It is all but certain that the annual spending plan will be the most significant piece of legislation of the 193rd General Court of Massachusetts. When compared to Democratic trifectas in that took office in some Midwest states, that record is, at best, modest.
BOSTON—There was no outdoor swearing-in ceremony in the cold. No members received admonitions to stay away. There was a feast in the Great Hall and cake in the Senate reading room at the inaugural festivities of the 193rd General Court that formally installed the House and Senate.
HOLYOKE—Come next week, for the first time in 11 years, Aaron Vega will not represent the Paper City in any elected capacity. Compared to some here, this is a relatively brief period in public life. However, Vega’s arc has encompassed two citywide offices without the
by Adam Bass Correspondent-Intern The Massachusetts Senate voted to override Governor Charlie Baker’s Veto of the Roe Act on Tuesday. The bill will expand abortion access and further codify the right to abortion access in state law. The Senate, voting 32-8 and easily crossing the
Hours after the Massachusetts House of Representatives delivered a rare rebuke to Governor Charlie Baker on abortion rights, news broke that House Speaker Robert DeLeo would retire. The exact circumstances remain hazy, but multiple sources have said retirement chatter has grown throughout the week. He
by Adam Bass Correspondent-Intern Much to the frustration of Democratic Lawmakers and pro-choice organizations, Governor Charlie Baker, rejected a proposal in the commonwealth’s budget bill last Friday that would have allowed the expansion of abortion access in Massachusetts. The proposed amendment was Baker’s second punch
UPDATED 8:49PM: To include Oliveira’s formal declaration for the office. The rush to the exits of the Massachusetts House of Representatives continues. Thomas Petrolati, the influential Ludlow state representative whose rise, fall—and return to semi-respectability—rocked Beacon Hill a decade ago, will not seek reelection. The
NORTHAMPTON—When considering Lindsay Sabadosa and the arc of her life, her election to the State House of Representatives makes perfect sense. She was a political activist before she could vote. Women’s issues and feminism have always been a focus of hers. Even her interests in
NORTHAMPTON—Amid an upheaval in Boston legislative seats, a new delegation took shape here and points north. All three of the Hampshire County-based seats were vacant due to retirements or death. The adjacent 1st Franklin, also picked a new rep along as did the region’s state
UPDATED 5/1/18 2:12PM: To issue a correction and for accuracy. This article inaccurately stated non-Democrats could not join the House Dem caucus. It is, in fact, possible. AMHERST—Two years ago, Ellen Story uncorked 25 years of pent-up Democratic ambition. Hampshire County’s largest community and the