State kicks-off criminal justice review

CommonWealth Magazine reports on the initial meeting of the Working Group formed by state leaders to partner with the Council of State Government’s Justice Center to conduct an independent policy review of the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system and provide reform recommendations. The article focuses on the data-driven approach being taken as the “Council’s Justice Center laid out the scope of the review and some baseline data on the state’s criminal justice system.” Senator Brownsberger is legislative co-chair of the Working Group.

CSG Working Group reviewing MA criminal justice reform meets

The 25-person Working Group of the CSG Justice Center-Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review met for the first time on January 12, 2016 at the State House. The Working Group was formed by state leaders in October 2015 to partner with the Council of State Government’s (CSG) Justice Center to review and provide proposals on criminal justice reform and justice reinvestment in Massachusetts. Senator Brownsberger serves on the Steering Committee as a legislative co-chair.

Draft Commuter Rail Schedules and Opportunities for Public Input

The MBTA has rolled out a public engagement process to solicit feedback on proposed changes to the commuter rail schedules. The public comment period will run from January 7th through February 12th. This post contains links to proposed changes to the Fitchburg line and to other lines. The finalized schedules will be announced in April and will go into effect on Monday, May 23rd.