Tax fairness on the agenda
The Massachusetts Legislature prepared this week to repeal the new “tech tax” and Gov. Deval L. Patrick has already signaled he’ll go along with the plan mostly pushed by the…
Two strong candidates for Governor
Two of the biggest names in Massachusetts politics recently entered the contest for governor and one looks like he’s learned from a previous race he lost. The other still needs…
Region’s influence in state government and politics to grow
Western Massachusetts is poised to have considerably more influence in state government and politics in the coming months. State Sen. Stanley Rosenberg, a Democrat from Amherst, announced in late July…
Berkshire lawyer’s dogged pursuit for judgeship is unprecedented
Michael J. McCarthy is not taking no for an answer. McCarthy, a Pittsfield attorney and former city solicitor and assistant district attorney, has twice been rejected by the Governor’s Council…
Berkshire County and Adams Retirement Systems score well
Public employees in two local retirement systems should feel pretty good about their pensions according to a recent report by the Pioneer Institute, a Boston-based research firm. Pioneer has recently…
Archaic laws should be repealed
The title of the law alone is enough to make you pause. The heading reads “Crimes Against Chastity, Morality, Decency and Good Order,” and it covers scores of crimes. Penalties…
The Markey-Gomez race by the numbers
It’s a week after Cong. Edward M. Markey defeated businessman Gabriel E. Gomez to succeed former Sen. John F. Kerry and a good time to examine the pre-election polls and…
State party platforms a study in contrasts
The Massachusetts Democratic Party will hold its issues convention in a couple of weeks, and now’s a good opportunity to compare its platform with the platform currently endorsed by state…
Recalling former Gov. Paul Cellucci
Massachusetts lost a decent and respected public servant last week with the passing of former Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci. He was 65 and had been suffering from A.L.S., better known as…
Scandals may influence U.S. Senate race
Sometimes important national events overtake more parochial affairs in state elections, and this may be happening in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate special election. The race between Democratic Cong. Edward Markey…