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Boston's Morning Newsletter
What made it into Beacon Hill's big economic development bill — and what didn't
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It’s officially ski season in New England — and maybe even time to turn on the heat. (As always, we turn to McSweeney’s trusty decision guide.)
Let's get to the news:
Lame duck lawmaking: It may be mid-November, but Beacon Hill is back in action today to catch up on some work they left unfinished this past summer. The big ticket item on the agenda is a multi-billion dollar economic development bill, aka jobs bill or “eco dev” bill. After negotiations collapsed as the clock ran out in July, Democratic leaders announced a compromise this week that would invest roughly $1 billion in the state’s life sciences, offshore wind, climate tech and AI industries — but that’s not all. Lawmakers are also using the massive bill to tackle a number of unrelated policies they’ve been mulling in recent months (and years).
What the bill does:
- Re-zones a portion of Everett’s waterfront on the Mystic River, allowing for a soccer stadium to be built for the New England Revolution — as long as it’s privately funded and the owners reach mitigation agreements with Everett and Boston.
- Renames the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the Seaport after the late mayor Tom Menino.
- Invests up to $7 million a year in a new tax credit to support local live theater productions. (WBUR’s Amelia Mason reports the tax credit is something local theaters have long been lobbying for.)
- Requires online ticket-sellers to display the “actual” price of tickets, including fees, upfront in their listings. (President Biden has repeatedly proposed a similar junk fee ban.) It also prohibits the use of bots to buy up tickets to sell on the secondary market.
- Lets political candidates use campaign funds on child care expenses — which at least 31 other states already allow.
- Creates a one-year license for doctors who are licensed outside of the U.S. to work in parts of the state with physician shortages (plus, it creates a pathway for them to get a permanent license).
- Allows craft beer to be sold at farmer markets — something that was apparently illegal — along with other market staples like wine, cider and mead.
What didn’t make it:
- A Senate proposal to raise the age people can be tried in juvenile court to 18.
- A Senate proposal to repeal the statewide happy hour ban and let cities and towns decide for themselves if they want to allow drink discounts.
What’s next: The House and Senate are expected to gavel into an unusual post-election formal session today to vote on the bill and get it to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk by the end of the day.
Meanwhile on Beacon Hill: House leaders are also teeing up the recent clean energy deal for a vote today, after Republicans blocked it during informal sessions last month. (It already passed the Senate.)
- Go deeper: WBUR’s Miriam Wasser explains without jargon what the sweeping climate bill would do and why it’s needed.
Strike stakes heat up: Teachers unions in Beverly and Gloucester are now facing $50,000 court-ordered fines as they continue their strikes. A state judge made the ruling today, citing that teacher strikes are illegal in Massachusetts. WHDH reports the fines could add up to $180,000 if the strikes continue through Friday.
- Fines for Marblehead teachers — who started their strike a day later than Beverly and Gloucester — are expected to begin if they don’t return to work by the end of today. Meanwhile, some parents in Marblehead are suing the district over its decision to suspend extracurriculars during the strike — imperiling a number of activities, including the football team’s playoff game Friday.
- Go deeper: The Boston Globe has a great breakdown here of the key sticking points in contract negotiations in all three districts.
Cover your mouth: Health officials are monitoring an increase in whooping cough and walking pneumonia in the Bay State, particularly among adolescents. Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein urged doctors and families on Wednesday to be on the look-out for potential symptoms, such as persistent coughing.
- Goldstein also said COVID-19, the flu and RSV remain at low levels, but warned cases will rise this winter.
P.S.— Early bird tickets to the WBUR Festival — coming in 2025 to celebrate our 75th birthday — are on sale to Members now! They receive 20% off tickets through Dec. 31. Not a member? Support WBUR’s public journalism with a gift today to get The WBUR Festival discount.
