Local Politics  

 

 

Government

Analyzing the State's New Budget


By Bob Seay
On Beacon Hill, there's legislative pushback on the state's new budget. Soon after Gov. Deval Patrick vetoed funding for the aging Taunton State Hospital, lawmakers lined up calling for an override.
Election 2012

John Tierney Says His Brothers-in-Law Can't Be Trusted


By Adam Reilly
In a lengthy and occasionally combative appearance, the embattled congressman denied relatives' accusations that he knew all about their illegal gambling operation.
People & Profiles

Barney Frank, Ready to Wed


By Jesse Mayfield-Sheehan & The Takeaway
News reports are speculating that the Massachusetts congressman's wedding will take place on July 7. During the lead-up, Frank talked about the stress of wedding planning and how to ruin a good party.
Election 2012

This Week in State Politics: The President and an Eastie Casino


By Sarah Birnbaum
President Barack Obama makes a campaign swing through Boston, a proposed casino in East Boston draws opposition and a film and television studio pushes ahead in Devens. 
Election 2012

Candidates' Democrat History an Issue in GOP Race


By Adam Reilly
Republican U.S. House candidates Sean Bielat and Elizabeth Childs are accusing each other of really being a Democrat — and there's some basis to the claims.
Election 2012

Brown Takes Warren 'Heritage' Issue National


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown is stepping up personal attacks on his Democratic opponent. After leaving the issue mostly to surrogates, he appeared on national television questioning Elizabeth Warren's claims of Native American ancestry.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Politicians Demand Transportation Funding


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts officials, local mayors and advocates rallied at Boston’s South Station for a solution to the state's transportation funding crisis.  
Election 2012

Warren to DeFranco: “Be Part of This Campaign”


By Adam Reilly
A web exclusive: Elizabeth Warren talks to WGBH's Adam Reilly about the next steps for her Senate campaign, and reaches out to vanquished rival Marisa DeFranco.
Election 2012

What Now in the U.S. Senate Race?


By Sarah Birnbaum
U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts has congratulated his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Warren, for winning her party's endorsement and said he wants a debate.
Election 2012

Elizabeth Warren Gets Overwhelming Support at Dems' Convention


By Sarah Birnbaum
Despite predictions that underdog Marisa DeFranco would get on the ballot, nearly 96 percent of the delegates at the state Democratic Convention nominated Warren — a record, and enough to avoid a party primary.
Election 2012

Democrats Gather to Endorse Senate Candidate


By Adam Reilly
As the Democratic nominating convention gets underway in Springfield, everyone's buzzing over whether candidate Marisa DeFranco will get on the fall primary ballot.
Election 2012

Governor Endorses Elizabeth Warren for Senate


By WGBH News
Deval Patrick has thrown his weight behind the Democratic Senate candidate just days before the state party's endorsement convention.
Election 2012

Warren's Democratic Challenger Keeps Going


By Sarah Birnbaum
Her U.S. Senate campaign has little cash and no paid staff. Yet Massachusetts Democrat Marisa DeFranco is on the verge of qualifying for the September primary ballot.
Local Politics

This Week in State Politics: Storms and the Senate


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week in Massachusetts state politics, the casino oversight board meets, officials commemorate the Western Massachusetts tornadoes and Springfield hosts the Democratic state convention.
Government

This Week on Beacon Hill: Love and Money


By Sarah Birnbaum
The budget process moves forward, the Mass. Senate tries to cut health care costs and the state marks 8 years of legal same-sex marriage.
Election 2012

On 'Mr. Mean' and 'Fauxcahontas'


By Sarah Birnbaum
Two different stories hit the news recently about prominent Massachusetts politicians and not-so-flattering incidents from their pasts. They might factor in voter choices. 
Election 2012

Marisa DeFranco Is Not Going Away


DEFRANCO ON GREATER BOSTON
By Anne Mostue & WGBH News
Though she doesn't have the money or the spotlight, immigration lawyer Marisa DeFranco has gathered enough signatures to qualify for a Democratic primary — and says she'll continue to run.
Election 2012

Local Latino Voters Talk About Election 2012


ON THE GROWING LATINO VOTE
By Michelle Figueroa
Latinos have become the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the country — and a pivotal one for Obama and likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential race.
Election 2012

Member of Appointments Board Defends Elizabeth Warren


By Jordan Weinstein
A Harvard Law School professor and former Reagan administration official is calling "false" and "complete nonsense" any suggestion that Elizabeth Warren enjoyed an affirmative action advantage in her hiring as a full professor.
Animals

