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

MASSterList: Where MA ranks for health care costs | Deval candidacy a 'joke'? | What Meehan wants from Beacon Hill

 

Monday, October 5, 2015

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By George Donnelly and Sara Brown

Today: Health care costs in the spotlight - The Commonwealth's top political leaders will convene at the Health Policy Commission's annual Health Care Cost Trends hearing this morning starting at 9:00am at Suffolk University Law School. Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Speaker Robert DeLeo, and other elected officials will provide opening remarks. - Gov. Baker holds a ceremonial swearing in of Judge Scott Kafker as the sixth Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Lt. Gov. Polito and Attorney General Maura Healey also plan to attend. It's at the John Adams Courthouse, Great Hall, Boston, 3:45pm. - South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn is the keynote speaker at MassVOTE's annual reception, this year marking the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Attorney General Maura Healey and Senate President Stan Rosenberg are scheduled to attend, John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, 2nd floor atrium, Boston, 6:00pm.   Health care costs by the numbers In honor of the two-day Health Policy Commission hearing kicking off this morning, here's a quick look at health care costs in Massachusetts, by the numbers:   - Total health care spending in Massachusetts, 2014: $54 billion - Massachusetts' national rank as the most expensive state for individual health care premium costs: 3rd - Massachusetts' national rank as the most expensive state for family health care costs: 5th - Total health care average health care premium for an average Massachusetts family in 2014: $17,702 - Increase on prescription drug spending in Massachusetts, 2013-2014: 13 percent   Clinton nets at least $500K in MA Three fundraising events Thursday -- in Holyoke, Boston and Belmont -- netted presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at least $500,000, the Springfield Republican reported Friday. A campaign spokesman said Clinton had more than $32 million on hand as of Sept. 30.http://bit.ly/1KVgdOa   Joe Biden is drawing away donors from Clinton, reported the Wall Street Journal.http://on.wsj.com/1LYLHEY Legislature's vote total lowest in a generation The Legislature took the lowest number of votes in two decades to close a legislative session, according to data supplied to the Globe by the Mass. Fiscal Alliance. The spring total, which doesn't count veto overrides and procedural votes, may reflect the power struggle between the House and the Senate over joint legislative committees, which stalled committee work. There also is the trend toward larger, more inclusive legislative packages, rather than one-off votes, reports the Globe's David Scharfenberg. http://bit.ly/1LsBkL6   Tolls for NH commuters? New Hampshire commuters should pay for the privilege of using Massachusetts highways, writes Meredith Warren, a Republican consultant, in her Globe column. She cites census data that say 85,000 Granite State residents commute to Massachusetts. "With all of the serious work that needs to be done to fix our infrastructure, why should our neighbors to the north get a free ride? Why should Massachusetts taxpayers be on the hook to pave and plow the path from New Hampshire into Boston for free?" Interesting idea, but of course, New Hampshire residents pay Massachusetts income tax, which they might feel is a reasonable user fee for commuting on Massachusetts' highways. http://bit.ly/1M6kKiN   Brown: Deval as VP candidate a 'joke'  Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown called the idea of former Gov. Deval Patrick joining a Democratic presidential ticket headed by VP Joe Biden "a joke" and said the pairing would all but hand the election to the GOP, according to the Herald. Brown made his comments to the tabloid at one of the several  "No B.S. BBQ" events he plans hosting, with Carly Fiorina appearing at his home this weekend. Brown also says he'll make an endorsement decision before the New Hampshire primary. http://bit.ly/1PeGslB   Rainy day fund drying up  The state's rainy day fund has fallen to $1.1 billion, a figure that represents less than 3 percent of total state spending and has some budget advocates waving red flags at lawmakers, according to a Globe story by Joshua Miller. Critics say lawmakers have dipped into the reserve account to balance budgets rather than making harder decisions about taxes or program cuts, and say that when the economy inevitably goes south again, the state could find itself in a bind. http://bit.ly/1VyxQLJ  Berkshire Towns boosting smoking age to 21  Three more towns in Western Massachusetts are poised to amend local regulations to raise the minimum legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21, the Berkshire Eagle reports. Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge, which share a regional board of health, could join two other communities, Williamstown and Lanesborough, in making the shift. The city of Pittsfield has also weighed boosting the age, according to the Eagle. http://bit.ly/1Q0cCzC SPONSORED An outdated, arbitrary cap on public charter school seats is stranding 37,000 kids on charter school waiting lists. We can fix it: Give parents the opportunity to choose a great public school. It's time to make public charter schools available to every family that wants them. Learn more atGreatSchoolsMA.org.  