MASSterList: Is the T Baker's Iraq? | Globe, in reality, is 'an old-line manufacturer' | Bike safety bills to be considered

 
Wednesday, January 6, 2016

By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) and Keith Regan

Today: December tax revenue to help point the way on cuts The looming midyear budget gap is expected to get clearer definition after revenue figures for December arrive today. The governor has all but promised to wield the budget ax. If this sounds familiar, it is because the Baker administration officials faced a budget shortfall a year ago as soon as they took office. This one is will be much smaller, although an exact figure hasn't been pinpointed yet. Also today: Bill could help find money for the Green Line extension The Transportation Committee will hear a bill by Rep. William Straus that would establish a process for local real estate growth to finance transportation investments. Straus has suggested the bill (H 3877) could be used to help finance the Green Line Extension and the South Coast Rail. The hearing will be in room A-2 at 10 am. The Transportation Committee also will weigh bicycle safety bills, the State House News Service's Andy Metzger reports this morning. "The bills sponsored by Rep. Dan Hunt, of Dorchester, and Sen. William Brownsberger, of Belmont, would require side-guards and blind-spot mirrors on trucks of a certain size registered in Massachusetts." http://bit.ly/1JXbd9o (pay wall) Commuter train derailment: No cold comfort Let's not think of it as an omen. After a commuter rail train traveling north rolled off the tracks at 4 am yesterday just north of the Andover station, federal authority arrived on the scene. Only two personnel were on the train, and they were unhurt. The cold weather may have caused a rail to break, and transportation officials, including Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, were defensive after this first test of cold weather yield less that stellar results. "I don't want people to think because we had these unfortunate disruptions today that it means that the winter preparations are not going to result in a better commute," she said. More here from the Globe's Laura Crimaldi: http://bit.ly/1kKuap3 And the broken rail phenomenon was alleged to have spread to the Red Line, putting some riders on shuttle buses on the Ashmont line and leading to midday delays. The sudden drop in temperature may be behind the rail problems, writes Adam Vaccaro of Boston.com. http://bit.ly/1VHX7j2 Is the T Baker's Iraq? For some perspective on the political consequences of "owning" a broken transportation system, we turn to the Herald's Howie Carr, who notes that reality is setting in for Baker and the T. "If the T is Iraq, commuter rail is Anbar province. Baghdad/10 Park keeps installing new generals -- Keolis is the current company -- and for a while, everything is okay. Ramadi is recaptured, there are no disasters on the Fitchburg line for a few months. But eventually, things fall apart, er, 'fail.'" Howie extends the metaphor here:http://bit.ly/1S3IYgS John Henry addresses readers; will reporters deliver again? The Boston Globe publisher, seeing his newspaper reeling from a delivery debacle, penned an open letter that went online last evening, apologizing, explaining the rational for the switch in vendors, and saying that help is on the way. The Globe will soon be bringing back the previous delivery vendor, Publishers Circulation Fulfillment, to share in the delivery process, effective Jan. 11. That means there will be another Sunday with a short-staffed ACI, and leaves open the question whether Globe employees will be called upon again to deliver. The new deal is detailed in this story: http://bit.ly/1Z7S151 From Shirley Leung's column on the Globe's delivery woes: "Behind the Globe delivery debacle is an inconvenient truth: As much as we think of ourselves as a digital-first, multimedia organization, we are an old-line manufacturer that relies on a hub-and-spoke distribution model for a product that still generates most of our revenue." http://bit.ly/1O4R4Sx Charter school bill in the Senate may remain a nonstarter Doubts about the Senate having interest in considering legislation that would lift the cap on charters schools grew yesterday after Senate President Stan Rosenberg said it was "very much an uphill battle." Great Schools Massachusetts, the pro-charter group that is pushing for a ballot referendum, pushed back on Rosenberg's assertion that his district was against adding more charter schools, Matt Murphy of the State House News Service reports. http://bit.ly/22KsCxt New restaurant for Hilltop site? A New Hampshire restaurant took to social media, suggesting it may be create an establishment at the site of the former Hilltop Steak House. http://bit.ly/1IQobec Some T pass prices could rise 20 percent The Globe's Nicole Dungca breaks down the details of the MBTA's Fiscal Control Board's fare-hike proposals and finds that some fares will drop by as much as 20 percent and others -- including some bus-only passes that are heavily used by low-income riders -- increase by the same amount. http://bit.ly/1S3E2c6 Everett grabs Wynn land, gives it right back  The city of Everett began land-taking proceedings on a parcel owed by Wynn Resorts after a $168 tax bill was sent to the prior owners of the property by mistake, the Herald's Jack Encarnacao reports. The city announced its intentions to seize the 3.4 acre parcel that Wynn bought last year for $8 million in November, but now says the taxes are paid in full. http://bit.ly/1Z4XNim  Baker expects energy, budget battles  Gov. Baker expects battles with the legislature over what are expected to be deep budget cuts for the coming fiscal year and his plan to help replace energy production being lost by the closing the Pilgrim Station nuclear plant with hydro power, the Gloucester Times reports. http://bit.ly/1mBsKPC  Boston magazine trims staff  The parent company of Boston Magazine has cut three editorial positions at the monthly as part of a larger restructuring, the Boston Business Journal reports. Senior Editor S.I. Rosenbaum was among those fired in the cuts, which come just days after the departure of Editor Carly Carioli. http://bit.ly/1PJVvTv  The Globe's Jon Chesto has even more details on the Boston mag situation here: http://bit.ly/1RhxJBS Judge makes bingo hall ban permanent  A Federal judge has strengthened his ruling banning the Wampanoag tribe of Aquinnah from opening a bingo hall on Martha's Vineyard, the Cape Cod Times reports. Judge Dennis Saylor IV signed a permanent injunction against the facility at the request of Attorney General Maura Healey and attorneys for the town of Aquinnah. The tribe is still expected to appeal the ruling to a higher court. http://bit.ly/1kLgLgt Cronin to head Boston Public Market Well-known lawyer Cheryl Cronin, active in Democratic circles, will be the new CEO of the recently opened indoor food market, Boston Public Market, taking over for founder Liz Morningstar. The Globe's Megan Woolhouse has more here. http://bit.ly/1Z8chDD REMEMBER: To send your tips to me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com. Op-eds and other commentary are invited for publication on MASSterList. Subscribe now for free!

