Join the Somerville Arts Council Board Apply by Wednesday, July 15

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville is seeking two new members representing the genres of literature and visual art, including those with experience in public art, to join the Somerville Arts Council Board.

If you’re passionate about literature, visual art, or public art, this is a great opportunity to make an impact.
Continue reading Join the Somerville Arts Council Board Apply by Wednesday, July 15

PROHIBIT RECORDING OR BROADCASTING WHILE DRIVING (H 3748)

By Bob Katzen

A bill that would prohibit an operator of a motor vehicle from recording, broadcasting or otherwise capturing images or video of themselves while driving, is stuck in the Bills in Third Reading Committee. The measure was given initial approval by the House, on a voice vote, without a roll call, on February 26 and has been lingering in committee for more than three months.
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CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO HAMMER OUT A COMPROMISE VERSION OF THE FISCAL 2027 STATE BUDGET

By Bob Katzen

Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) and House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) have named the members of the six-member House-Senate conference committee charged with hammering out a compromise version of the separate fiscal 2027 state budget versions approved by each branch. The price tag of the House version is $63.41 billion while the Senate version logs in at $63.37 billion. There are some major differences between the two chambers which will have to be ironed out by the committee.
Continue reading CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO HAMMER OUT A COMPROMISE VERSION OF THE FISCAL 2027 STATE BUDGET

THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL

By Bob Katzen

“This report confirms what we have been warning about for years, and now multiple reports conclude: Massachusetts is pursuing an energy policy that is both expensive and unreliable. The state is forcing a rapid transition to intermittent power sources without a realistic plan to keep the lights on or control costs. Even under these aggressive mandates, fossil fuels are still required to keep the lights on, and families are left paying more for a system that is less dependable.” Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL

THE BATTLE OVER WHETHER STATE AUDITOR DIANA DIZOLGIO CAN AUDIT THE LEGISLATURE (S 3104)

By Bob Katzen

The latest chapter was written last week about the ongoing saga on whether State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has the right to audit the House and the Senate. In the November 2024 election, voters approved Ballot Question 1 asking them if they favor allowing the state auditor to audit the Legislature. The question passed overwhelmingly by 72 percent of the vote. It has now been almost 19 months since the voters approved the audit but an audit has yet to take place.
Continue reading THE BATTLE OVER WHETHER STATE AUDITOR DIANA DIZOLGIO CAN AUDIT THE LEGISLATURE (S 3104)