Mass. Transit: The future of transportation -- a MASSterList/State House News Service event: Join us for a panel discussion featuring Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Charlie Chieppo, principal of Chieppo Strategies, and Rick Dimino, CEO of A Better City, on the vision for transportation in Massachusetts. It will be held Oct. 13, 7:30-9:30am at the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education center, 10 Winter Place, Boston. More details and registration here:http://bit.ly/1KADgeC Casino proposal divides Vineyard  From the weekend: Globe report Sean Murphy visited Martha's Vineyard and found that an effort by he Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe to open a gaming hall-something they pledged not to do- has divided the island. But Murphy found few locals willing to criticize the tribe's efforts, which now hang on a pending judge's ruling. http://bit.ly/1MaDOYM  Lightbody looks to throw weight around in Mayor's race  Convicted felon Charles Lightbody, who has become a central figure in the lawsuits and controversy swirling around Steve Wynn's Everett casino proposal, is apparently turning against onetime ally Dan Rizzo in his bid for re-election as mayor of Revere, the Globe reported on Saturday. Lightbody's family has accounted for 15 percent of the $27,000 raised so far by city councilor and mayoral challenger Brian Arrigo. Lightbody tells the Globe's Andrea Estes he's not angry at Rizzo, who he once backed financially, for comments he made calling him unsuitable to be involved in a casino deal. "That's just politics," says Lightbody. http://bit.ly/1Q0f2hx  Antique deals may face more regs Some lawmakers want to force antique dealers to deal with more regulations and are pushing for a law that would require them to keep a list of sellers and transactions, take photographs of items they sell and buy, and report weekly to their police department. The new laws would aim to end the sale of stolen goods on secondhand markets. "There's a lot of pawn shops and antique dealers that already do this, but there's plenty that aren't," said Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-Dedham to Salem News. "We need a better system to ensure that stolen property isn't being sold at secondhand stores throughout the state." http://bit.ly/1OhdAdh Rape increase seen in Harvard Rape and burglaries have gone up this past year at Harvard, according to its annual security report. "The number of reported campus rapes nearly doubled, increasing from 17 in 2013 to 33 in 2014. The number of total reported sexual offenses-defined as fondling, rape, incest, and statutory rape-increased slightly from 40 in 2013 to 43 in 2014," Boston.com reports. http://bit.ly/1RquLYk Boston puts more police on bikes Boston has put more police on bikes in tougher neighborhoods of the city and is reporting positive results. "We are the front lines in any crowd-control situation," Lieutenant David C. Murphy, who heads the unit, said to the Boston Globe. "We put out fires. We go wherever they need us." Their presence has lead to a decrease in crime. So far, there has been a 15 percent decrease in Dorchester and Mattapan and a 5 percent decrease in Roxbury. "In the past year the bicycle unit has recovered six firearms. In a three-month period officers working the Hospital District -- where drugs have been a major problem -- have made 70 arrests for drug dealing and outstanding warrants," the Globe reports. http://bit.ly/1j92ESa Quotes from the weekend:   "He felt that we really had no place... whatsoever to question him. That's the defensive position of every alcoholic. Go mind your own business, back off." - Patrick Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, on "60 Minutes" last night about when his family approached Ted Kennedy about his drinking in the early 1990s.   "A sustainable financial model is what I would like to see happen... where tuition and fees are predictable, where state support is predictable, and it's reasonable." -UMass President Marty Meehan, on NECN's "This Week in Business"   "Last Sunday at Fenway will be my greatest memory of my life. I can tell you that right now. Your tribute to me, I will never forget, ever. I've been asked many times over the last six weeks how I would like to be remembered. To be remembered at all is enough for me." - Don Orsillo, during his last game as a Red Sox announcer.   "Sadly and tragically corporate America, the corporate media have so much power that no president can do what has to be done unless millions of Americans come together and say loudly and clearly enough is enough." - Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, in his Springfield speech on Saturday. REMEMBER: To send your tips to me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com. Op-eds and other commentary invited for publication on Massterlist. TODAY'S TOP STORIES National: Scott Brown: Deval Patrick 'a joke' as VP candidate High court power play comes with presidency State: Ex-DCF worker says Baker needs to fix 2009 intake process Mass. legislators to hear calls for hands-free cellphone use by drivers On Beacon Hill, fewer votes than normal - The Boston Globe State could force antiques dealers to report sales Local: Mashpee superintendent allegedly entered student's house uninvited New Bedford Rep. Koczera targets Conflict of Interest Law in support of Ward 3 councilor Bousquet Holyoke treasurer candidates Joshua Garcia, Sandra Smith spar over experience, leadership Ashland Override Study Commitee to meet Tuesday Former Brockton mayoral candidate accuses lawmaker of offering him bribe Boston police bike patrol tries to keep the peace on city streets - The Boston Globe Western Mass. town proposes local gas taxLicense plates to hit the road Campaign season now taking off Two very different campaigns for mayor