On the Great Concord Cat War of 2012


By Adam Reilly
At daybreak they gathered (with some difficulty), the freedom-fighters, meowing "don't leash us in!" But their opponents were also fighting for freedom — to keep troublesome cats off their property.
Government

Budget Season on Beacon Hill This Week


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Mass. House of Representatives is considering a $32.3 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Government

Beacon Hill Examines Municipal Unemployment System


By Sarah Birnbaum
City and town leaders pleaded with state lawmakers to fix the municipal unemployment system, saying that questionable claims are draining town budgets.
Election 2012

Senate Candidate Marisa DeFranco


By Jordan Weinstein
The spotlight's on Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown, but there's still another Democrat in the race.
Election 2012

Populism in the Mass. Senate Race


By Adam Reilly
Is Elizabeth Warren an elitist? Is Scott Brown Everyman? The competitors are fighting to be the people's choice.
Government

Proposed Budget at Odds with Governor's Plan


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo unveiled a $32.3 billion state budget that would deal a blow to some of Gov. Deval Patrick's major policy initiatives.
Gambling

Final Two Members Appointed to Gaming Commission


On Tuesday, the governor's office announced the remaining two appointments to the state board that will oversee the new casino industry: retired judge James F. McHugh and City of Springfield administrator Bruce Stebbins.
Election 2012

The State of the Massachusetts Republican


EMILY ROONEY: WHITHER CONSERVATIVES?
By Sarah Birnbaum
Mitt Romney's opponents call him a "Massachusetts moderate." In the week of Super Tuesday, we look at what characterizes the GOP voters who went to the polls.
Government

This Week in State Politics: Super Tuesday Looms


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week in Massachusetts state politics, Sen. John Kerry addresses the Bay State business community, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray continues his tour of military bases and voters head to the polls to choose presidential nominees. 
Government

State Considers Option to Free Terminally Ill Prisoners


By Sarah Birnbaum
A state Legislature hearing turned contentious over a bill that would permit compassionate release of terminally ill inmates.
Government

At the State House, a Budget and a Burial Ground


By Sarah Birnbaum
This week in state politics, the Legislature holds a public hearing on a bill that could pave the way for 800 jobs on the South Shore — on the site of a historic burial ground — and lawmakers discuss part of Gov. Deval Patrick's budget proposal.
Local Politics

How to Take On a Kennedy


JPK3 ENTERS THE RING
THE COMPETITION
By Phillip Martin
Joseph P. Kennedy III is the latest to run from the family whose lingering aura is a political force. We look into WGBH's archives for an answer to the question many have asked: How can you effectively challenge a Kennedy?
Election 2012

Your 4th Congressional Cheat Sheet

By Danielle Dreilinger
Despite the frenzy, JPK3's not the only game in town. There are currently five candidates for the 4th Congressional seat. Here's what they're about.
Local Politics

Mass. Republicans Propose Jobs Plan


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts House and Senate Republicans have a plan they say will create more jobs in the Commonwealth.
Election 2012

Joseph P. Kennedy III on the Campaign Trail


HOW TO BEAT A KENNEDY
THE COMPETITION
By Sarah Birnbaum
Joseph P. Kennedy III announced his candidacy for the 4th Congressional seat this morning. Our commentators think it won't be a coronation.
Local Politics

Why Can't Cambridge Choose a Mayor?


By Jordan Weinstein
Every other year, as regular as the groundhog, Cambridge's City Council experiences gridlock trying to choose a mayor. What gives?
WGBH Local News

Gov. Patrick On Community Colleges, Jobs And Income Inequality


WATCH THE INTERVIEW
Governor Patrick talks on WGBH's "Basic Black" about his vision for unifying community colleges and the impact on people of color.
Communications & Media

Beat The Press: White's Passing Re-Ignites Feud


WATCH
During the Kevin White funeral coverage, WGBH's "Greater Boston" briefly became the news when an argument broke out on-set over a 30-year-old spoiled scoop. Watch some of the footage we didn't air.
WGBH Local News

A Kennedy Life 'Interrupted'


By Toni Waterman
In a new book, JFK Jr.'s former personal assistant shares her memories of the Kennedy heir and his life in New York.
Remembrances

Remembering Mayor Kevin White: The Funeral


COMPLETE WGBH COVERAGE
By Emily Rooney, Jared Bowen & WGBH News
Hear the eulogies and watch interviews with Boston's living political history on the occasion of Kevin White's funeral on Feb. 1.
WGBH Local News

