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MASSterList: Warren’s enemies list? | Not so crazy | Barney unloads
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Showing posts with label MBTA ads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MBTA ads. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2018
MASSterList: Warren’s enemies list? | Not so crazy | Barney unloads
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Sunday, November 29, 2015
Cape Cod Today: SHNS: Weekly roundup - All the trimmings Crickets at the capitol
Weekly roundup - All the trimmings
Crickets at the capitol
- See more at: http://www.capecodtoday.com/article/2015/11/29/227174-Weekly-roundup-All-trimmings#sthash.MrsTzJqK.dpuf
The signs of the season were all there: impromptu charity dance-offs, high school football (some being played at Fenway Park) and a capitol empty enough by Wednesday that it would have made an ideal refuge for a turkey to ride out the holiday.
But before attention fully turned away from negotiations over solar incentives and looming decisions on the state budget to how best to beat the Thanksgiving traffic, there was enough happening this week to overshadow the fact that Senate President Stanley Rosenberg's Movember moustache didn't make it through the month.
Gov. Charlie Baker, despite seeing much of his first-year agenda pushed off into 2016 by the ever-deliberative legislative process, appeared ready to start writing the next chapter of his first term.
Baker started his week in Lynn, a North Shore city in need of revival and just minutes from the governor's Swampscott home. It was there, with other political and business leaders, that he announced the city as a "test case" for a coordinated and focused revitalization effort, include buzzwords like "expedited permitting" that might someday be replicated in other urban centers.
The next day he was at Amazon's Kendall Square offices in Cambridge receiving a demonstration on the tech and retail company's newest gadget the Echo, a wireless voice-activated speaker with computer technology that operates in a manner similar to personal phone assistants like Apple's Siri.
"Alexa, play Blink 182," the governor instructed, so enchanted by Alexa that he would later declare that his children would all be getting one for Christmas.
So, yes, the governor is apparently a huge Blink 182 fan, but that's beside the point.
Baker's real purpose for being in Cambridge that morning was to announce the formation of a new team he's calling "BizWorks," a cross-secretariat strike force on call to help businesses looking to locate or expand in Massachusetts navigate government programming.
Baker is not the first governor to talk about implementing a "single point of contact" for businesses to interface with the state, but he said BizWorks, along with a regional planning process to better link the needs of employers with the mission of higher education and workforce training, will get deeper into the details than any effort before.
The events marked what appears to be a shift in focus for the administration heading into year two to economic development and job creation. Baker himself had to restrain himself from spilling too many details about forthcoming jobs legislation that he intends to file early in the new year, but dropped a few hints, including the likely inclusion of financial incentives for schools to align courses of instruction with the job skill needs of regional businesses.
The governor had more to be thankful for this holiday week than just scratching a few gift ideas off his checklist. A new Suffolk University poll for the Boston Globe found that the most popular governor in America continues to enjoy unabated support from residents.
In addition to his 70 percent job approval rating, 43 percent of respondents said the Republican was doing a better job than his predecessor Democrat Deval Patrick. Majorities also supported the two most controversial provisions of Baker's substance abuse prevention bill - 72-hour supply limits on opioid prescriptions for new patients and three-day involuntary hospitalization holds on addiction patients.
If Baker's popularity is going to get challenged in the short-term, the test may be coming up soon on two fronts.
The poll showed that the state budget sits atop the list of issues facing the administration, and Standard and Poor's fired a warning shot across the bow when it downgraded the state credit outlook to negative.
Citing "a multi-year trend on spending and the use of reserve funds," Standard and Poor's - one of the three big rating agencies - did not take the more drastic step of downgrading the state's AA+ bond rating, but did put budget policy leaders on notice.
A downgrade in the state bond rating would be a major stain on a Baker administration that prides itself on being fiscally conservative and not over-committing to major, expensive initiatives.
While the fiscal 2016 budget was balanced without tapping into reserves, the governor has partnered with the Legislature twice in his first year to freeze capital gains tax revenue deposits into the "rainy-day account" to free up more spending capacity, but probably does so again at his own risk.
Baker and his team have, for the most part, been reluctant to point fingers at his predecessor for challenges they have faced early in their administration, but this comment from A&F Secretary Kristen Lepore succeeded in raising the hackles of the Patrick tribe.
