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Massachusetts higher ed board reaching for more investments
12-05-2024 5:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

Following two years of significantly increased funding for public higher education resulting in a tripling of state-offered financial aid and making community colleges free, the Board of Higher Education wants to keep its foot on the gas next year for...

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Governor's Council certifies electors for U.S. President
12-02-2024 4:14 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – The Governor’s Council on Wednesday certified the results of Massachusetts’s electors for the U.S. offices of president, vice president, and U.S. senator and representative.All 50 states had to certify their votes in the federal election and...


Ed board chair: Lawsuit anticipated in wake of MCAS vote
12-01-2024 2:01 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — The head of the state’s K-12 education board expects the state will be sued for failing to assure there’s adequate and equitable learning taking place in schools, after voters overwhelmingly supported a new law this November that got rid of...


Massachusetts high court rules in family shelter placement case
11-24-2024 4:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

The state’s emergency assistance shelter system cannot insist that families provide third-party verification of certain information – like proof of their family ties or whether at least one of them is a Massachusetts resident – before immediately...


Insiders weigh replacement standard after MCAS vote
11-15-2024 3:57 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

After voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots to eliminate the requirement that high school students pass the MCAS exam in order to receive a diploma, the question of whether the state will pursue a new statewide standard in the exams’ place – and...


Galvin expects record turnout
11-04-2024 3:32 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

The state’s top elections official anticipates record voter turnout in Massachusetts this November, exceeding the almost 3.7 million voters who went to the polls in 2020.“We have 1.7 [million] almost having already been returned, we expect more votes...


UMass streamlines ‘free’ message to working families
11-03-2024 12:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — The University of Massachusetts is simplifying its message for prospective in-state students and their families: If you make under $75,000, you can come to any one of the system’s campuses for free.There’s been a surge in state funding for...


Commission faces year-end deadline for anti-poverty agenda
10-01-2024 5:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

In a state where over 10% of the population lives in poverty, activists, public officials and members of the public have now pitched solutions to the problem to the lawmakers tasked with coming up with solutions.A legislative commission charged with...


MCAS debate colors school accountability system review
09-25-2024 3:47 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

As scores on statewide standardized tests rolled in Tuesday, revealing that students are still struggling from pandemic-related learning losses, education officials contemplated an overhaul of the state’s accountability system – against the backdrop...


‘Literacy launch’ aims to grows ranks of early readers
09-23-2024 2:34 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

Kids in Massachusetts, and nationwide, are behind on reading.In her State of the Commonwealth address at the beginning of this year, Gov. Maura Healey proposed a $30 million investment over five years to boost early literacy efforts.“Every child in...


Shelter panel presents challenge for Driscoll
09-18-2024 5:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — A commission tasked with considering the structure and sustainability of the state’s beleaguered emergency family shelter system is up against a quickly approaching deadline, with still broad disagreement amongst its members about what...


Lawmakers return slimmed-down spring supp to Healey
09-15-2024 5:05 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

Six months later and $180 million lighter, lawmakers on Thursday returned to Gov. Maura Healey a spending bill that ratifies 38 collective bargaining agreements for state employees and approves millions in last-chance spending of federal pandemic...


Report flags mobility, costs as threats to Mass. competitiveness
09-11-2024 3:24 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

As business leaders and Beacon Hill officials have focused more on competing with other states to keep residents in Massachusetts, a new report says that domestic outmigration may be threatening one of its key advantages.Among the state’s greatest...


Tufts Center report examines Question 2 and MCAS requirement
09-08-2024 4:01 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

Students with cognitive disabilities and English language learners could stand to benefit the most from a ballot initiative that would “greatly diminish the state’s role as a gatekeeper to high school graduation,” and lower the stakes of statewide...


Healey answers questions about AG speculation
09-05-2024 4:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

After speculation surfaced on a national TV show last weekend, Gov. Maura Healey resolutely denied having any interest in serving as attorney general under a potential future President Kamala Harris administration.Healey has been actively promoting...


Report: Legalization didn't undercut illegal sports betting in Massachusetts
09-04-2024 3:23 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – In the first year after sports betting was legalized in Massachusetts, the state made inroads but didn’t substantially redirect much of the revenue from illegal sports wagering into its coffers, according to new research from the University...


Housing advocates: New law ‘watered down’
08-07-2024 10:42 AM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — As Gov. Maura Healey and lawmakers celebrated what they called “historic” housing legislation getting signed into law Tuesday, some of the advocates credited with influencing the bill say it is “underwhelming” and watered down, with a number...


PFAS bill to address firefighter turnout gear ruled ‘beyond the scope’ of health care bill
07-24-2024 5:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON – Top Senate Democrats ruled that policies with majority support meant to target the toxic and cancer-causing chemicals known as PFAS were outside the scope of a major health care bill that the chamber passed last week, before making a...


Clean energy bill passes clears House with GOP opposition
07-19-2024 2:54 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — The Massachusetts House was split along party lines Wednesday night in voting to support climate and energy legislation that would “help accelerate the green transition,” according to the bill’s lead architect. “The bill before you continues...


Mass Senate to bring forward $2.8 billion economic development bill
07-09-2024 5:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

The Senate will dig into a massive economic development package Thursday after top Democrats on Monday morning released their own vision for how Massachusetts should pursue job and economic growth opportunities.The Senate’s bill (S 2856) authorizes...


Wheelchair users look to House for relief
07-04-2024 6:00 PM

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Leyla Connolly’s battery-powered wheelchair has been broken for over a year. As she waits for it to be fixed, she is consigned to her Dorchester apartment, where she feels trapped without a safe way to leave to get groceries, go to doctor’s...

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