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Archive of Massachusetts on Monday May 05, 2008
Legislator describes threat as unnerving
As state Representative Jennifer M. Callahan listened to a budget debate on the House floor on Thursday, a fellow Democrat approached her and told her he was upset about comments she had previously made about his role in the possible succession of Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. Read More
A House dividing
One is an amiable, glad-handing pol from the North Shore, the other a boyish-looking former high school athlete from suburbs southwest of Boston. And while House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi insists he plans to stay in his powerful post, the two rivals to succeed him are engaged in a fierce behind-the-scenes battle, sensing their time may soon come. Read More
Study finds Bay Staters support casinos
Massachusetts could become the center of gambling in New England if it builds a destination resort casino and undercuts Rhode Island's 61 percent tax on video lottery terminals, according to a public policy analyst at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Read More
Pols take 1st step to stop phantom voting
In the wake of a phantom voting scandal reported by the Herald, lawmakers voted unanimously Friday night to establish a special committee to recommend a secure voting system for the House chamber. Read More
GOP struggles to turn tide on Beacon Hill
Massachusetts Republicans are hoping to reverse a half-century tumble toward political obscurity with the help of a cadre of fresh-faced candidates like Arthur Vigeant. Read More
Rep details colleague threat
A state rep who has accused another lawmaker of threatening her during budget deliberations said yesterday she went public to initiate reform in a House chamber where she says some power-hungry reps use intimidation to silence dissenting opinion. Read More
Deval's bench warmer$
The more things change, the more they stay the same on Beacon Hill. Especially when it comes to judicial picks. Gov. Deval Patrick named three lawyers to the bench this week, two of whom were (surprise!) campaign donors. Read More
In teen's memory, a mental health push
The teenager spoke so eloquently about the wild cycles of bipolar disorder that she drew tears from a State House audience last May. Read More
Rogers aims to woo GOP solons
A top House powerbroker looking to succeed Speaker Sal DiMasi is quietly courting a small core of Republicans - a sign the hardball jockeying for votes has hit a critical stage even as the embattled North End Democrat remained silent over open defiance to his wishes. Read More
Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
Even in spring, heating oil prices a pain
With the arrival of spring, thermostats are being turned down but prices keep going up for New Hampshire residents who use oil to heat their homes. Read More
Fighting global warming block by block
SEATTLE - King County Executive Ron Sims has a simple test for every new public works project, building plan or government land purchase: Will it increase the region's total greenhouse-gas emissions, or reduce them? Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
More states offer choice in long-term care
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes. Read More
Credit crunch hits states' college loans
(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)
The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college. Read More
Turf wars rage over fake grass
State legislators are used to political turf wars. Now, debates in a handful of states really are about turf, pitting those who back the artificial variety against supporters of natural grass for playgrounds and athletic fields. Read More
'Don't forget us,' PA candidates tell voters
As Pennsylvanians prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to cast ballots in the April 22 presidential primary, experts wonder how the surge in registered voters will affect little-noticed state legislative races, particularly those in the House, where Democrats cling to a one-seat majority. Read More
Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
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'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
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Governors pitch ambitious programs
Billion-dollar deficits in California, New York and Arizona haven’t stopped governors there and elsewhere from proposing big-ticket items for 2008. Stateline.org looks at proposals from governors’ 2008 "state of the state" speeches and provides an exclusive summary of all the addresses so far.
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Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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