BOSTON—In her second State of the Commonwealth address, which solemnly nodded at the coming national change, Governor Maura Healey celebrated legislative accomplishments and restated 2025 goals. Among these were her $8 billion transportation plan. It was a laundry list and a pep rally that, as
The political season in Holyoke formally launched Thursday with Mayor Joshua Garcia’s announcement that he will seek a second full four-year term. Garcia made history in 2021 when he became the city’s first leader of Puerto Rican heritage of the city. Holyoke has one of the largest such communities in the continental United States.
BOSTON—The first sign may have been the duller than usual roar in the hours before legislators took the oath of office—COVID-era ceremonies aside. The galleries in the Senate chamber were busy, but not packed. The schmoozing wrapped up early. Little more than an hour after
UPDATED 1/8/25 8:14PM: To include confirmation of Boyle’s status on another committee and to note Democratic assignments for subcommittees. As the 119th Congress and its House of Representatives settles in, the latter’s committees are beginning to take shape. Neither party changed leaders on the Committee.
If 2023 in Springfield was defined by its election, there is ample irony that transitions would define 2024. They just would not be transitions in municipal elective office. The pieces had been moving below deck for some time.
After two years in office, Governor Maura Healey has made a mark on the judiciary. Governors can effectively choose whomever they wish to sit on the bench, subject to Governor’s Council confirmation. To that end, advocates have been pressing Healey to pick someone from Hampden County to join the Appeals Court.
SPRINGFIELD—The City Council wrapped up 2024 with a brief two-item agenda and its usual caucus to select the body’s officers for next year. With so little to consider there were few surprises. Free street parking for veterans achieved final passage. Council President Michael Fenton will have another year leading the body, though there will be a new Vice President.
After House Republicans tanked a year-end deal at the orders of Donald Trump and his ostensible boss, Elon Musk, Democrats took the floor to blast GOP subservience. Among those excoriating the other side was Congressman Richard Neal, who emphasized that a bipartisan agreement fell apart because of social media posts.
Elon Musk didn’t like that.
PALMER—Nearly a year ago, it was wine and roses as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) formally began studying restoration of train service here. Hopes have been growing ever since East-West rail transitioned from Western Mass political shibboleth to inevitability. However, a new obstacle has
Tragedy and the march of time itself undermined two ordinances before the City Council on Monday. Before the body was a proposal to automate electeds’ raises and another to double the time new hires have to move into the city. A majority of councilors present