The Boston Globe reports that, “the top officials in Massachusetts government are asking for an independent review of the state’s criminal justice system.” The nonprofit group the Council of State Governments will conduct the analysis with the funding of the US Department of Justice and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Senator Brownsberger, who has been studying Massachusetts criminal justice statistics?, told the Globe that the request is a solid effort to get more data in an area where the state needs to make progress, “which is how do we get people safely back out onto the street in a way they can succeed and not return to being incarcerated.”
New Belmont Underwood Pool Ceremonial Opening August 8
The public is invited to the ceremonial grand opening of Belmont’s new Underwood Pool on Saturday, August 8 at 1:30 for the ribbon cutting, followed by an open house from 2:00-4:00. The rain date is on Sunday, August 9 at the same time. Note that the pool opens for swimming on Monday, August 10.
Senator Will Brownsberger on Sales Tax Holiday (7-30-15)
On WRKO’s Morning Show with Kim Carrigan, Senator Brownsberger discussed the upcoming sales tax holiday weekend and why he is not in favor of it.
Trapelo Road Construction Update
Recently, Senator Brownsberger hosted a meeting with officials from MassDOT to get an update on the Trapelo Road reconstruction project. The project, scheduled to be completed in September, will take longer than anticipated, but the most challenging work is already complete and MassDOT does not expect any further major delays. Here is Massport’s project update with additional detail and explanation.
Boston Strong on the Olympics — No Boston Olympics
While I’m a little saddened for dashed hopes, I’m mostly relieved by the decision to cancel Boston’s Olympics bid. For me, as for many others, the risks associated with the Olympics appeared too great for the Commonwealth to backstop. We should be proud for the robust debate we’ve had and I thank all who have participated in it — it looks to me like we just dodged a bullet.
As vote looms, concern raised over tax holiday
The Boston Globe reports on the upcoming vote on the sales tax holiday that, “a growing chorus of legislators and budget watchdogs from across the political spectrum is voicing sharp skepticism about the summer sales tax holiday, a decadelong Massachusetts tradition popular with consumers.” Senator Brownsberger plans to vote against the holiday and is quoted as saying on his website, “[h]olidays are festive and I am not by nature a grinch.”