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Category Archives: Massachusetts House of Representatives

The Tosado Experience…Coming to a Beacon Hill Near You?…

UPDATED 8/5/14 2:14PM: For additional quotes from Cruz & Markey. SPRINGFIELD—On some level, running for State Representative is much different from the other races Jose Tosado has tried to win. Tosado always ran in the whole city whether for school committee, city council or mayor.

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Analysis: Let Me Give You a Tip…Finally…

Come January, tipped employees in Massachusetts will receive their first raise in over 15 years. The increase will be meager $1.12. The full minimum wage will rise to $11 from $8. Still, this time, the most vulnerable workers affected by minimum wage laws are not

For the House This Time, Edwards Again Looks East…

SPRINGFIELD—Only two major similarities exist between Melvin Edwards’s run for Senate in 2012 and his bid for the House this year. In both races, the primary will effectively decide the election and in both races Edwards is a candidate. Then things diverge considerably. While primary

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As Senate Sizzles, House Races Emerge from Hibernation…

UPDATED 6/22/14 7:22 PM: For clarity & grammar. SPRINGFIELD—By January of this year, it was clear that the area delegation to Boston was in store was some major revisions. Amid retirements, resignations, and a few part-term incumbencies, several high-profile races are due for the districts

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Rep. John Velis, Solemnly Sworn…

BOSTON—Four new state representatives were sworn into the Massachusetts House of Representative in what will likely be the penultimate ceremony of its kind before legislature’s formal session ends in July. Among those sworn was John Velis, a Westfield Democrat, whose historic win earlier this month

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Analysis: How the Westfield Was Won…

UPDATED 4/5/14 1:28: For clarification of third parties impression of the race. WESTFIELD—In a blistering loss for the Massachusetts Republican party, Democrat John Velis defeated the GOP’s Dan Allie in a special election to fill the 4th Hampden seat vacated by Don Humason last year.

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Endorsements on Parade: Whipping up Support for Velis…

This Tuesday, April 1st, Westfield faces a choice that is no laughing matter.  It will choose its next representative in the Massachusetts General Court, filling the seat Don Humason vacated to become State Senator.  While Humason still represents Westfield in the Senate, his constitency now

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Debates’ Course Heading: North by North Westfield…

WESTFIELD—With time running short, the candidates to replace Don Humason in the Westfield-only 4th Hampden House special election have done battle before seniors and the venerable Jim Madigan.  Republican Dan Allie and Democrat John Velis traded political jabs, but found a great deal of agreement