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Gov. Baker Vetoes Climate Bill, Citing Housing Concerns in Mass.
Scuttling what looked to be a major session-ending accomplishment for the Massachusetts Legislature, Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday said he would veto ambitious climate legislation over his concerns that key pieces of the bill could stymie housing construction.
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New Mass. Law Bans List of Chemical Flame Retardants in Products
Manufacturers and retailers in Massachusetts will be banned from selling or importing covered products like bedding, furniture, children’s products, window treatments and carpeting that contain 11 flame-retardant chemicals under legislation signed Friday by Gov. Charlie Baker. The new law, which does not apply to inventory manufactured prior to Dec. 31, 2021, was celebrated by supporters who have pushed for its…
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Mass. Awards $67.4M in Grants to Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus Pandemic
The Baker Administration on Thursday announced nearly $68 million in awards to hundreds of small businesses in the second round of grants through Massachusetts’ COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program. The program, administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, will award a total of $67.4 million to 1,366 small businesses, the Baker Administration said. Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker said qualifying…
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Gov. Baker Signs Landmark Mass. Police Reform Bill
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed a revised policing reform bill that was approved by the Legislature last week. The House voted 107-51 and the Senate took a voice vote to re-enact the bill, which has drawn opposition from police but maintained the momentum that grew over the summer out of outrage over police violence toward Black Americans. “This…
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Gov. Charlie Baker Warns Against New Year's Eve Plans Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Those planning to celebrate are asked to do it in small groups, as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
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Mass. Reports 5,655 More COVID-19 Cases, 76 New Deaths
Massachusetts reported 5,655 new confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday and an additional 76 deaths. There have now been 328,307 confirmed cases and 11,706 deaths, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, has slightly decreased to 5.76%, according to the report. The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 has increase to…
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Gov. Baker Expected to Sign Revised Mass. Police Reform Bill After Legislature's OK
The Massachusetts policing reform bill that grabbed Beacon Hill’s attention midway through 2020 is back on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk, awaiting his expected signature. The House voted 107-51 and the Senate took a voice vote to re-enact the bill, which has drawn strong opposition from police but maintained the momentum that grew over the summer out of outrage over...
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More Restrictions to Take Effect in Mass. Saturday
A series of new restrictions aimed at stemming the surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Massachusetts will go into effect on Saturday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday.
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The Four Phases of Massachusetts' Reopening Plan, Explained
Gov. Charlie Baker in May outlined a phased-in approach to gradually restart the Massachusetts economy, which was largely shuttered nearly two months ago as the state ramped up its fight against the coronavirus which has claimed nearly 5,800 lives in the state. Baker said everyone must continue practicing proper hygiene, maintaining social distancing, and using facial coverings in public places…
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What Will Gov. Baker Do With Mass. Policing Reform Bill?
Gov. Charlie Baker has one week, until Friday, Dec. 11, to decide what to do with the 129-policing accountability bill that the Massachusetts Legislature sent him Tuesday night. The bill passed without the support of a single GOP lawmaker — all 35, four in the Senate and 31 in the House, voted against it, as did unenrolled Rep. Susannah Whipps…
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Rapid COVID Testing Will Soon Be Available for Some Mass. School Districts
Increased rapid COVID-19 testing will soon be available for some Massachusetts school districts, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday.
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Baker Likens COVID-19 Transmission to Glitter at Kids' Party
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has been talking publicly about COVID-19 since March, often searching for new ways to express his message. On Friday morning, while speaking at an online executive forum, Baker said someone asked him to explain the transmission situation in a way that’s really easy to understand. The governor said yes, and then asked listeners if they’ve...
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After a 2-Week Hiatus, Hockey is Back in Mass.
After two weeks away from the ice, hockey players across Massachusetts will be able play in indoor rinks again Saturday. In October, ice and roller rinks were shut down for two weeks due to several new clusters that were traced back to hockey games and practices.
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4 People Accused of Trespassing at Baker's Swampscott Home
At least four people were arrested Thursday morning for trespassing outside Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s home in Swampscott calling for all votes to be counted in the election.
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Mass. Restaurant, Entertainment Business Owners Criticize Baker's New COVID Restrictions
Jose Duarte, the chef owner of Boston restaurant Taranta, just couldn’t see the logic in the new restrictions announced by Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday. Among other things, the new executive order mandates that restaurants must stop seating diners at 9:30 p.m., starting this weekend. “What difference does it make between the hours of 9:30 and 11 p.m.? Does COVID…
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J-Law Says Vote Yes on Question 2, but Gov. Baker Disagrees
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito plan to vote against the ballot question that would implement a ranked-choice system for Massachusetts elections, their campaign announced Tuesday. “At a time when we need to be promoting turnout and making it easier for voters to cast their ballots, we worry that question two will add an additional layer of complication…
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Baker Announces COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday announced a massive COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
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Boston Man in Court for Leaving Needles at Gov. Baker's Home
DeRosa has been ordered not to go within 100 yards of Gov. Baker’s house. However, he intends to appeal the decision.
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Mass. Ban on Pandemic Evictions, Foreclosures Ending
The state’s ban on evictions and foreclosures imposed during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic expires on Saturday, leaving many worrying about their housing security. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker this week unveiled a $171 million initiative he said will help tenants and landlords cope. Baker said the goal is to keep tenants in their homes and also ease the…
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‘We're Not Free': Why Juneteenth Feels Different This Year
Black organizers and activists explain the history of Juneteenth in Boston and why this year feels different, after George Floyd’s death and in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.