Monday, March 7, 2016
By George Donnelly, Jay Fitzgerald and Sara Brown
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Today: T fare hike vote, charter schools and legalization of marijuana
Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins local and national elected women officials, including Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, at a "Women in Leadership: Pathways and Possibilities" event, Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Columbia Point, 9 a.m.
The Transportation Committee holds an oversight hearing at which lawmakers will meet with members of the MBTA Control Board, Room A-2, 10 a.m.
The Joint Committee on Education will take up initiative petitions that would expand charter school access and abolish the Common Core curriculum, Gardner Auditorium, 10 a.m.
The MBTA Control Board meets to vote on proposed T fare hikes, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, second floor, 1 p.m.
Gov. Charlie Baker joins with Mayor Marty Walsh, Forbes Media COO Mike Federle, Forbes editor Randall Lane and David Fialkow, managing director at General Catalyst Partners, for an announcement about young professionals, Faneuil Hall, Great Hall, 1 p.m.
The Judiciary Committee holds hearing on the initiative petition that would legalize adult use of marijuana 1 p.m., Room A-1
Rebuke from Feds on late-night service cancellation
Not so fast, MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board. After the T went through the motions of soliciting feedback on its late-night weekend service, it pulled the trigger last week. But the Federal Transit Administration quickly pointed out that the T failed to adequately explore the impact of its decision, specifically whether cutting the service would disproportionately affect low-income riders. The T argued the cutback wasn't a major change in service, and thus didn't require a "service equity analysis," but the feds disagree, reports the Globe's Nicole Dungca. Thus, the analysis will be done, says the T, which had planned to eliminate the late-night service effective March 18.
Just how much will the T increase fares? And will the T board rein in increases for seniors and students? We'll find out more today when the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board meets. Here's a preview by the prolific Ms. Dungca:http://bit.ly/1RvRfVU
Baker, Healey, Walsh take aim at 'big business' backers of legalizing marijuana
In an unusual move, Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey and Mayor Marty Walsh co-write a Globe op-ed this morning opposing the November ballot question calling for legalization of marijuana for adults. The trio cite familiar arguments against legalization: how it will harm the young and create medical and public safety woes for all. But they also take aim at another target: "The financial backers of legalization are not neighborhood leaders, medical professionals, or grass-roots activists. They're big businesses and investors, who are spending millions on campaigns across the country because they will profit from the legalization of marijuana." http://bit.ly/1LLDcio
Pundits give Clinton the edge in last night's Dem debate
The New York Times rounds up the reactions to last night's Democratic debate in Michigan. The verdict: Hillary Clinton won, both in style and substance. Of particular interest was Clinton's pounding into Bernie Sanders for his past vote against bailing out the auto industry, as the Globe rightly emphasizes. Remember: The debate was held in Michigan.
'The Rubio meltdown'
After this past weekend's presidential primaries, it's now increasingly looking like a Trump vs. Cruz showdown in the Republican presidential primary race. Marco Rubio? Despite his weekend win in Puerto Rico, he's fading fast and will probably fade away entirely unless his campaign get its act together, according to the Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe, Robert Costa and Paul Kane.http://wapo.st/1W2QUxO
Could Trump actually carry Massachusetts in November?
Assuming Donald Trump wins the GOP nomination, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo isn't ruling out a possible Trump victory in Massachusetts in November, noting Trump's strong showing here in the recent Republican primary, writes the Herald's Chris Villani. "When you try to look at what's going on here - in Massachusetts, (Trump received) 49 percent, in my district he won overwhelmingly - what does that say?" DeLeo asked. U.S. Rep Michael Capuano begs to differ.
Construction unions: We'll slash wages to boost affordable housing
Building housing in Boston - and across the entire Boston area, for that matter - is never cheap. The cost of land, materials, labor and permitting are expensive here. But now Boston's construction unions are offering to substantially slash their pay to make building here less costly. There's a catch: The pay cut would be in exchange for the jobs being 100 percent union, the Globe's Tim Logan writes. http://bit.ly/1TlGg7s
Growing 'income segregation' in Massachusetts and beyond
There's always been "income segregation" in America, with the rich living on one side of the tracks and the not-so-rich living on the other side. But the Globe's David Scharfenberg crunched the numbers and consulted the experts and shows income segregation is only growing worse in Massachusetts and across the country. "Blue- and white-collar families who once lived close enough to bump into each other in the aisles of the local hardware store or chat in the pews of the neighborhood church live in much more homogenous places now." http://bit.ly/1M1MmCn
Plainridge slow to roll out problem gambling planEight months after opening its doors, the state's first casino is still working to implement a system meant to prevent problem gamblers from spending too much, according to a report from Sean P. Murphy of the Globe. The technology, which would enable bettors to pre-set limits on how much they drop at the casino - and which was heralded as an innovative breakthrough by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission - has yet to go live at Plainridge Park Casino. http://bit.ly/24Lyis8
In Townsend, police turmoil means trouble for Selectmen Alana Melanson of the Lowell Sun takes a look at the police department turmoil that has led to an effort to recall two members of the Board of Selectmen in the small town of Townsend. Financial strains inside the department have come to light in recent months, since the retirement of the town's longtime chief. http://bit.ly/1W2Hr9S
Nancy Reagan, RIPNancy Reagan passed away Sunday at the age of 94. Presidential candidates took the time to remember her. "Nancy Reagan, the wife of a truly great President, was an amazing woman. She will be missed!" tweeted Donald Trump, according to the Boston Herald. Former President Bill Clinton and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement: "Nancy was an extraordinary woman: a gracious first lady, proud mother and devoted wife to President Reagan - her Ronnie. Her strength of character was legendary, particularly when tested by the attempted assassination of the president, and throughout his battle with Alzheimer's. She leaves a remarkable legacy of good." http://bit.ly/1LLujW3
MASSterList's Donnelly bids adieu
What do they say about all good things? It's been a privilege waking up early each weekday morning to share the political news with such a receptive and responsive audience, which has always kept me on my toes. This week I am passing the baton to my old friend and veteran journalist Jay Fitzgerald. Jay is the former editor of the Boston Business Journal, former business reporter at the Boston Herald and most recently a correspondent for the Boston Globe, the BBJ and other publications. MASSterList is in very good hands, and you can say hi to Jay at jay@massterlist.com.
I am excited to be joining Northwind Strategies, where I will put to use my fascination with public policy, business and communications with a great team. Thank you for supporting MASSterList, which continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
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