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Gun law reformers and gun rights advocates to converge at State House hearing today

House Democrats will hold a hearing on their overhaul of Massachusetts firearms laws Tuesday morning and the venue they chose — Gardner Auditorium, the State House’s largest hearing room — is a sign of the interest it is expected to draw from people and organizations around the state. A summary and analysis of the bill produced by Gun Owners’ Action […]

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Gov. Healey’s ‘Cutting Taxes, Saving You Money’ tour: Does it have a ring to it?

If a jam-packed, jovial bill-signing event in the State House Library was not enough of a sign, then a new statewide tour will certainly showcase Gov. Maura Healey in celebration mode. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll plan a pair of stops today in Gardner and Haverhill to discuss tax relief that will support children and families in Massachusetts […]

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To MCAS, or not to MCAS? It’s a question that will be hotly debated,

The campaign to cease the use of MCAS scores as a graduation requirement could produce one of the most bruising political fights of the two-year cycle, and a legislative hearing this afternoon (2 p.m.) will mark one of the opening volleys. Supporters and opponents of the standardized testing reform will descend into the State House’s Gardner Auditorium for […]

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Wattage shortage: Offshore wind conference to confront stalled progres

Offshore wind power players will flock to Boston today for a conference and exhibition about an industry that has promised transformative impacts. Getting them to stay in Massachusetts seems to be the harder part. The two-day Offshore WINDPOWER hosted by the American Clean Power Association that runs through Wednesday comes at an especially precipitous time for the […]

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Lack of action on final spending bill means MA’s books are still open

While the outlook for the next six weeks on Beacon Hill remains mostly opaque now that a tax relief bill is on Gov. Maura Healey‘s desk, there’s one item lawmakers undoubtedly need to tackle: a final wrap-up spending bill for fiscal year 2023. Every year, the Legislature needs to approve a closeout budget to balance state […]

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MBTA leaders looking for safer path forward

Since the last meeting of the MBTA Board of Directors, a series of “near misses,” in which employees narrowly avoided being struck by trains, brought down the feds’ disapproval once again; the governor herself had to reassure the head of the Federal Transit Administration that her administration is taking train safety incidents seriously; and a […]

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Cannabis Control Commission dinged again while O’Brien mystery remains unsolved

In another blow for the Cannabis Control Commission that is already in turmoil, a new state audit reveals that the commission may have allowed for the sale of expired marijuana and did not ensure that cannabis sellers properly reported products that tested positive for pesticides.  While the CCC’s management does not inspire confidence, perhaps it’s only fair […]

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Energy project permitting reform may not sound sexy, but clean energy goals likely won’t be met without it

An unusual mix of influential Bay Staters representing everything from electric utilities and agricultural interests to environmental justice advocates and labor organizations will all be sworn in today with the same goal — overhauling the process through which clean energy infrastructure projects are permitted, which advocates and industry professionals alike say are in need of […]