"Since day one of this Administration, we have stressed the importance of bringing spending in line with revenue, achieving structural balance, and building our Stabilization Fund, especially in good times. We have made significant progress in each area, but we have always acknowledged that this requires a multi-year fix to overcome issues which we inherited," Lepore said.
The Democratic Party and a former staffer, who now lives in Chicago, took deep umbrage, pointing to the fact that under Gov. Patrick the state's bond rating was actually upgraded to its current level in 2011 and remained there for the duration of his term with a "stable" outlook.
"Like their decisions on the MBTA budget and plans and their decisions on the state's solar and clean energy future, the Baker Administration, having filed its first budget, now owns the bond ratings and the jobs outlook, both of which were in very good shape over the past several years," Democratic Party spokesman Pat Beaudry said.
The MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board also had some preliminary discussions about increasing fares at the T, with a more tangible proposal likely to be presented in January.
Fare increases are never easy, and seldom well-received, no matter how much the transit agency needs the cash to improve service.
Several board members called for a serious discussion of means-based fares that would be adjusted based on a rider's ability to pay. While such a system might blunt the impact of fare hikes on low-income riders, others on the board questioned the feasibility of implementing such a system.
In the meantime, the board voted to ban future political advertising on the T after a Davis Square ad critical of the Israeli military's treatment of Palestinians brought high tension to the T board's meeting.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving, and don't forget to drop off your unused turkey carcasses to Michael Dukakis.
About the Author »
Matt Murphy covers major media, lobbying firms, government agencies, political junkies as well as towns Statewide. He likes to cover politics and campaigns.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
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
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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
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Monday, November 23, 2015
MASSterList: 'Spotlight' portrayal devastates spokesman | Fare hike on the horizon? | Complaints against BPD languish
Monday, November 23, 2015
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By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Sara Brown
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Today: Controversy expected at T Control Board
Gov. Charlie Baker attends the Lynn Economic Development Task Force kickoff event at Lynn City Hall, 9:30 (see item below) then attends the Firefighter of the Year Award ceremony, Kresge Auditorium, MIT, 10:30 am.
MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board will consider several controversial issues, including fare policy, service planning, and advertising policy. The board is scheduled to release for public comment the revised 2016 fare policy. MassDOT Boardroom, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830, Boston, 1 pm.
Mayor Marty Walsh participates in the lighting of the Trellis in Christopher Columbus Park, Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Atlantic Avenue, North End, 5:30 pm.
The JFK Presidential Library Forum Series hosts "A Conversation with Maura Healey" where the attorney general will discuss her first year in office and legal challenges facing the Commonwealth with Dean of Harvard Law School Martha Minow, Smith Hall, Columbia Point, Boston, 6:00 pm.
'Spotlight' portrayal snares BC spokesman
In a subplot stemming from the release of "Spotlight," the movie about the Globe's reporting on the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal, a real-life character is calling foul, saying he has been smeared by the movie's screenplay. He is Jack Dunn, the head of public affairs at Boston College, who says the movie completely misrepresents his role at Boston College High School, his alma mater, in advising the high school as the scandal was breaking. In movie dialogue, Dunn is portrayed as callous toward victims, when in real life he says he helped create a plan to help victims report abuse. As the Globe's Kevin Cullen notes, Dunn has a lawyer trying to get the scene deleted, but most likely in vain. http://bit.ly/1XiiMO3
The thrill is gone at Plainridge
The hoopla over the opening of the slots at Plainridge, overhyped by the media, especially theGlobe, is now over, revealing a collection of slot machines that generally take people's money in the name of entertainment (and revenue for the state). Yvonne Abraham of the Globe drops in on Plainridge and points out that as revenue drops, even more competition will soon crowd in.http://bit.ly/1Yn6AOf
So far, this legislative session has been a dud
It seems tensions are building again between the House and the Senate on Beacon Hill in the aftermath of an unproductive legislative stretch before the holiday break, Frank Phillips of the Globe reports in today's Globe. The House passed major two bills just before the break, giving the Senate very little time to consider them. Both, the public records law bill and the net metering legislation, had sat in committee for months. Some members of the Senate say they are fed up.http://bit.ly/21cfujY `
A citizen activist, wanting better accessibility, wages Dunkin' Donuts strike
When MASSterList pointed out recently that it was Donut Day, a reader responded, in essence, that every day is boycott Dunkin' Donuts Day for her, as she is handicapped and struggles to get into their stores. "They (the doors) do fit under the ADA," Carla Charter told me. "It doesn't mean they're easy to get into." Her campaign is to have Dunkin' Donuts stores install handicapped accessible buttons. She has requested a meeting with the CEO for coffee (no dice) and continues to document her donut strike with a Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/1HhfKHP and a Twitter account: @Doors2Dunkins. "No one should have to hold the door for me," said Charter, who uses forearm crutches. "I'm very much into independence. When you have a disability, sometimes little things mean big things."
