Keller on the ballot question itch

Keller at Large

In an era of scorched-earth political discourse, where dull-witted oversimplifications of complex issues and self-indulgent spasms of ginned-up outrage too often substitute for serious debate, last week’s State House News Service/MASSterList forum with House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka (moderated by yours truly) was a welcome relief. Disagreements notwithstanding, the legislative leaders explained their positions at length before an audience that asked respectful questions and listened politely.

But it didn’t take long for pitiful political reality to intrude. As he exited the hall, Mariano was accosted by a camera-wielding troll from a local right-wing group who demanded to know if the speaker would “stand in the way” of a proposed ballot question cutting the state income tax rate by 20 percent if the voters approve it this fall.

“It remains to be seen what the vote looks like,” replied Mariano, who was then heckled over the legislative audit controversy as he made his way to his car.

Instant clickbait for the profiteers of the right and their gullible customers, who’ve long ago internalized the easy stereotype of political leaders (at least, the ones they don’t have a cult-like infatuation with) as arrogant tyrants who contemptuously dismiss the “will of the voters.”

But if they bother to watch the in-depth discussion of ballot questions that took place during the forum they might accidentally learn something.

As Mariano pointed out in response to criticism from the left over the legislature’s response to ICE excesses, it’s “not always easy” to get 81 votes for “a policy that protects the immigrants.” (Note to mouth-breathers who get their “news” from Instagram: 81 votes is a simple majority of the House.)

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HAPPENING TODAY

9:00 | The Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in four cases, including a matter dealing with when the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission may refuse to issue a lottery sales agent license. | John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Sq., Boston | More Info

9:00 | Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, labor leaders, apprentices and other state and local officials celebrate Women in Construction Week. The event is meant to bring together those who want to advance women in construction and women apprentices. Women working in construction will also share their experiences and discuss efforts to increase women’s diversity in construction. | Pipefitters Local 537, 40 Enterprise St., Dorchester

10:30 | Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hosts a roundtable with small business owners to discuss the city of Boston’s efforts to improve the permitting process and hear feedback on what more can be done. | The Substation, 4228 Washington Street, Roslindale

3:30 | Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll meets with the Romanian ambassador, Andrei Mararu. | Governor’s Ceremonial Office, State House, Boston

5:00 | The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission and the Municipal Police Training Committee invite public comments on a proposed model use of force policy through Monday. Comments can be emailed to POSTC-comments@mass.gov or mailed to POST and MPTC. | Draft Regulations

6:15 | Gov. Maura Healey celebrates the Olympic medalists who are Boston Fleet hockey players and won Gold for Team USA and Bronze for Switzerland. | View Boston, 800 Boylston St., Boston

CARPENTERS BACK KOH FOR CONGRESS

The 30,000-member North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters has endorsed Dan Koh in the race to replace Rep. Seth Moulton.

“His progression and diversity of public service will make Dan Koh an impactful member of Congress on day one,” Joe Byrne, the union’s executive secretary-treasurer, said in a statement. “We know that he will effectively advance the rights and economic interests of working people in this country because Dan Koh’s focus will be our members and the hundreds of millions of Americans who, like us, want to be treated fairly on the job and in our economy.”

The union is based in Dorchester, home to labor leader Marty Walsh, who had Koh as his chief of staff in Boston City Hall. They went on to work together in the Biden administration.

Koh has racked up dozens of endorsements from labor unions, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He has also raised $2 million for his campaign for Moulton’s seat.

The open seat has drawn a large field of candidates, including state Rep. Tram Nguyen, former state Rep. Jamie Belsito, entrepreneur John Beccia, and Moulton chief of staff Rick Jakious, among others. All are Democrats, with the exception of attorney Micah Jones, who is running as a Republican. – Gintautas Dumcius

FROM BEACON HILL

HEALEY AIDE: The Trump administration must act within 10 days on a work authorization application filed by a Healey administration aide. The aide, Valentina Amaro Bowser, a media director and Venezuelan immigrant, is on leave and has Gov. Maura Healey’s support in the legal fight. – Boston Globe

SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS: Sheriffs, who in Massachusetts are administrators overseeing county jails, have a budget process that is “opaque, chaotic and deeply flawed,” the office of Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro said in a report. It’s not just the fault of the sheriffs, the report says, but also that of state lawmakers, who requested Shapiro’s review months ago. – WBUR

SERVICE PLAZA SAGA: The inspector general also weighed in on the Mass. Department of Transportation’s procurement process for the operation and refurbishment of 18 service plazas, finding that there were rules breaches that hurt the integrity of the process. The procurement problems are highlighted as MassDOT laces up for a new procurement process for the service plazas, as well as the replacement of the Cape Cod bridges. – Worcester Telegram

DOWNING TO CEC: The board of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has appointed former state Sen. Ben Downing as the next CEO of the quasi-public economic development agency. Downing is the chief growth officer at MIT’s The Engine nonprofit. – Boston Business Journal

NEWS NEXT DOOR

IRAN REACTIONS: Members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation called the Trump administration’s attack on Iran illegal and unconstitutional, and said they would vote on a bipartisan war powers resolution this week. Local Iranians indicated mixed feelings. – MassLive and GBH News

SIX-FIGURE OFFICERS: Thirty-three Boston police officers made $400,000 or more last year, helping to bring the overall city payroll to $2.45 billion. – Boston Herald

TRAHAN CHALLENGERS: Rep. Lori Trahan could face several challengers – a fellow Democrat, a Republican and an independent – as political newcomers indicated interest in taking on the incumbent. – Eagle-Tribune

CAR TALK: More Massachusetts residents are flunking drivers tests than a decade ago, as teenagers aren’t as interested in getting a license, or paying close attention during classes. The stats come as more aggressive driving and road rage is on display. – MassLive

SNOW REMOVAL COSTS: Pittsfield has already blown through its snow removal budget, hitting $1.8 million in mid-February when the city had pegged the costs at $1.1 million in the fiscal year 2026 budget. – Berkshire Eagle

TOO EARLY FOR 2028: Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg was coy about another run for president during an appearance in Amherst to sign some books. “I don’t know what 2028 will bring for me, but I know that people like me need to be very busy in 2026 making ourselves useful for candidates that cause a new movement,” he told former Atlantic managing editor Cullen Murphy. – Daily Hampshire Gazette

LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP: The Wu administration is looking to increase Black life expectancy after a study showed a gap for Black residents of Boston. The steps include a $1 million fund and a new partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. – Universal Hub

HIGHER ED EXODUS: Amid a volatile political climate and threats to federal funding for higher education, other countries and states have stepped up efforts to lure away researchers from places like Harvard. – MassLive