MASSterlist: Charter compromise DOA | College cash-outs hit $20M | All-night T Service?

 
Friday, April 1, 2016

By Jay Fitzgerald and Keith Regan

Today: Pentagon backs new MIT fabrics center, State Police graduation ceremony

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 From shooting to shocking, State Police deploy more Tasers in the field It's a well-intentioned idea: To reduce use of guns in confrontations between police and criminal suspects, the Massachusetts State Police has begun arming more troopers with Tasers. As the Globe's Laura Crimaldi and Jan Ransom report: "As part of a larger effort to equip troopers to ratchet down potentially violent confrontations, the department has purchased 895 Tasers for nearly $1 million and started training officers to use them in the last two months ..." OK. But how extensive and effective is the current training of officers to better avoid violent confrontations in the first place? Do they have specific goals in mind in terms of reducing how often both guns and Tasers are pulled out? If not, as Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice, puts it: "It's difficult for me to applaud one weapon over another. Any use of force that could be avoided should be avoided." http://bit.ly/1SEMmNs Pentagon backs new advanced fabrics center at MIT Officials from both public and private institutions, including US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, are expected to announce today creation of the new $317 million Advanced Functional Fibers of America center at MIT, reports David L. Chandler of the MIT News Office. The center will focus on research into so-called "wearable electronic devices." http://bit.ly/1MZgr5P Restoring late-night T service and more with ... buses For the time being, forget about the late-night subway service that was recently killed off by the MBTA's oversight board. How about all-night, every night bus service? Expanding on a little-known early morning bus service already in existence, Ari Ofsevit, Jeremy Mendelson and James Aloisi write in CommonWealth magazine that their bus-service plan is both affordable and pragmatic: "This would allow the use of current MBTA bus stops and corridors, and be mostly an extension of current service, not an entirely new service. It would provide service to most of the area covered by MBTA rail and key bus routes, putting the bulk of the most densely populated parts of Boston and surrounding communities within a 20-minute walk of a bus stop."http://bit.ly/1SEMBrK Boston ordered to rewrite ride-hailing rules In other transportation news, a federal judge wants the city of Boston to revise its regulations covering taxis and ride-hailing services within six months, Jim O'Sullivan of the Globe reports. The judge found that the differences in how traditional taxis and services such as Uber and Lyft operate are not sufficiently different to warrant two sets of regulations. The judge did throw out some of the other claims leveled by taxi groups, allowing both sides in the battle to claim victory, O'Sulivan notes. http://bit.ly/2369DwE Barney Frank rips into Bernie Sanders for 'McCarthyite' tactics Former US Rep. Barney Frank was in vintage form when recently interviewed by Slate's Isaac Chotner. -- On the Senate record of Democratic presidential candidaate Bernie Sanders: "Bernie Sanders has been in Congress for 25 years with little to show for it in terms of his accomplishments and that's because of the role he stakes out." -- On Bernie's record on Wall Street reforms: "I think he gets a pass from the media. Other than Glass-Steagall, what did he propose in 2009 and 2010 when he was a senator when we were dealing with this? The answer is nothing. Why haven't you looked at his record?" -- On Bernie demanding that Hillary Clinton release her Wall Street speeches: "I think Sanders has been outrageously McCarthyite on that. ... I saw one commercial that said the big companies weren't punished. Why? Well, maybe it's because Hillary is getting speaking fees. So the secretary of state should have been indicting people? I mean, yes, McCarthyite in the sense that it's guilt by association."http://slate.me/1UYkxmF

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).

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

Metro headlines Court dismisses lawsuit against MBTA for last winter's problems The 'absurd' reason Boston can't lower speed limits on its own Evans details new BPD opiate response squad Boston IndyCar race clears first regulatory hurdle - The Boston Globe City Councilor backs Hwang in Senate race - The Boston Globe Leaders reveal new charter schools legislation - The Boston Globe Boston ordered to revise regulations on taxis, ride-hailing services - The Boston Globe Fed judge says Uber, Lyft should be treated like taxis - CommonWealth Magazine Time for Wynn to do the right thing | Dorchester Reporter

State headlines  100-room Worcester hotel to open Timing of alcohol complaint for candidate's fundraiser questioned in Billerica Local police say they only scrutinize immigration status for major crimes Eight local communities sign compacts with state Yard sign dispute injects tension into Acushnet selectmen's race Advocates praise repeal of law that suspended drivers licenses for drug crimes See how much surrounding communities would get from Brockton casino payments Harvard hires real estate veteran Steven D. Fessler to guide Allston development - Boston Business Journal Massachusetts will play central role in $317M Revolutionary Fiber and Textile Manufacturing Innovation Institute - Boston Business Journal The Somerville 18 Are Now the Somerville Zero | WGBH News DraftKings And FanDuel To Suspend Contests On College Sports 'Indefinitely' Republicans Call For Investigation Of Benefits Given To State University Leaders Mass. Senate Links More Charters To An Increase In Public School Funding Transgender Public Accommodations Bill Remains Stalled In Mass. Legislature State auditor to county: get a lawyer Quincy won't fight Ward 6 ruling; Harris to fill city council seat Legislator calls for investigation of college leader perks Northborough police: Teen frustrated with racial slurs removes Donald Trump sign CitySquare developers seek to raze former Notre Dame Church in Worcester

National headlines Donald Trump's momentum appears stalled in Wisconsin - The Boston Globe

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