policy

The gap between the rich and the poor is a theme that increasingly defines the city of Boston, with its booming innovation economy -- and its growing number of people struggling at the bottom of the economic ladder. Here's construction in the heart of South Boston’s Innovation District in March. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Boston's 2 Sides: How The City Can Have A Booming Innovation Economy And Widening Inequality

It's a theme that increasingly defines the city of Boston, with its innovation economy and its number of people struggling at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Massachusetts House Approves Bill To Boost Hydro, Wind Power

The bill approved Wednesday would require utilities to solicit long-term contracts for importing an additional 1,200 megawatts each of Canadian hydroelectricity and offshore wind.

Mass. Needs More College Graduates, Report Says

The state Department of Higher Education projects a shortfall of about 50,000 bachelor's degrees by 2025.

As Mass. Prepares For First Experiment With Early Voting, Election Officials Sort Out The Rules

Election overseers must figure out and develop a new set of practices to grapple with a new range of issues: Where and when should early voting be made available? How...

Boston Will Host U.S.-China Climate Summit In 2017

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is among the leaders attending this year's U.S.-China Leaders Summit in Beijing.

Gov. Baker Signs Law Overhauling State's Public Records System

The measure requires most public record requests to be completed in 10 days.

Mass. State Police Can Detain Individuals Sought By Immigration Officials

State police say the revised regulations are designed to align with the Obama administration's Priority Enforcement Program, which replaced the controversial Secure Communities program.

MBTA Hoping To Reduce Staff With Voluntary Retirement Offers

The move aims to save the public transit agency about $25 million.

House Approves Transgender Bill 116-36 After Emotional Debate

The House voted in favor of the bill that would bar discrimination against transgender individuals in public accommodations and allow people to use public facilities that match their gender identity...

Local Coverage

Jun 1, 2016

Mass. House Takes Up Transgender Bill A Day After Gov. Baker Says He Would Sign It

Backers of a bill before the Mass. House that would prevent discrimination against transgender people accessing public accommodations feel optimistic following a statement of support from Gov. Charlie Baker.

Local Coverage

02:32Jun 1, 2016

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to members of the media earlier this month in Boston. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Gov. Baker Says He Would Sign House Version Of Transgender Bill

Baker said he supports the House bill because it contains language which calls on the attorney general to issue guidance for taking legal action against anyone who asserts gender identity...

Local Coverage

May 31, 2016

An Orange Line train pulls out of Sullivan Square Station. (Joe Difazio for WBUR)

Senators Seek To Clarify Limits On MBTA Fare Hikes

The Senate adopted a budget amendment that would cap future MBTA fare increases at 5 percent every two years, marking what some senators described as the second time three years...

Local Coverage

May 27, 2016

Massachusetts State House. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Senate Passes $39.5 Billion Budget

The bill that cleared the Senate unanimously Thursday includes myriad policy positions, banning plastic bags from major retailers, empowering dental practitioners and easing veterans' access to medical marijuana.

Local Coverage

May 27, 2016

Gov. Baker Files Legislation Aimed At Capping State Employees' Sick Time Accrual

“Sick leave is a benefit designed to offer employees a way to deal with health and family issues, not a retirement bonus,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement.

Local Coverage

May 25, 2016

Committee OKs Bill Overhauling State Public Records Law

The bill would require public records requests to be completed in 10 days. It also would limit how much an agency or municipality could charge to provide the records.

Local Coverage

May 23, 2016

This is the first time the millionaires' tax proposal is coming before the Legislature's Constitutional Convention. The joint session is being held in the House Chamber of the State House. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Mass. Legislators Give First Round Approval To Millionaires' Tax

Residents seem to widely support a millionaires' tax. But the state's constitution would need to be amended first, and that process is complex.

Local Coverage

03:31May 18, 2016

Mass. Senate Leaders Roll Out $39.5 Billion State Budget Plan

Some of the biggest spending increases in the Senate budget are focused on education.

Local Coverage

May 17, 2016

Mass. Senate OKs Transgender Public Accommodations Bill

The bill would allow people to use public bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity.

Local Coverage

May 12, 2016

Mass. Announces $100M Fund Aiming To Create More Workforce Housing

The money is targeted at households earning 61 percent to 120 percent of area median income.

Local Coverage

May 11, 2016

An MBTA Green Line trolley on the overpass of Route 28 pulls into Lechmere Station in Cambridge. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Scaled-Down Plan For The Green Line Extension Will Move Forward

The proposed redesign would include simplified stations and bridges and cost $2.3 billion.

Local Coverage

May 9, 2016

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Boston's 2 Sides: How The City Can Have A Booming Innovation Economy And Widening Inequality

Massachusetts House Approves Bill To Boost Hydro, Wind Power

Mass. Needs More College Graduates, Report Says

As Mass. Prepares For First Experiment With Early Voting, Election Officials Sort Out The Rules

Boston Will Host U.S.-China Climate Summit In 2017

Gov. Baker Signs Law Overhauling State's Public Records System

Mass. State Police Can Detain Individuals Sought By Immigration Officials

MBTA Hoping To Reduce Staff With Voluntary Retirement Offers

House Approves Transgender Bill 116-36 After Emotional Debate

Mass. House Takes Up Transgender Bill A Day After Gov. Baker Says He Would Sign It

Gov. Baker Says He Would Sign House Version Of Transgender Bill

Senators Seek To Clarify Limits On MBTA Fare Hikes

Senate Passes $39.5 Billion Budget

Gov. Baker Files Legislation Aimed At Capping State Employees' Sick Time Accrual

Committee OKs Bill Overhauling State Public Records Law

Mass. Legislators Give First Round Approval To Millionaires' Tax

Mass. Senate Leaders Roll Out $39.5 Billion State Budget Plan

Mass. Senate OKs Transgender Public Accommodations Bill

Mass. Announces $100M Fund Aiming To Create More Workforce Housing

Scaled-Down Plan For The Green Line Extension Will Move Forward