Will writes: Last night the Senate gave preliminary approval to legislation authorizing the borrowing of $1 billion for expansion of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston. I came to feel comfortable with the bill and did vote for it, although I share a number of common concerns about this kind of legislation, including the following:
Author Archives: Will Brownsberger
Minimum Wage/UI Compromise
Will writes: Last night, the Senate approved a compromise bill raising the minimum wage and stabilizing unemployment insurance rates in Massachusetts. The bill was the product of lengthy negotiations between House and Senate conferees. Here are the minimum wage highlights:
Update on Plane Noise in Belmont and Watertown
Some Belmont and Watertown residents (mostly towards the eastern side) have been disturbed by new concentrated flight patterns from Logan — almost forgot to post this update, but a jet overhead reminded me. Working closely with me and with Representatives Hecht and Rogers, Congresswoman Clark has been very diligent and helpful in pursuing this issue. …
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The 2014 Green Line Forum
The MBTA gave a great presentation on the Green Line this evening (May 28) at the Boston Public Library. Dr. Beverly Scott, the General Manager, and her top management team reported considerable progress since the previous forum held in January 2013 and since the previous letter report in July 2013. As to short and medium term …
Reading the Juvenile Life without Parole Cases
Before the legislature is the question of how to respond to the case of Commonwealth v. Diatchenko. In that case, our Supreme Judicial Court found that it is unconstitutional to sentence a juvenile to life without parole for first degree murder. The basic question the legislature needs to answer is what should be the first …
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Senate passes FY15 Budget
We got through the budget week! The Senate budget unfolded without too much drama along the lines I outlined in my pre-budget piece. Thanks to all for comments on that piece. A few highlights and notes about the process: Commenters (and others by phone and email) urged support for the Mass Cultural Council budget. We …