Gov. Maura Healey said an attempt by Texas Republicans to redraw local U.S. House maps to increase the number of Republicans in Congress is a “partisan, craven political power grab” that affects people in Massachusetts because of the impact it could have on federal legislation.
Politics
Devenscrest Village gets state support in housing battle
In a win for affordable housing advocates and tenants of Devenscrest Village in Ayer, the Devenscrest Tenants Association, housing advocate Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and state housing officials announced that a new buyer will keep families in their homes with rents they can afford.
Gov. Healey offers plan to offset federal research grant cuts
The Bay State will attempt to bridge the economic divide caused by the federal government’s sudden seeming aversion to paying for scientific research with research funding of its own.
Mass. Democrats argue public school cell phone ban will improve students’ mental health
The highest ranking Democrat in the Mass. Senate said a proposal that would largely ban the use of cell phones in public school classrooms addresses the “greatest distraction device ever created.”
Top Dems propose $20 raise over two years to resolve lawyer work stoppage
Top Democrats announced a deal to increase the wages of private attorneys working the legal cases of people who are unable to afford representation, but the rate is far lower than what some lawyers have been pushing.
Bay State regulators approve draft pot cafe rules
Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins said that he cannot thank the Cannabis Control Commission’s staff and his fellow commissioners enough for getting the state past this “milestone” but reiterated that it’s the “first step in the process.”
