State Senate Approves Bill to Make Voting Reforms Permanent
The Senate on Wednesday supported the permanent adoption of COVID-era voting allowances like expanded early voting and voting-by-mail, among other policies.
Beacon Hill
Broad Support for Shift to Indigenous People's Day
Indigenous people and other activists calling for the state to rename Columbus Day got support in their push Tuesday from some Italian-Americans who said they, too, think Massachusetts should make the change.
Education Commissioner Gets Power to Order K-12 Mask Mandate
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has given Commissioner Jeff Riley the authority to mandate masks in K-12 schools for the start of the third academic year influenced by the pandemic.
Vaccine Appointment Site Knocked as "Maze of Links"
Sen. Anne Gobi of Spencer called the rollout a "total nightmare."
Baker Shakes Up Vaccine Distribution Plans
Starting Feb. 1, residents 75-plus become eligible. Those 65 and older will be bumped up, joining people with two or more high-risk medical conditions.
Pollack Leaving Baker Administration for Biden Administration
The MassDOT CEO has been in charge of Massachusetts transportation initiatives for six years.
Baker Admin Relents; Promises COVID-19 Vaccine Site in SE Mass.
An initial map released by MassDPH showed no coronavirus vaccination sites for the Southeastern region of Massachusetts. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Senator Mark Montigny pushed back.
Baker Carves Up $16.5B Transportation Bill With Vetoes
Governor Charlie Baker, Beacon Hill, transportation, uber, lyft, MBTA, MassDOT, TCI, climate change, Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, emissions
New Bedford Mayor: State Ignores SE Mass in COVID Vaccine Plan
The closest vaccination site for New Bedford, Fall River, and Cape Cod is at Gillette Stadium.
Two Lawmakers Opt Against Accepting Pay Raise
With so many people unemployed, the time is not right to accept a legislative pay raise, said Rep. Chris Hendricks.