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

National headlines  Obama's gun actions applauded by Mass. delegation in Washington Obama administration expands background checks for online, gun show weapon purchases - The Boston Globe State headlines  Baker expects battles over budget, energy - Gloucester Daily Times: Local News Stan Rosenberg to FERC: Kinder Morgan pipeline 'flies in the face' of Massachusetts' clean energy goals Charter school supporters challenge Massachusetts Senate President Stanley Rosenberg's statements All fare increases not created equal in new MBTA proposals - The Boston Globe In Mass. schools, a focus on well-being - The Boston Globe Advocates press Baker to release funds for healthy foods initiative - The Boston Globe Globe taps former distributor to take over half of Boston area deliveries - The Boston Globe Judge issues permanent ban on Gay Head tribe's bingo hall As Mass. Legislature Kicks Off New Year, A Look At Where Key Bills Stand Despite cold-weather woes, MBTA says it's ready for winter season - The Boston Globe Local headlines  Proposed Westport river center making some waves Jack Lally, 18, hopes to fit in on Brockton City Council Boston magazine cuts more staff after axing editor Carly Carioli - Boston Business Journal Metro Corp. Announces Restructuring Walsh on Obama's Gun Control Order: 'Another Step Forward' Mass. gun-rights advocates indifferent toward Obama's plan Still no date set for special election to fill Hedlund's former Senate seat Ashland's Walker to vie for Sannicandro's seat Bernie Sanders paid Worcester schools $8,800 to use North High auditorium State legislators Fattman, Durant weigh in on Southbridge schools takeover Facing overflow crowd, Grafton postpones marijuana dispensary meeting Everett seizes Wynn land due to clerical flub Justice Dept. drops HubSpot case with no charges, leaves plenty of questions - The Boston Globe