MASSterList: Wynn's lawsuit threat counterpunch | Hub's housing boom lifts all boats? | Op-ed: Keep the MBTA fare cap

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) with Keith Regan

What's happening today Gov. Baker delivers remarks at the International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISS R&D) at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, 1 pm. Other speakers include active NASA astronauts Cady Coleman, Karen Nyberg, and Sunita Williams. More information, and some live-streamed sessions, at www.issconference.org... Sen. Thomas Kennedy's funeral is today at St. Edith Stein Parish, Brockton, 11 am... Boston Mayor Martin Walsh joins U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and state Housing and Economic Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay at the Quincy Heights housing development ribbon-cutting ceremony, 193 Magnolia Street, Dorchester, 11:30 am. Some tax-freeze math: Why little numbers matter Today, MASSterList will heedlessly step on the third rail of Massachusetts tax policy -- entertaining the idea of raising them. We'll start with a back of the envelope calculation: How much would keeping the income tax rate steady (instead of allowing it to drop by 5 basis points) cost the average household? The answer: About $33 a year (using a household income number of $66,768). All the same, small numbers have big meaning. The Senate floated a plan to freeze the rate to pay for an expanded earned income tax credit, a provision that would put more money in the pockets of the working poor. If the Massachusetts economy keeps expanding -- not a given -- the rate eventually will rest at 5 percent, and ultimately cost the average household roughly $100 per year. But it looks like the freeze plan is a non-starter with Speaker DeLeo, and certainly Gov. Baker. There's some irony in denying the poor a tax break when compared to the Legislature's over-the-top, regressive increase of the sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent in 2009. That one still takes real money disproportionately out of the pockets of low-income residents. At 5.15 percent, Massachusetts has a competitive rate. North Carolina's flat rate is 5.75 percent, and many other competitor states, including California and New York, have much higher tax rates. Small changes in tax rates have no macroeconomic impact, but rate very high in political fallout. Op-ed exclusive: Why we should keep the fare cap The move to lift the MBTA fare cap hasn't gotten a lot of attention, and Kristina Egan of Transportation for Massachusetts and Tony Dutzik of the Frontier Group argue why it should stay in place. "...Establishing a new fare policy for the T is something that is best done deliberately, following careful study, and in consultation with the riders who use the system every day." It's another MASSterList original op-ed. http://bit.ly/1eAsmwf Wynn to Walsh: Simmer down or get sued With a court date looming Thursday, Wynn Resorts sought to raise the stakes in its game of legal poker with Boston, threatening to sue both the city and Mayor Marty Walsh personally for what it calls a "campaign of falsehoods" against Wynn's would-be Everett casino and the process that led to its approval. According to the Globe, a letter from Wynn attorney Barry B. Langberg took aim at subpoenas issued by the city last week for investigators in the case that claim some were given access to confidential information as they investigated the involvement of convicted felon Charles Lightbody in the ownership of the Everett property. "The language of your subpoena was not typical legal wording but instead was designed to spread vicious falsehoods," Langberg wrote. On Thursday, the judge in the case will hear oral arguments on a motion by Wynn to have the city's lawsuit tossed. http://bit.ly/1fjObBc  The meaning of pregnant pauses One of the best political stories of the day can be found on the State House News Service website. When the Big Three paused for an interview after their weekly meeting yesterday, State House News Service's Andy Metzer covered the action. One question concerned the slow action on the state budget: "Asked whether he would be willing to take up a second interim budget, Rosenberg was quiet for a few moments before answering. 