New Bill Would Keep Money Off Beacon Hill During Budget Talks


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce money's influence in state politics — or at least, improve Beacon Hill's Reputation.  
Boston

Kevin White And The Toll Of The Tregor Bill


By Ted Canova
The 1981 political standoff pitted every conceivable stakeholder against one another. There was money, politics, gamesmanship and personalities. In the end, Boston may have won ... but its mayor lost.
Race & Ethnicity

Boston's School Desegregation Era


By Phillip Martin
Civil rights leaders, politicians and residents examine mayor White's role in one of the most tumultuous periods in Boston's history.
WGBH Special Reports

From The WGBH Vault: Trying Times


By WGBH News
Kevin White's tenure as mayor was a time of tumultuous race relations in Boston. These exclusive WGBH videos show key moments when White, who died Friday, tried to negotiate those tensions. 
WGBH Local News

Former Mayor Kevin White Dies At 82

By The Associated Press
Former Boston Mayor Kevin White, who presided over a racially-turbulent decade in the city, dies at 82. 
WGBH Local News

Bipartisan Brown


By Sarah Birnbaum
A new study gives weight to Sen. Scott Brown's claim this election year that he's a political independent. Will it help attract moderate voters come November?
Government

Governor's Budget Puts Emphasis On Education


WGBH NEWS: STATE OF THE STATE
By Sarah Birnbaum
"Education is our calling card around the world," said Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick, introducing a budget proposal that increases state aid to local schools.
WGBH Local News

An Interview With Paul Cellucci


By Emily Rooney
The former governor talks about how he's feeling three years after being diagnosed with ALS. Watch the full interview online now.
State of the Commonwealth

Health Care Costs, Community Colleges Top Governor's Address


By Sarah Birnbaum
We have full text and audio of this year's State of the State, in which Gov. Deval Patrick called for stronger community colleges, lower health care costs and passage of the three-strikes bill.
Election 2012

Ross Opts Not To Run For Congress


WGBH ELECTION CENTRAL
By WGBH News
Boston city councilor Mike Ross has dropped his exploratory committee for the 4th Congressional race, saying Congress is "dysfunctional and broken."
This Week On Beacon Hill

State Of Commonwealth, MBTA Cut Talks Continue


By Sarah Birnbaum
It’s a busy week at the Massachusetts State House, including the state of the state address and the unveiling of Governor Deval Patrick’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2013.
Election 2012

Warren Responds To Brown's 'Rock-Thrower' Slam


WGBH ELECTION CENTRAL
By WGBH News
Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren defended herself in an exclusive interview with WGBH News, saying, "I stand up for what I believe in."
Election 2012

Touting Bipartisanship, Brown Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign


SPOTLIGHT ON THE MASS. SENATE RACE
By Sarah Birnbaum
U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's long-expected re-election run is official.
Election 2012

Spotlight on the 2012 Mass. Senate Race


WGBH ELECTION CENTRAL
By WGBH News
As Sen. Scott Brown officially launches his bid for re-election, WGBH News has coverage of the rally plus new interviews with his Democratic competition: Marisa DeFranco, Jim King and Elizabeth Warren — who responds to Brown's kickoff speech swipe.
Economy

Mass. House Passes Spending Increase for Social Programs


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a $130 million spending bill on Wednesday that will restore some programs cut from this year's budget.
Election 2012

Bielat: Kennedy Hasn't Earned Frontrunner Status


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
Republican Sean Bielat may be tangling with Joseph P. Kennedy III for Congress. Is the Democrat a shoo-in? Bielat told WGBH News, "We wouldn't be having this conversation if his last name weren't Kennedy."
Local Politics

Brown, Warren Not Likely To Prevent Third-Party Ads


By Frannie Carr
It's legally unclear how much control Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren have over third-party groups, even though both say they would like to prevent such groups from airing attack ads.
Election 2012

Marisa DeFranco Says She Can Beat Elizabeth Warren


WGBH ELECTION CENTRAL
By Adam Reilly
No matter that Democratic Senate frontrunner Elizabeth Warren's campaign chest neared $9 million at the end of 2011: immigration lawyer Marisa DeFranco still thinks she can win the nomination.
Government

Violence Victims To Win Time Off

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Massachusetts state senate passed a bill this week that would give victims of domestic violence up to 15 days of unpaid leave from their jobs. 
Local Politics

Grossman On Murray: 'Our Lives... Are An Open Book'


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
In an exclusive WGBH News interview, state treasurer Steven Grossman hinted that Lt. Gov. Tim Murray owes the public more information about his early-November crash.
Health

Lawmakers Debate Proposed Cellphone Ban


WGBH NEWS: SOME QUESTION NTSB PROPOSAL
By Sarah Birnbaum
Should Mass. ban handheld cellphone use behind the wheel? An advocate for the ban shared his family's tragedy at a Jan. 10 State House hearing.
Election 2012

Four Years Later, What's Changed For Romney?