MASSterList: Trouble in Toyland | Credit outlook downgraded | Moulton hosts refugee roundtable

 
Tuesday, November 24, 2015

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By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Keith Regan

Today: Trouble in Toyland; Moulton hosts refugee roundtable   Gov. Charlie Baker joins Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst and Mass Insight President William Guenther to launch a campaign urging state residents to #BuyinMA this holiday season, 1:30 in Faneuil Hall, by the Holiday Tree, Boston.   MassPIRG holds news conference to release its 30th annual Trouble in Toyland report and list of dangerous toys. According to MassPIRG, the report finds that "despite improvements from recent product safety regulation reforms, there are still dangerous toys on store shelves that pose a safety hazard." Rep. Livingstone and MassPIRG Education Fund advocate Michelle Surka participate, Torit Language Center, 41 Bromfield St., Boston, 10 am.   Congressman Seth Moulton hosts a roundtable with Syrian refugees, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition and law enforcement officials on issues facing Massachusetts' immigrant community. A press conference with Moulton and the roundtable participants will follow, Massachusetts Immigrant and Advocacy Coalition, 105 Chauncy St., 9th floor, Boston, 2:45 pm. (See link to Moulton's Globe op-ed on Syrian refugees below.)   Is means testing the way to go for T riders?   The cost of taking the T risks becoming so prohibitive for lower income people that MBTA's Fiscal Management and Control Board is seriously weighing means testing to lower fares for some people. This is a noble idea, but it raises a larger issue: Not only is our public transportation system decidedly second rate, it is becoming so expensive that the one-price-fits-all fare tradition is too expensive for a significant slice of the population. Much of the public can't afford public transportation. Just like the public can't afford public higher education without going deeply in debt. The control board's hand-wringing about fares is flashing a clear warning signal about increases. The T has decided to misinterpret the Legislature's clear intention to limit fare increases to 5 percent every two years, and so T riders can expect to get walloped soon. See the story from the State House News Service's Andy Metzger on the T board's concerns about fares here:http://bit.ly/1NoNc1B (paywall)   Meanwhile, the T is engaged in a dodgy interpretation of the First Amendment, yesterday voting to ban political advertising, meaning anything relating to "economic, political, moral, religious or social issues." Of course a judge would say, just what is political advertising? Is a message from the state urging residents to check out the Health Connector political? More importantly, why are we being protected by the state (on state property, no less) from a free expression of ideas, whether we like them or not? Will there soon be trigger warnings before crowding onto a C Line train? The Globe's Nicole Dungca covers the ad ban story here: http://bit.ly/1MyljRk Seth Moulton explains - beyond 140 characters In a Globe op-ed, Congressman Seth Moulton goes beyond tweeting about the refugee controversy to argue that the recent House vote to pause the immigration of Syrian refugees plays into the enemy's hands. "Singling out Muslims or Syrians - the very victims of ISIS's reign of terror - or suggesting that American values apply to them only with caveats, gives ISIS a propaganda tool it can use to recruit more foot soldiers. In other words, "pausing" refugee immigration will not help our national security. Instead, that overreaction might well harm our anti-terror efforts."http://bit.ly/1Hjm9CB Voters divided on Syrian refugees  A Suffolk University poll finds Massachusetts voters "deeply split" over how the state should approach the Syrian refugee crisis, with most backing Gov. Baker's controversial stance, the Globe reports. The poll found 47 percent support for the stance taken by Baker and other governors who said they would refuse to accept refugees from the war-ravaged region. Although 40 percent of voters disagree with the governor on the Syrian issue, however, his popularity levels remain sky-high,the same poll found, with a 70 percent approval rating. http://bit.ly/1MOD8t7 S&P lowers outlook on Mass. debt  Citing the depletion of the Commonwealth's rainy day fund, Standard & Poor's has