Ballot question efforts say they've cleared hurdle
Speaking of citizen activism, several ballot petition initiatives seem to be on track, according to a report this morning by the State House News Service's Erica Moser. A question to limited health care pricing, pushed by the SEIU, has gathered over 130,000 signatures before last Wednesday's deadline; advocates for a proposal to prevent "extreme" confinement of farm animals have gathered over 95,000 signatures. The threshold is 64,750 verified as certified voters. As Moser explains, several ballot efforts have fallen short. http://bit.ly/1Obl4xY (paywall)
Poll: Romney would easily win NH primary
New Hampshire Republicans would choose Mitt Romney over the entire current GOP field by wide margin, a poll conducted by the Globe and Suffolk University has found. Romney would in fact double up frontrunner Donald Trump, by a margin of 31 percent to 15 percent. Romney has repeatedly said he's not running and missed a key deadline Friday to get onto the NH ballot. http://bit.ly/1lbSNeW
Somerville bracing for bare-bones Green Line design
Pols and officials in Somerville are coming to grips with what is expected to be a dramatically scaled-down vision for the Green Line extension, the Herald reports. The T is expected to detail the changes it will propose to the court-mandated extension on Dec. 9. http://bit.ly/1N8lG6u
RMV sticking to pay-to-play approach
The Registry of Motor Vehicle is not only sticking to the controversial pay-to-play approach that enables driving schools to move up the waiting lists for road tests, but is promising those schools it will listen to their concerns before m making any changes, according to a piece by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting published in the Telegram. http://bit.ly/1T9EIub
Complaints against Boston police languish
A dozen officers in the Boston police department have had 20 or more complaints lodged against them over the past two decades, and internal investigations into complaints can take years to be resolved, the Globe reports. Overall, however, complaints from the public are down, with 386 formally filed last year, compared with 527 in 2013. http://bit.ly/1Xl3ND1
Emails provide glimpse behind resignation
The Herald's Matt Stout used his Pols and Politics column on Sunday to dig into the relationship between Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton and Carol Sanchez, who abruptly resigned her position as head of the department of conservation and recreation earlier this month. Stout sees signs of an "at-times tense working relationship" in the emails the Herald obtained through records request. http://bit.ly/1T9xYw8
'This is Lynn's time': All in on the city of Lynn
The Baker administration has launched what may be an unprecedented task force aimed at encouraging economic development in the city of Lynn, the Globe's Jon Chesto reports. Led by development secretary Jay Ash, the group sees enormous potential in the city's proximity to Boston, large amounts of undeveloped or under-developed land and its largely hidden waterfront.http://bit.ly/1Objw6Y
Fare hike 'on the table'
MBTA chief administrator Brian Shortsleeve told WCVB's Ed Harding and Janet Wu on Sunday's "On the Record" program: "We don't do a very good job collecting our fares...It's a lot of money. I don't have a number for you." Given the need to boost revenue at the T, Shortsleeve said "Fare policy's a big part of it. And you're going to hear the control board talking about that in the coming weeks. I'd say nothing is inevitable. But everything here is on the table." http://bit.ly/1PVcG5z
Trump in Birmingham: It gets uglier and uglier
This is a new, new low. Following a Trump rally Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, where a black activist appeared to be punched and kicked as he fell to the ground before he was removed from the rally, Trump said the following day: ''Maybe he should have been roughed up, because it was absolutely disgusting what he was doing. I have a lot of fans, and they were not happy about it. And this was a very obnoxious guy who was a troublemaker who was looking to make trouble.''http://bit.ly/1MxoVmk
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