Our state-wide zoning framework has not been overhauled since the early 1970s. People on all sides naturally view any changes in the rules with great suspicion. I do intend to support the comprehensive zoning reform package coming before the Senate — we need more housing. But I welcome all questions and comments — the details of the bill are still in flux.
Economy
casinos, consumer issues, convention center, development strategy, housing, industry regulation, inequality, intellectual property, net neutrality, non-competition agreements, olympics, poverty and assistance, turnpike air rights development, work
Latest Non-Competition Agreement News
I heard on the radio that there was some movement on limiting non-competes in Massachusetts – is that still likely to happen? The description sounded like very weak sauce – restricting to “only” a year, for example. In my opinion if we want to compete with silicon valley for innovation, we should be at least …
Senate Passes Pay Equity Legislation
We share this press release from the Senate Ways and Means Committee on the Senate’s passage of bill S.2107 to “strengthen the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act to further close the wage gap between male and female workers in the Commonwealth.” The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Working Families Get a Raise from Senate-Led Initiatives
We provide this press release from the Senate President’s office highlighting the increases in the minimum wage and the earned income tax credit to take effect on January 1, 2016. Several articles on the minimum wage and the EITC are also provided.
Forces arbitration in user agreements
Hi Will, I was just reading an article in today’s NT Times regarding the increasing use of arbitration clauses by major corporations like American Express, Discover, Netfilx, EBay, etc in their user agreements. To quote the article: “By inserting individual arbitration clauses into a soaring number of consumer and employment contracts, companies like American Express …
More regulation for extended bar service bill to come, Sen. Brownsberger Says
Universal Hub? reported that “State legislators are once again considering a Boston proposal to let bars in some neighborhoods – such as the Seaport – stay open past 2 a.m.” Senator Brownsberger filed bill S127? An Act modernizing the business licensing process, at the request of Mayor Walsh. “Brownsberger said the current proposal is a first draft and that he wants to see language added that would specifically protect neighborhoods that don’t want longer hours at their neighborhood bars.”