policy

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.
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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...
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.

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...

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...

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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.