GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Friday declined to say whether he supports or opposes the abortion access measure passed by the House on Thursday, but he indicated he did not like the fact that it was approved as an amendment to the state budget. Baker said he typically does not comment on bills making their way […]
Massachusetts Legislature
Posted inUncategorized
House passes abortion access budget amendment
A LAME DUCK House passed a budget amendment Thursday night that would allow women as young as 16 to obtain abortions without parental or judicial approval and would also expand access to abortion when the fetus is older than 24 weeks. Backers of the amendment, which passed by a vote of 108-49, characterized it as […]
Posted inUncategorized
Senate spending plan hews close to House version
THE SENATE WAYS and Means Committee on Thursday released its own nearly $46 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2021, a 5.5 percent spending increase over the current year, which is in many ways similar to the budget proposal currently being debated in the House. The House’s initial proposal was slightly higher – $46.021 billion – […]
Posted inThe Download
House budget addresses COVID-related education dilemmas
The coronavirus pandemic created – and exposed – multiple problems with the state’s education system, from preschool through high school. Now, lawmakers appear poised to use the must-pass vehicle of the annual state budget to begin figuring out how to address some of these issues. A large consolidated amendment passed at the end of Tuesday’s […]
Posted inEducation
House budget addresses COVID-related education dilemmas
THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic created – and exposed – multiple problems with the state’s education system, from preschool through high school. Now, lawmakers appear poised to use the must-pass vehicle of the annual state budget to begin figuring out how to address some of these issues. A large consolidated amendment passed at the end of Tuesday’s […]
Posted inOpinion
Warning: Debt collection tsunami coming
THERE’S A SECOND COVID-related wave about to hit families in the Commonwealth: a tsunami of debt collection activity that threatens our economic recovery. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, 20 percent of folks in Massachusetts had a debt in collection–rising to an eye popping 39 percent in communities of color, according to the Urban Institute. These […]
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House rejects tax amendment as budget debate opens
AS THE HOUSE began its first day of debate on the state budget on Tuesday, progressives were defeated in their attempt to add new revenue. But some progressives remain hopeful about another amendment, to create emergency sick time for workers, that has gotten more widespread support. The House is debating its $46 billion fiscal 2021 […]
Posted inThe Download
Tran’s concession statement reflects his isolation
Sen. Dean Tran of Fitchburg posted a concession statement of sorts on Facebook over the weekend that seemed to capture the isolation he felt on Beacon Hill. Tran lost a close race to Democratic political newcomer John Cronin, who had relentlessly attacked the Republican incumbent for the disciplinary action the full Senate took against him […]
Posted inPolitics
Tran’s concession statement reflects his isolation
SEN. DEAN TRAN of Fitchburg posted a concession statement of sorts on Facebook over the weekend that seemed to capture the isolation he felt on Beacon Hill. Tran lost a close race to Democratic political newcomer John Cronin, who had relentlessly attacked the Republican incumbent for the disciplinary action the full Senate took against him […]
Posted inState House News Service, Uncategorized
DeLeo backs budget debate on abortion access
HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo said late last week that he would frown on lawmakers using the budget as a vehicle for major policy reforms, but he backed off that stance yesterday in announcing a reproductive rights amendment sponsored by Rep. Claire Cronin of Easton would be taken up during budget deliberations this week. Cronin’s amendment […]