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 Impact of Power Shift on MA Delegation By Martha Bebinger Listen to story (Real Audio) BOSTON, Mass. - November 08, 2006 - Democrats have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since 1994. Meanwhile, control of the Senate is hanging in the balance. In the House, at least, the victory margin means Democrats can now lead House committees that will set the legislative agenda for the next two years. WBUR's Martha Bebinger examines how that could affect Massachusetts and its all-Democratic congressional delegation. 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.