2022. Instead of squabbling over scarce state resources, the biggest challenge for the negotiators was deciding what to do with all the additional money. […]
Posted inUncategorized
Mariano scores big victory on film tax credit
HOUSE SPEAKER Ron Mariano won a major victory in budget negotiations with the Senate as the January 2023 sunset date for the state’s film tax credit was eliminated and all the major financial incentives associated with the credit were retained. The one concession the House made to the Senate was acceptance of a provision requiring […]