WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Boston Weather BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a Story Idea RSS Feeds Podcasts Campaign Issues: Energy & Environment By Fred Thys Listen to story (Real Audio) AP BOSTON, Mass. - October 11, 2006 - With less than four weeks to go before the general election, the candidates for governor are stepping up their stumping. On the campaign trail this morning, three of the four rivals are speaking at a business forum in Boston: Republican Kerry Healey, Democrat Deval Patrick, Independent Christy Mihos. Green-Rainbow candidate Grace Ross was not invited to take part because the organizers at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce said she did not meet their criteria for the event. In our series on the issues in this governor's race, today we look at energy and the environment. WBUR's Fred Thys reports. RELATED LINKS More Election 2006 Coverage    From The WBUR Newsroom Expert: Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Could Rise To 8.1 Percent By 2010 BOSTON (November 20, 2008) A UMass Boston public-policy professor says Massachusetts could see its jobless rate rise to 8.1 percent in the next two years. Mass. Umemployment Rate Rises To 5.5 Percent BOSTON (November 20, 2008) The Massachusetts unemployment rate climbed to 5.5 percent last month, up from 5.3 percent in September. DiMasi Wants Fresh Consideration For Gas Tax Hike BOSTON (November 19, 2008) House Speaker Sal DiMasi on Wednesday made the clearest statement yet by a top Beacon Hill official that raising the state's 23.5-cents-per-gallon gas tax could be a good idea, releasing a statement suggesting the levy as an alternative to doubling tolls. Romney Adamantly Opposes Auto Industry Bailout WASHINGTON (November 20, 2008) Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is standing steadfastly behind the forces opposing a $25 billion "bridge loan" for struggling Detroit auto manufacturers.