lowered its outlook on Massachusetts debt from stable to negative, CommonwWealth magazine reports. The rating agency kept the state's debt rating at AA+, but cited drawdowns from the rainy day fund and the diversion of funds previously dedicated to keeping it robust. The Baker administration predictably sough to lay the blame at the feet of its predecessor, [We have always acknowledged that this requires a multi-year fix to overcome issues which we inherited," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore.  http://bit.ly/1NpyOGi Everett Mayor focus of union probe  In what appears to be a widening of a probe into the tactics of labor unions, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria is now the focus of a federal inquiry into whether he coerced a developer to employ union workers as he turned the former Charleston Chew factory into an apartment complex, the Globe reports. Prosecutors are focusing on why the developer, Andy Montelli, hired some union workers even after telling DeMaria doing so would add to his costs, the Globe says. http://bit.ly/1SZlEOC Revere recount court-bound?  Revere's Election Commission took no action on former Mayor Dan Rizzo's faxed-in request for a recount in his narrow loss to Brian Arrigo, the Globe reports. The Commission's inaction after it received Rizzo's request--by facsimile--along with a document authorizing his brother to oversee the recount means Rizzo may need a judge to order any recount. Arrigo took home 5,209 votes compared to 5,091 for Rizzo.http://bit.ly/1TbYIfL Tribe will appeal bingo hall ruling   The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head says it will appeal a judge's ruling that slammed the door on its attempts to open a modest-sized bingo hall on Martha's Vineyard, the Cape Cod Times reports. The tribe's attorney tells the paper he may first ask Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to reconsider his own decision in the light of new information but that the tribe is also prepared to meet the Dec. 11 deadline to file a formal appeal.  http://bit.ly/1lGPfC3 Second Amendment debate rages in Lowell  Gun-rights advocates met Monday with Lowell officials who they accuse of overstepping their authority by seeking to restrict access to gun permits beyond the bounds of state law, the Lowell Sun reports. The face-to-face was arranged after new regulations put in place by Police Superintendent William Taylor for obtaining gun permits-including a provision that requires applicants to demonstrate they are not a threat to public safety-drew the ire of some residents and activists.http://bit.ly/1NbvWuV TODAY'S TOP STORIES National headlines  Hillary Clinton is coming to Boston's Faneuil Hall John Kerry outlines Syrian refugee vetting procedures in letter to Charlie Baker and other governors - The Boston Globe Trump's primary ballot status is challenged in N.H. - The Boston Globe State headlines  An ill Sal DiMasi deserves better treatment - The Boston Globe MBTA votes to ban political advertisements - The Boston Globe Gov. Charlie Baker signs veteran protection bills into law No real legal recourse over 'Spotlight' beef Mass. poll shows voters split on Baker's refugee stance - The Boston Globe Everett mayor is focus of federal inquiry - The Boston Globe Galvin testifies in favor of new retirement plan for workers in private sector - The Boston Globe S&P revises outlook on Massachusetts debt to 'negative' - The Boston Globe Auditor: Cities and towns to get $2.76M for 2016 Elections The Boston Globe Makes Some Headway On Digital Subscriptions MBTA Board Becomes Proxy War for Israel-Palestine Conflict Valet for the common man - CommonWealth Magazine S&P lowers Mass. outlook to negative - CommonWealth Magazine Local headlines New Bedford to see highest property tax rates in 16 years Gun-rights activists take aim at Lowell ordinance Island tribe plans appeal of judge's ruling Brockton City Council vote ends Aquaria contract dispute Milton selectmen, police chief to discuss contract dispute Adams Selectmen consider regionalizing emergency dispatch service Worcester board gives Holy Cross OK for major expansion of athletic complex Area Muslims ask police for extra protection, say political rhetoric is fueling tensions Revere mayoral recount may be heading to court - The Boston Globe Springfield City Council reduces tax rates for homeowners, businesses, but average home bill will rise City Council balks at banning parking around MGM Springfield casino project