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.”
Child Support Reform
Senator Brownsberger, I am writing to encourage your support of legislation that assumes 50/50 child custody and support, regardless of parental gender, in all cases unless abuse or neglect can be proven. This is not a woman’s issue or a man’s issue, this is a parental issue that needs to be addressed immediately to ensure our courts are working in a family’s best interest
Senate Passes Extension of Net Metering
Yesterday the Senate passed a climate adaptation planning bill, including an amendment to extend solar net metering for investor owned utilities. The Senate was eager to move this issue forward in part because some areas of the state have reached their current cap and solar installations are at risk of losing the federal subsidy which possibly expires at the end of next year. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where its prospects are unclear.
Cost of Eversource…
IT WAS APPARENT TO ME FROM THE VERY START: WHEN EVERSOURCE WAS PERMITTED TO TAKE OVER OUR UTILITY, I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN MY ELECTRIC BILL. BUT WHEN MY RECENT BILL ARRIVED IT EXCEEDED ALL OF MY PREDICTIONS. THE UTILITY INDUSTRY IS GOBBLING UP ALL PRODUCTION, AND BORROWING LOTS OF MONEY TO DO SO.
AG’s Office offers information sessions on Earned Sick Time
The Attorney General’s website has a page on Earned Sick Time that is a resource for employers and employees to learn about the new law that went into effect on July 1, 2015. The AG is also offering five web-based and three in-person public information sessions about the Earned Sick Time Law. These two-hour sessions, conducted by a staff member, will review the law’s regulations and allow time for questions from attendees. Those interested are asked to RSVP to a session, which are being held during July, August, and September.