'Thanks guys,' said DeLeo's spokesman Seth Gitell, breaking the silence. Baker then offered: 'I hope there's not a second.' Patting both DeLeo and Rosenberg on their backs, he added, 'I'm very optimistic that these folks will figure this one out, OK?'"http://statehousenews.com/news/20151340 'Critical' employees seek justice in court Yesterday the National Association of Government Employees tried and failed to get an injunction allowing some state employees defined as "critical" to participate in the early retirement program. But the fight is not over. A hearing is set for Aug. 24 to explore whether Administration and Finance followed the legislative intent of the early retirement law by defining "critical" employees only by the funding source of the job. MassLive's Shira Schoenberg reported that about 30 employees deemed "critical" had submitted applications to retire early, and perhaps fewer than 50 would take the retirement incentives if the union prevails. Here's her story:  http://bit.ly/1KIE1Xx Housing production in Boston way up... ...And it's not just luxury units. The Globe previews a city-generated report that highlights a surge in low and middle-income housing. http://bit.ly/1UvqYvK Boston 2024 counting on business big time The complex financial plan that Boston 2024 says will make hosting the Olympics possible while protecting taxpayers relies on $1.5 billion in corporate support, a number that is either overly ambitious or too low, according to the Globe. Although corporate support for the Games remains strong, a recession at the wrong time could undermine the sponsorship revenue stream. "It will be tough and certainly not the slam-dunk they portray. Everything has to go right, including no recession at the wrong time," David D'Alessandro, former chief executive of longtime sponsor John Hancock Financial Services told the Globe. The paper says at nearly one-third of the total private budget, corporate backing is the largest single category of backing and the $1.5 billion figure is more than three times what organizers in Atlanta were able to bring in for the 1996 Olympics. More recent Games were more in the ballpark, however, with Beijing raising $1.3 billion in 2008 and London scoring $1.2 billion from sponsors in 2012. http://bit.ly/1H9NmR3  Healey: "Lot of Concerns" on sex ad sites Reacting to the murder of a prostitute in a Burlington hotel, which prosecutors say was part of a larger plot to rob escorts by tracking them through the online classified site Backpage, Attorney General Maura Healey told the Herald her office is aware of the site and will work to protect the public from it. "We have a lot of concerns with these websites. We saw it with Craigslist and we see the same concerns with Backpage," Healey told the Herald. "We're going to do everything we can to protect the public." The AG did not say what steps her office would take, and clearly she must tread lightly over free speech concerns. http://bit.ly/1S5jLhL  Is yearbook union "propaganda"?  Lowell Mayor Rodney Elliot and others are fired up over a photo that appeared in a middle school yearbook, the Lowell Sun reports. The photo in question shows the members of the school's championship Knowledge Bowl team posing in front of City Hall. Several of the students are holding signs that say "Do Your Job," a phrase that is apparently associated as much with an ongoing dispute over teacher contracts in the mill city as it is with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. "I just think it's outrageous, quite frankly, that anyone would do that to middle-school students that are so proud of their accomplishments," Elliot told the paper. Though it's not clear what if anything can be done about it now, others seem to agree. "It's like they were sending a political message," said School Committee member Kim Scott. http://bit.ly/1fjRyrO How to reach me and MASSterList Nothing makes me happier than comments, tips, suggestions. Also, opinion articles also will be considered. Please don't hesitate to weigh in on what we're missing and where we should look. Reach me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com or on Twitter @geodonnelly. TODAY'S TOP STORIES State headlines Union sues Baker administration over early retirement program - The Boston Globe State Budget Might Be Delayed For A Good Reason: Fixing The MBTA | WGBH News DeLeo: Budget could address some transportation issues Former Mass. Gov. William Weld sees Canton move as return to boyhood Prostitute's murder fuels AG's fight vs. online sex ads Boston 2024 counting on corporate America - The Boston Globe Casino headlines Wynn threatens to sue Walsh for defamation - The Boston Globe Wynn to mayor Walsh: I'll sue you! Mayor Marty Walsh skeptical gaming was off table at lunches Fairhaven looks to talk about casino impact Aquinnah selectmen tell tribe to halt bingo hall plans Local headlines Quincy mayor holds big lead in fundraising race Solar farm proposed for Rochester historic district worries town officials Tyngsboro officials consider stipends for elected boards Photo in Lowell middle-school yearbook picture called 'propaganda' for teachers' union New records shed light on NEMLEC operations Boston housing starts reach three-year high - Boston Business Journal Medway selectmen support med marijuana facility Natick: Selectmen support quiet zone along 'T' line