Friday, April 1, 2016
By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan
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Today: Pentagon backs new MIT fabrics center, State Police graduation ceremony
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U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Gov. Charlie Baker and other officials are expected to announce creation of the new Advanced Functional Fibers of America center at MIT, Samberg Conference Center, MIT's Sloan School of Management, 50 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, 11 a.m.
Attorney General Maura Healey is the keynote speaker at the Leveling the Playing Field conference, which seeks to bring together sports, mental health and social justice, Microsoft NERD Center, 1 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, 9 a.m.
The governor, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and the attorney general attend the graduation ceremony for recruits at the Massachusetts State Police, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester, 2 p.m.
Senate charter school compromise: DOA
The Globe's David Scharfenberg admirably cuts to the chase: "Voters should get ready for a high-profile ballot fight over charter schools this fall, after a compromise bill meant to avert that fight emerged Thursday to lukewarm reviews from Governor Charlie Baker and other key players." And the other key players include both backers and opponents of expanding charter schools in the state. Not exactly a good sign of widespread support for a compromise bill. Meanwhile, the Globe's editorial board bluntly advises: "Unless dramatically different legislation emerges, charter advocates should go ahead with their referendum plan so that voters can get a chance to meet the clear demand for additional seats at charter schools."
The Herald's take on the Senate compromise bill: "Looks like it's on to November." In a piece over at CommonWealth magazine, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and Sens. Sonia Chang-Diaz, Karen Spilka and Daniel Wolf implore people to at least consider the compromise plan and to rise above the divisiveness surrounding the charter school issue. It's a nice sentiment but will it change many minds? Nope. Not on this hot-button issue.
'Maybe we should ban taxpayer-funded travel to Beacon Hill'
Kevin Franck is not impressed at all with the city of Boston's new ordinance that bans taxpayer-funded travel to North Carolina because of that state's passage of a bill barring transgender people from using public bathrooms that don't match their biological sex. Among other things, Franck notes the Massachusetts Legislature's own failed or stalled efforts to eliminate discrimination against transgender people. "Instead of looking down our noses at states like North Carolina for passing anti-LGBT laws, Massachusetts Democrats would be better served to look at those peddling bigoted ideas in our own backyards, and those among us who refuse to stand up to them." http://bit.ly/1oq74WH
State college cash-outs have cost taxpayers $20 million
After exposing how the outgoing president of Bridgewater State University collected $270,000 in unused sick and vacation time, the Boston Business Journal's Craig Douglas now reports that about 286 former higher-ed employees each collected at least $50,000 in similar deals, totaling about $20 million over the past decade. They all apparently don't like taking vacations or get as sick as often as workers in other professions. Maybe someone should study this curious sociological phenomenon. http://bit.ly/22UEShH
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T winter lawsuit dismissed
There will be no court-ordered refunds to commuters for the MBTA's disastrous winter of 2015, Adam Vaccaro of Boston.com reports. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Mitchell Kaplan dismissed the suit filed last spring against the T and Keolis Commuter Services, ruling that the T is not legally required to adhere to its publicly posted schedule and that it is not the court's role to determine if the agency did all it could keep the trains running on time. http://bit.ly/1SEEFGW
Last I-93 protester has charges dropped
The last of 18 activists charged for blocking traffic on I-93 in January of 2015 is now in the clear, Adam Reilly of WGBH reports. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said Thursday she would drop a conspiracy charge against Brandeis University student Jessie Lowell, who had previously been acquitted by a jury on trespassing charges. http://bit.ly/1q8PIzj
Fundraising complaint in Billerica comes days before election
Officials in Billerica and the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission have received an anonymous complaint about a fundraising event for a selectman candidate, a complaint that is becoming public just days before the town's election, Rick Sobey of the Lowell Sun reports. The resident is questioning whether an event held on behalf of candidate Kim Conway at the Middlesex Canal Museum should have received a one-day alcohol license. The event was held on Oct. 30, 2015. "I now know why people don't run for office," Conway tells the Sun. "This just discourages people to run." http://bit.ly/1pQcATt
Auditor's office tells Barnstable County to lawyer up
After spending eight hours studying the books at the headquarters of Barnstable County, the state auditor's office is urging the county to lawyer up, Geoff Spillane of the Cape Cod Times reports. An audit was requested by new county administrator John Yunits Jr., who said it appears several agencies are getting a free ride from the cash-strapped county. "We need to be better business people here at the county," said Yunits.http://bit.ly/1ZQ55bM
It's going to be a long good-bye to David Ortiz, perhaps too long
If the following headline is any indication, it's going to be a long summer for those who don't appreciate schmaltz: 'David Ortiz hits home run in final at-bat of Grapefruit League finale.' ... Think of all the potential: 'David Ortiz hits home run in final April at-bat.' ... 'David Ortiz strikes out in final Yankee Stadium at-bat before All-Star break.' ... 'David Oritz walks for last time in double-header game in August in Cleveland.'http://bit.ly/1VXMB9n
Sunday public affairs TV
Keller at Large, WBZ-TV Channel 4. Guest is US Rep. Michael Capuano to discuss presidential race, Green Line extension and Everett casino dispute, 8:30 a.m.
This Week in Business, NECN. Guests: MaryRose Mazzola, Boston Women's Workforce Council executive director, Bob Rivers, president and COO of Eastern Bank, Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD and CEO of the Dimock Center, 12:30 p.m.
CEO Corner, NECN. John Kelley, CoachUp CEO, talks about the Boston-based company that's connecting athletes with private coaches, 8:30 p.m.
On The Record, WCVB Channel 5. Guest: Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, 11 a.m.
Matter of Fact with Fernando Espuelas, WCVB Channel 5, a new weekly program hosted by political commentator Fernando Espuelas. Guests include Amanda Renteria, national political director, Hillary for America Presidential Campaign. 11:30 a.m. (repeats at midnight).
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