Boston area’s troubled public transit agency gets a new boss
March 27, 2023 GMTPhillip Eng, an engineer with decades of experience running public transit systems, has been named the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Boston area’s troubled public transit agency, Gov.
Massachusetts governor seeks to extend free school meals
March 17, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A pilot program in Massachusetts offering universal school meals would be extended through the end of the 2023-2024 school year as part of a supplemental budget proposal filed Friday by Gov.
Massachusetts governor eyes statewide missing people unit
March 15, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A new unit to help police improve coordination in handling missing and unidentified people cases has been proposed by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey amid an ongoing search for a missing immigrant woman whose case advocates say demonstrates a lack of urgency on the part of investigators.
Gov. Healey: COVID-19 public health emergency to end May 11
March 15, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced Wednesday that the state's COVID-19 public health emergency will end May 11.
The announcement comes ahead of the 45-day notice required by state law, allowing additional time for organizations affected by the change to prepare for the end of the public health emergency, Healey said.
Massachusetts governor wants fare cuts for low income riders
March 7, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is taking her first steps toward fulfilling a campaign pledge to create discounted fares for low-income riders who rely on public transportation.
Massachusetts governor unveils proposed $55.5B state budget
March 1, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey unveiled a proposed $55.5 billion state budget on Wednesday — a plan that would increase spending by more than 4% over the current fiscal year while offering insights into the Democrat's priorities during her first year in office.
Massachusetts governor budgets for free community college
March 1, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is unveiling her first state budget proposal Wednesday, a spending plan that could offer insight into the Democrat's priorities during her first year as the state's chief executive.
Massachusetts governor unveils $742 million tax relief plan
February 27, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Gov. Maura Healey unveiled a sweeping $742 million tax relief proposal Monday that she said would provide savings for families, renters, seniors, farmers, commuters and others.
The measures, which Healey announced during a visit to a YMCA in Lynn, also include proposed changes to the tax code that she said will bring Massachusetts in line with other states, making it a more attractive place to live, work and do business.
Black empowerment council to advise Massachusetts governor
February 27, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order Monday creating a new panel tasked with advising the administration on ways to help support empowerment efforts in the state's Black community.
John Olver, former Democratic US representative, dies at 86
February 25, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. John Olver, a Democrat who represented western Massachusetts communities for more than two decades in Congress, has died. He was 86.
Olver served in both the Massachusetts House and Senate before winning a 1991 special election for the Congressional seat left vacant by the death of Republican Rep.
New veterans secretary named following deadly 2020 outbreak
February 17, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Friday announced that she is appointing Democratic state Rep. Jon Santiago to serve as the state’s first Cabinet-level veterans' secretary.
Massachusetts bill would boost spending on emergency housing
January 31, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey unveiled a $282 million supplemental spending plan Monday that includes $85 million to help pay for the state's emergency assistance program and other services for eligible families in need of shelter.
On first day, Massachusetts Gov. Healey names climate chief
January 6, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey marked her first full day on the job Friday by issuing an executive order creating what she says is the nation’s first cabinet-level state climate chief.
First woman elected Massachusetts governor sworn in
January 5, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Maura Healey, the first woman and first open member of the LGBTQ community to be elected governor of Massachusetts, was sworn into office at the Statehouse Thursday, pledging to lead “with empathy and with equity.”
Massachusetts GOP Gov. Baker marks final full day in office
January 4, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker engaged in a series of traditional ceremonies during his last full day as governor on Wednesday, marking the transition of power in the top office on Beacon Hill from Republican to Democratic hands.
Massachusetts elected officials to see pay hike in new year
December 30, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers will see their pay jump in the new year, as will statewide officeholders including the incoming governor.
Minimum wage workers will also see a modest increase.
State sues company that failed to return N95 mask money
December 6, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts attorney general's office has sued a company it alleges failed to reimburse the state nearly $3.5 million for hundreds of thousands of N95 masks it failed to deliver as promised early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Record 12 women to serve as governors, with notable firsts
November 15, 2022 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A record 12 women will take their seats as their state's highest-ranking elected officials when the nation's governors are sworn in this winter.
The number tops the high mark set in 2004 of nine, with The Associated Press' calling the Arizona governor's election for Democrat Katie Hobbs on Monday, as well as Democrat Maura Healey in Massachusetts and Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas winning last week's elections.
Why AP called the Oregon governor race for Tina Kotek
November 11, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — There were no signs that Republican Christina Drazan was improving on her vote totals over recent days that would have enabled her to overtake Democrat Tina Kotek in the Oregon governor's race.
Democrat Tina Kotek wins Oregon governor’s race
November 11, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Tina Kotek has been elected Oregon’s next governor, extending longtime Democratic control of the state and dashing Republican hopes for a rare win in a top race on the West Coast of the United States.
Massachusetts Gov. Baker pledges smooth transition of power
November 9, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Hours after she was elected governor of Massachusetts, Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey met with Republican Gov. Charlie Baker at the Statehouse to discuss the upcoming transfer of power.
In Maryland, Moore elected as state’s first Black governor
November 9, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Democrat Wes Moore was elected Maryland’s first Black governor Tuesday, defeating Republican Dan Cox in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1.
Moore’s victory flips a governor’s office from Republican to Democratic.
Massachusetts’ Healey is 1st lesbian elected governor in US
November 9, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey has been elected governor of Massachusetts, making history as the nation's first openly lesbian governor.
Andrea Campbell elected Massachusetts attorney general
November 9, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Democrat Andrea Campbell has become the first Black woman in Massachusetts history to be elected attorney general.
The former Boston city councilor, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year, defeated Republican candidate and trial attorney Jay McMahon.
Amid wave of opposition, some LGBTQ candidates eye epic wins
October 26, 2022 GMTFor LGBTQ activists, the home stretch of the midterm election campaign is a good news, bad news phenomenon.
A record number of LGBTQ candidates are running for office, according to newly compiled data, and some breakthrough victories are likely.
Groups sue to put super PAC question on 2024 state ballot
October 24, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Groups pushing for a 2024 ballot question aimed at reining in the spending power of super PACs filed two lawsuits in Massachusetts on Monday that target a decision by the state attorney general's office to block the question on the grounds that it would infringe on First Amendment rights.