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State health care spending spike comes with call for ‘bold action’
10-13-2024 5:01 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Health care spending in Massachusetts continued to grow faster than household incomes, according to new research, fueling concerns about access to care, even before accounting for the recent upheaval inflicted by Steward Health Care’s bankruptcy.The...

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New gun law facing second legal challenge, plus repeal push
10-08-2024 1:52 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

The fight over the fate of a sweeping new gun law expanded to another front late last week with a second lawsuit challenging the measure’s constitutionality.Gino Recchia and the Bellingham gun shop he owns, Mass Armament, filed a complaint in federal...


Many Mass. hospitals report negative operating margins
10-07-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

While the problems at Steward Health Care absorbed the spotlight over the past nine months, many other hospitals across Massachusetts continued to struggle financially in what an industry group called a “deeply troubling” trend.New financial data...


In Massachusetts, free community college stirs ‘hope and possibility’
10-04-2024 4:07 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Ten years ago, Sara Guttierez dropped out of college because she could not make the finances work.It was a hard, stressful decision, she recalled Wednesday, one that left her feeling “lost and uncertain” about the future. But today, Guttierez is back...


Gov. Maura Healey signs emergency preamble to block effort to suspend gun law
10-02-2024 4:14 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Gov. Maura Healey said Wednesday that she plans to immediately implement a sweeping gun reform law, in the process blocking opponents who appear to be on the verge of suspending the law for more than two years until voters get the final say.A...


Healey admin budget secretary bracing for "unavoidable deficiencies"
09-29-2024 8:58 AM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

The Healey administration’s budget chief is “cautiously optimistic” about the economic outlook for the year ahead, even though he expects lackluster tax collections to continue and sees “unavoidable deficiencies” on the horizon.Administration and...


Voter law campaigns finding path to ballot unobstructed
09-26-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Massachusetts voters will be asked this fall to decide the largest field of potential new laws in years, but despite the volume, most of the action so far is concentrated on just a couple of the ballot questions.Less than two months away from the...


Massachusetts gun law opponents advance suspension, repeal campaign
09-20-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Opponents of a major new gun law say they have collected a bit less than half of the signatures they need by early next month to suspend the measure until voters would potentially get a chance to decide its fate in 2026.A group of gun owners and...


Galvin predicts 15% turnout for Massachusetts primary elections
08-30-2024 12:48 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON – There’s little competition in next week’s state primaries, and Secretary of State William Galvin expects voter turnout of around 15%.Based on ballots cast so far by mail and in early-voting hours, Galvin on Thursday forecast that the Tuesday,...


Long-term care bill headed to governor’s desk
08-29-2024 4:13 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON – Infection control plans, uniform patient transfer forms, heightened scrutiny of private equity and much more headline a compromise long-term care reform bill that lawmakers expect to send to Gov. Maura Healey this week.Nearly a month after...


Mass. drivers drawing nearly 100K violations a month
08-21-2024 5:28 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Massachusetts motorists racked up driving violations at an accelerating rate through the first seven months of 2024, according to data state regulators presented Tuesday.The head of the Merit Rating Board, a division of the state Registry of...


No date circled for special mop-up session with legislative leaders
08-06-2024 2:16 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Legislative leaders have few specifics ironed out for a potential return to formal business after they failed to find agreement last week on a major jobs bill and several other popular proposals.With Beacon Hill now fully ensconced in summer vacation...


Mass. House approves standards for dog kennels
07-28-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Representatives went five for five on approval of animal safety and treatment bills Thursday, mounting a late-session push for greater dog kennel oversight and a ban on the use of certain exotic mammals in traveling shows.The House approved the bills,...


No votes planned, but aid in dying backers optimistic
07-25-2024 1:34 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — Supporters of medical aid in dying pressed Wednesday for a late-session vote on the proposal, pointing to growing numbers of legislative backers and movement at the committee level as a sign that “anything is possible.”With one week remaining...


Senate charts course to soothe ‘struggling’ health sector
07-16-2024 12:20 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Senate Democrats will vote Thursday on a voluminous health care oversight reform bill inspired by the crisis at Steward Health Care as well as broader industry trends inflicting pressure on hospitals, providers and patients.Nearly two months after the...


Commission hears challenge to tipped worker ballot question
07-11-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

The national group pursuing a ballot question that would increase what Massachusetts employers must pay tipped workers faces a new 11th-hour obstacle that could imperil its fate.A restaurant industry trade group higher-up filed an objection with state...


Lawmakers wade into CCC ‘trainwreck,’ mull possible action
07-10-2024 4:28 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Lawmakers from both parties signaled Tuesday they share a government watchdog’s concerns about upheaval at the Cannabis Control Commission, but Democrats who wield decision-making power stopped short of indicating what kind of response they might...


Massachusetts SJC clears tipped wages question for ballot
06-14-2024 1:05 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON – Voters are on track to get the final say over whether Massachusetts businesses should pay a higher minimum wage to tipped employees after the state’s highest court on Thursday concluded that a proposed ballot question is properly drafted.The...


House approves five-year, $6.5 billion housing bond
06-09-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

Nearly 18 months after legislative leaders kicked off the two-year term by identifying sky-high housing costs as one of their chief areas of focus, the Massachusetts House stamped its approval on a $6.5 billion plan that top Democrats believe will...


House outlines $6.2 billion housing plan
06-05-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

BOSTON — House Democrats will seek a vote this week on a bill that combines $6.2 billion in state borrowing and tax credits with policy reforms designed to unlock new housing production, including development of units on single-family lots.With...


Committee forms to oppose psychedelics push in Mass
05-05-2024 5:00 PM

By CHRIS LISINSKI

A new campaign chaired by a Massachusetts General Hospital surgeon will oppose a potential ballot question seeking to decriminalize some psychedelic substances.After coming together “reasonably quickly” in the past week, as spokesperson Chris Keohan...

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