Local Politics - News & Opinion - BostonHerald.com

Monday morning briefing

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:53:38 -0400

Transportation could emerge as one of the key topics this week, as several events dealing with the state's troubled agencies dominate the schedule. The National Transportation...

Soon, crime may not pay in Bay State

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:51:54 -0400

Boston's most notorious hired gun John Martorano admitted to murdering 20 people in three states and spent just 12 years behind bars in exchange for being a witness against...

Pols re-verse the trend

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:45:11 -0400

There seems to be no rhyme or reason for it, but Massachusetts, which gifted the world the souls of Emily Dickinson and Ralph Waldo Emerson, does not have a state poet laureate. ...

No whey: Cheeseman's North End shop nears expiration date

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:37:55 -0400

The most popular cheese in the North End right now? Blue! Fresh Cheese, the gourmet fromagerie and reputed former headquarters of ex-Boston Mafia godfather Carmen "The...

'Bathroom bill' hearing tomorrow

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:30:53 -0400

A public hearing will be held tomorrow on a controversial state bill that would ban discrimination based on transgender status. The bill would add "gender identity...

Animals in the clear

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:18:14 -0400

Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday commuted the death sentences hanging over hundreds of exotic animals at the Franklin Park and Stone zoos, promising no creature will be killed...

Print complaint creates sticky situation for brothers

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:12:15 -0400

LAWRENCE - The whistle-blower who first complained to authorities that a city-owned printing press was being used to churn out political brochures said yesterday that he had...

Pike toll suit adds $100M to its case

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:10:09 -0400

A $100 million state legislative bailout of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority was supposed to make possible a reduction in tolls - but there's been no talk of fulfilling...

Perilous pooch bill may go to the dogs

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:01:17 -0400

The creation of a statewide registry of dangerous dogs is among a litter of competing animal control proposals that Beacon Hill lawmakers are poised to chew over tomorrow. ...

Mass. lawmakers weigh creating poet laureate post

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:03:07 -0400

Massachusetts can claim its share of poet heavyweights, from Emily Dickinson to Robert Frost. One thing the state can't boast of is its own poet laureate. Massachusetts...

Therese Murray doesn't (heart) Deval Patrick

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:45:44 -0400

The frosty relationship between Senate President Therese Murray and Gov. Deval Patrick reared its head again this week with the announcement of Republican Charlie Baker's...

Barbecue celebrates mayor's tenure

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:27:35 -0400

Today is a watershed moment in Boston as Mayor Thomas M. Menino marks being in office for 16 years, the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Menino will...

New bill targets repeat dangerous offenders

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:42:59 -0400

Lawmakers will consider a new bill named in memory of a teacher who was murdered a decade ago after her car broke down and she accepted a ride from a stranger. The Legislature's...

Dem fundraiser soon may be ambassador

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:52:41 -0400

Massachusetts Democratic fund-raiser Alan Solomont, who helped raise $800,000 for President Obama, is close to being tapped for an ambassador's post to Spain, several...

Robert DeLeo barters to get racinos

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:09:35 -0400

In one of his first power plays, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said yesterday he wouldn't even consider legalizing resort casinos unless slots are allowed at racetracks...

CT seeks stimulus money for high-speed rail to MA

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:35:46 -0400

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell says her state has applied for a share of $8 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail projects as it works to link New...

Obama delivers letter to pope from Sen. Kennedy

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:52:55 -0400

VATICAN CITY - President Barack Obama has given Pope Benedict XVI a personal letter from ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy. White House national security aide Denis McDonough...

Michael Flaherty to city workers: Take the T

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:04:53 -0400

Mayoral candidate Michael Flaherty has a message for city workers using official municipal vehicles: "Take the T." The Boston city councilor wants the city...

Higher ed retirees make out on kisses

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:36:22 -0400

Nearly a quarter of state retirees who rushed to cash in on their pensions by June 30 before new legislation slammed shut several retirement loopholes worked in higher education,...

Patrick campaign chief defends sales tax hike

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:25:58 -0400

The head of Gov. Deval Patrick's campaign committee is defending his decision to sign a sales tax increase. Charlotte Golar Richie told supporters in an e-mail today...

Taxes take center stage in gov battle

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:37:35 -0400

It's back to the future, as GOP hopeful Charles Baker looks to morph Gov. Deval Patrick into tax-and-spend liberal Mike Dukakis while casting himself as the second coming...

Who's in the ring

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:58:47 -0400

Here's a glimpse of the candidates: The race is on - here's a look at the field: * Gov. Deval Patrick, Democrat Former...

2010 may be 'real year of change'

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:41:32 -0400

The premature pop of the starter's pistol in the 2010 race for governor has rattled summering pols amid Beacon Hill buzz the campaign season could bring an unprecedented...

Expert: Big Dig may detour Charles Baker

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:55:54 -0400

Harvard Pilgrim CEO Charles Baker may be the great gubernatorial hope among Republican insiders, but as Gov. Bill Weld's one-time budget chief, he faces a tough road...

When one door closes...

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:51:05 -0400

The mid-summer start of the race for governor may be just the beginning of a high-stakes struggle that could dramatically reshape the state's political power structure...