Even though the city is vowing to bring back our veteran monuments to the front lawn of the high school, if any of these particular monuments are missing, destroyed, damaged, scraped or unaccounted for, any information leading to the recovery of them and the prosecution of those involved in any wrongdoing will be much appreciated. All calls will remain anonymous!
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By William Tauro

Condolences to Somerville residents for the five year mystery of the missing Somerville War Memorial Monuments solved! They were dismantled and in some instances unthoughtfully dismantled with a sawsall then transported to an old dusty MBTA storage lot on Inner Belt Road in Somerville in October of 2020.
Continue reading DISPLACED SOMERVILLE WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENTS FOUND CRATED UP AT MBTA STORAGE YARD →

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Billy find out who cleaned out the Homans building before it got demolished. There were a few of the veterans granite pieces in the building. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Some Missing Veteran Monuments Were Being Stored at the Homan‘s Building →

By Bob Katzen

“This year’s tax incentive awardees are advancing scientific innovation, strengthening our economy and improving lives across the globe with groundbreaking work. Their successes are a shining example of why Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in life sciences.” Continue reading This Week’s Quotable Quotes on Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

Would require that every city and town’s tree warden have sufficient training and certification; change the penalty paid to communities for someone who illegally removes shade trees from $500 to the often higher value of actually replacing the tree; and update antiquated laws including the one that fines anyone who damages a tree or plant by driving an animal into it, but does not mention a car or truck because the current law was passed before the popular use of the automobile. Continue reading LOCAL TREE WARDENS (H 2195) →

By Bob Katzen

Would require that every city and town’s tree warden have sufficient training and certification; change the penalty paid to communities for someone who illegally removes shade trees from $500 to the often higher value of actually replacing the tree; and update antiquated laws including the one that fines anyone who damages a tree or plant by driving an animal into it, but does not mention a car or truck because the current law was passed before the popular use of the automobile. Continue reading LOCAL TREE WARDENS (H 2195) →

By Bob Katzen

Would amend current law that imposes up to a 7-year prison sentence and/or $5,000 fine for a first offense of animal cruelty and a 10-year prison sentence and/or $10,000 fine for a second offense. Continue reading RAISE FINES FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY (H 2247) →

By Bob Katzen

Would require mandatory, standardized annual training for new members of key local board in cities and towns including boards of health, conservation commissions, planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. The training programs would be developed in consultation with the Massachusetts Municipal Association and would require all new board and commission members to complete these trainings prior to beginning their service. Continue reading REQUIRE TRAINING OF MEMBERS OF LOCAL CITY AND TOWNS BOARDS (S 1432) →

By Bob Katzen

Would remove the current requirement that the Legislature review and approve of routine home rule petitions, filed in the Legislature by local cities and towns, that have minimal or no statewide impact, such as liquor license increases, charter changes and individual personnel exemptions from the state civil service law. Continue reading EXEMPT LOCAL BILLS FROM REQUIRING THE LEGISLATURE’S APPROVAL (S 1471) →

By Bob Katzen

Another measure before the Judiciary Committee would direct the state’s courts to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that victims of crimes perpetrated by juvenile offenders receive restitution, and that juvenile offenders be required to repair, replace or otherwise make restitution for any damage or loss caused by their crime. Continue reading JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND THEIR VICTIMS (H 1792) →

By Bob Katzen

The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation that would change the current law under which someone who just turned 16-years-old can be prosecuted for statutory rape for having a sexual relationship with someone just under 16.
Continue reading AGE OF CONSENT (S 1104) →

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved measures designating Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 as a sales tax holiday weekend for the Bay State, allowing consumers to buy most products that cost under $2,500 without paying the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax. State law currently calls for a 2-day sales tax holiday every year. This bill simply sets the specific dates. Continue reading SALES TAX HOLIDAY (S 2530 and H 4220) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 39-0, approved an amendment increasing funding for Boys and Girls Clubs by $800,000 (from $2.2 million to $3 million.) Continue reading $800,000 FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS (S 3) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would establish a Scientific Research Fund to provide research grants in the fields of science, medicine, public health, mental health and other biological or behavioral areas.
Continue reading SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (S 3) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 40-0, approved an amendment that would commission a series of studies by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to explore new tools to jumpstart stalled housing projects. Continue reading HOUSING PRODUCTION (S 3) →