It was a very productive legislative session. We did get a lot done, but weren’t able to reach some important issues.
Author Archives: Will Brownsberger
The final compromise on firearms licensing rules
After two years of negotiations, the bill on the Governor’s desk has become a bill about improving gun safety–as opposed to a bill about taking away guns or making it harder to legally own guns.
Bridgewater State Hospital
It’s tragically difficult to treat patients who are at once (a) truly dangerous and (b) badly in need of mental health care. Hearings on the Governor’s proposed legislation have raised real dilemmas: good legislation on the subject will take some time.
Disclosure of Independent Campaign Spending
The Senate passed legislation requiring timely disclosure of “independent” spending in political campaigns. This is the most significant practical response that Massachusetts can make to the Citizens United case and I had long supported it.
Access to the Ride — a complaint
Dr. Klemens Meyer writes about difficulties one of his patients has experienced with the MBTA’s The Ride program.
Farm Animal Cruelty
Mary Mahony asks about Will’s position on legislation banning gestation crates and veal crates, and he replies about the importance–symbolic for the present and possibly significant for the future–of passing it.