Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Matt Murphy, State House News Service

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Governor Baker signs new solar energy law

Joined by Democratic legislative leaders, Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday morning signed a solar energy bill that industry stakeholders said will unclog a pipeline...

State lawmakers examine Governor patrick’s $36.4 billion budget

Gov. Deval Patrick’s budget chief on Tuesday defended his administration’s commitment to helping cities and towns in the face of criticism from municipal leaders...

Governor Patrick sues to block Wampanoag casino plan in Aquinnah

At issue is whether federal Indian gaming regulations trump a 1987 agreement to follow state and local laws.

Senator Wolf may keep seat during review of ethics rules

Whether Sen. Wolf can resume his campaign for governor is still an open question of ethics.

Senator Dan Wolf will appeal ethics commission ruling

In an about face, he said he would not resign his post Thursday

On heels of House vote, Governor eyes larger tax package

As Island taxpayers contemplate town spending during annual town meeting season they can look forward to more hikes at the state level.

Gov robocalls for taxes to teachers unions

Paid for by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the calls are an effort to enlist teachers in the gov's push for tax increases.

Lawmakers spurn governor’s plan to reform housing authority

The governor proposes to consolidate local housing authorities, but the General Court has other ideas.

Governor proposes municipal unemployment insurance reform

Responding to complaints about local public employees abusing the municipal unemployment benefit system, Gov.

Dr. Donald Berwick, seasonal resident, considers run for governor

Mr. Berwick said he planned to spend the next few weeks seeking input from as wide a network as possible.

Health insurance changes will hit Massachusetts hard

Massachusetts families and small businesses are scheduled to be hit with higher health insurance premiums starting in 2014 when a new federal tax on health plans kicks in, jeopardizing the state's efforts to rein in health care spending, according to a new report and industry leaders.

Mayors push Governor Patrick to advance Amazon tax talks

Martha's Vineyard shoppers who take advantage of online shopping could soon be paying more for purchases.

Mass unemployment numbers up to 6.1 percent

Massachusetts employers added 1,600 jobs in July, but the state's unemployment rate ticked up slightly for the first time in three years.

Governor, DPH scraps school bake sale ban

Public and legislative criticism raged, so the Patrick administration backed off the bake sale decision.

Mass Senate energy bill tackles high costs

Legislation aimed at tackling the drivers of high energy costs in Massachusetts unveiled Monday by state senators closely mirror a bill released last week opening up long-term renewable energy contracts to competitive bidding and more than doubling the amount of renewables required to be purchased by utilities.

Ballot question would prioritize teacher evaluations over tenure in hiring

A major ad campaign produced by the backers of a ballot initiative that would prioritize teacher evaluations over seniority in hiring, firing and tenure decisions hit the airwaves Monday morning.

Massachsetts cities, towns, schools embrace insurance overhaul

More than 125 cities, towns, and school districts in Massachusetts have taken steps to adopt municipal health insurance reform options made available under a 2011 law or recently used collective bargaining to shave health care costs, according to an update on the law, which estimates savings to date have reached $80 million.

Bidding included in bill raising renewable energy requirements

In the wake of criticism over the cost to ratepayers of long-term energy contracts signed by National Grid and NStar to purchase power from Cape Wind, a panel of lawmakers on Tuesday endorsed a bill that would introduce competitive bidding to the renewable energy marketplace while more than doubling the amount of renewably energy utilities must purchase.

Senate bill targeting drug abuse would require doctor registration

Doctors who prescribe controlled substances would be required to register with the state's prescription monitoring program under a Senate bill aimed at cracking down on prescription drug abuse.