WGBH ELECTION CENTRAL
By Sarah Birnbaum
On the surface, Mitt Romney's 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns look the same: He stresses his business credentials and tries to make the case that he would be the best candidate against Barack Obama. The difference? This time, the polls are predicting a Romney New Hampshire win.
Local Politics

Patrick: 'It's Time We Moved On' From Lt. Gov.'s Crash


WGBH NEWS: THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW
By Danielle Dreilinger
Gov. Deval Patrick is defending Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, who's been dogged by questions following his November car crash.
THIS WEEK ON BEACON HILL

Education Abuse, Sentencing And Fishy Fish


MORE STATE HOUSE COVERAGE BY SARAH BIRNBAUM
By Sarah Birnbaum & Wires
State lawmakers are considering bills on abuses at special education agencies, fraudulent fish labeling, three-strikes sentencing and using cellphones while driving.
Government

What's The Public's Right-To-Know In Lt. Gov. Crash?


WGBH NEWS: LT. GOV.'S CRASH
By Sarah Birnbaum
Mass. Lt. Gov. Tim Murray continues to resist calls to release his cell phone records from the days surrounding his Nov. 2 car crash. It’s his latest effort to limit access to information about the unusual high-speed, pre-dawn crash — and a watchdog group says it could be hard to force more information out.
Energy

Citizens Energy Gets Political With Latest Ad


By Phillip Martin
While Citizens Energy — headed up by former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy — has run ads and public service announcements for years, there’s something different about this one. 
Election 2012

A New Kennedy In Congress?


By Sarah Birnbaum & Charlie Mars
Joseph P. Kennedy III is forming an exploratory committee to consider running in the 4th District. Democratic analyst Warren Tolman thinks he could rise to the challenge.
Local Politics

2012 State House Priorities: Special Ed, Health Care, Budget


MORE STATE HOUSE COVERAGE BY SARAH BIRNBAUM
By Sarah Birnbaum
Senate President Therese Murray said one of the first items on the Senate’s to-do list is a crackdown on the state’s special education collaboratives.
Election 2012

Underdog Again: Brown Faces Tough '12 Contest


LISTEN TO THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SEGMENT
By Will Roseliep
He may hold the Senate seat now, but Scott Brown is facing a stiff challenge from Democratic front-runner Elizabeth Warren.
Local Politics

Questions Remain About Lt. Gov.'s Crash


MORE GREATER BOSTON
READ THE ORIGINAL CRASH REPORT
By Sarah Birnbaum & WGBH News
The newly released black-box data on Lt. Gov. Tim Murray's November car crash may be creating as many questions as it answers.
Election 2012

Mass. Sets Ballot Order For Presidential Primaries


WGBH ELECTION CENTRAL
By WGBH News & Wires
Ron Paul's name will top the ballot for Massachusetts' March 6 GOP presidential primary. Secretary of State William Galvin said that each vote really does matter.
This Week On Beacon Hill

Budgeting, Liquor Sales Under Consideration


MORE NEWS
By Sarah Birnbaum
On Beacon Hill, state senators and representatives remain on their extended holiday break, and Governor Deval Patrick returns from a short jaunt to Europe.
Election 2012

Robinson Drops Bid For Senate


MORE: THE STRATEGY OF SENATE ADS
By Sarah Birnbaum
Newton engineer Herb Robinson is dropping out of the race for the seat currently held by Scott Brown, saying that candidate Elizabeth Warren "has pretty much wrapped up the Democratic race."
Election 2012

The Strategy Behind Early Senate Ads


By Sarah Birnbaum
The onslaught of campaign ads makes most voters dizzy — especially when they appear almost a full year before an election. Are Mass. Senate candidates wasting their money?
Election 2012

Enthusiasm Low Among Some N.H. Voters


By Adam Reilly
This year, the voters in the Republican hotbed of Salem, N.H. seem unexcited about their options for next month's primary.
Gambling

Republican Policymaker To Lead Gaming Commission


MORE WGBH GAMBLING COVERAGE
By Sarah Birnbaum
The state's powerful new gambling board will be a bipartisan affair: Gov. Deval Patrick has named Stephen Crosby, a former Republican Party official, as the chairman.

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