Stateline Headlines

Billions on the Ballot

In November, voters in a number of states will consider ballot measures that, if passed, would have enormous fiscal consequences. Some would raise taxes, others would slash them, and still others would impact state spending in dramatic ways.

Burying Tamerlan Tsarnaev in Virginia

Is Health Care Ruling a Game-Changer?

TODAY'S TAKE: Partisan state politicians either cheered or denounced a federal judge's ruling Monday (December 13) that a key provision of the Obama administration's new health care law is unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Virginia's governor urged his peers to support an idea to fast-track the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, and critics of Massachusetts' broad-based health care program saw a new opportunity to challenge it.

Budget Picture Brightens in New Fiscal Year

TODAY'S TAKE: State revenues are a long way from catching up to where they were before the recession started, but reports out of Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee and Virginia show that they are climbing back.

Lawyer for widow of Marathon bombing suspect aims to help her navigate the system

Oregon Tax Vote Poses Fresh Test for Dems

A week after Massachusetts voters delivered a stunning blow to Democrats' legislative agenda in Washington, D.C., Oregonians on Tuesday (Jan. 26) will decide the fate of Democratic-led efforts to raise taxes on corporations and the wealthy in the state by $727 million.

Massachusetts Ruling Stirs Gay-Union Backlash

Ohio is expected to lead a state government backlash against gay marriages by adopting a law forbidding its agencies to grant marriage-like benefits to same-sex couples. Supporters predict the ground-breaking prohibition will win easy final passage in the Ohio legislature as early as this month.

Infographic: Annual State Lottery Sales

New York led all states in lottery sales in fiscal year 2011. Massachusetts residents spent more per capita than residents of any other state.

Legislative Scorecard: Three States Still Budget-Less

Lawmakers in New York, Massachusetts and Wisconsin have yet to hammer out budgets for the new fiscal year, which has already begun in all three states. New York's budget is four months late, but that's become the norm in Albany. In Massachusetts, Democrats control both houses of the legislature and they still can't reach an agreement. In Wisconsin, lawmakers have left town on summer vacation and no one knows when they'll return. For more information, click on

More Govs Boost Stem Cell Research

As Congress and the Bush administration remain deadlocked over funding for stem cell research, Democratic governors in New York, Massachusetts and Iowa have joined other state leaders in supporting the controversial science.

Govs Start to Back 2008 Candidates

Eleven governors have made endorsements in the 2008 presidential race so far, and the leading beneficiaries of early skirmishing for support from state leaders are Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton and Republican hopeful John McCain.

With New Fiscal Year Looming, Government Shutdowns Unlikely

A year after Minnesota’s three-week shutdown, New Jersey is the state that appears at greatest risk of starting the fiscal year without a budget.

New Jersey First In School Spending

When it comes to per pupil school spending, New Jersey is at the head of the class. The Garden State spent $10,283 per student in 2000, outdoing second-ranked New York by $244, according to a new Census Bureau report on public education.

New Jersey E-ZPass System A Financial Debacle

New Jerseys electronic toll collection system may save motorists time, money and fuel, but lawmakers and transportation authorities are learning that the E-ZPass system will not pay for itself.

New Jersey Learns From Other States On Electric Deregulation

On Aug. 1, New Jersey became one of a handful of states to begin implementing electric utility deregulation. Before opening their borders to competition, officials in the Garden State studied how California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island implemented deregulation, then sought to replicate successful policies and avoid those that bombed.

Higher Health Care Fees for New Jersey's Public Employees

HEALTH BEAT: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie slashes state worker health benefits ... Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley reports that a cost-cutting experiment is not holding down medical costs ... The Arizona Supreme Court refuses to block Medicaid cutbacks, and other health care news.

Labor Offer Keeps New Jersey Tolls From Going Private

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Toll collectors will keep jobs but see pay cut by 24 percent … Massachusetts looks to take health care off the bargaining table … Missouri may auction more than 1,000 acres of state property near prisons, and other management news.

State Choking Laws Signal New Attention to Domestic Violence

Advocates against domestic violence have long warned that the act of choking - a common method of domestic assault - can be among the most reliable predictors that a deadly attack will occur in the future. Hoping to crack down on batterers and prevent murders, New Hampshire and Delaware recently joined other states by increasing penalties for choking. The laws are part of a broader effort in the states to reduce domestic violence.

Disabled Lawmakers Overcome Barriers

At a recent GOP convention near Elbow Lake, Minn., candidates were allowed to speak until the conventions sergeant stood up to signal five minutes were up. Minnesota Rep. Torrey Westrom, who is blind, says, I went on, and looked over toward him, and said, Im going to keep talking until I see you standing up.

Govs' Gaffes Sometimes Overshadow Policies

When Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, recently told a group of high school girls its about time a woman became governor of the Sunshine State, he apparently forgot about Janet Reno, a leading contender for the Florida Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Its not the first time a governor has put a proverbial foot in his or her mouth. And it wont be the last.

Snyder's Detroit Outreach Could Include New Office

TRANSITION WATCH: Michigan's Republican governor looks to strengthen a troubled Democratic city, revolving door rules could trip up a Rhode Island appointment, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

An unsurprising end to Murray’s once-promising political career

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray resigns

Tsarnaev ally killed by FBI agent in Florida

Mass. tries to retain $250 million for hospitals

As crashes mount, city must get serious about bike safety

Mortgage aid in Massachusetts at $610 million

Everett casino developer proposes traffic plan

15 remain in the race for mayor of Boston

Liz loan plan for students  a loony idea

GOP pushes amendments to curb welfare abuse

Poor rail system in Conn. ties up entire Northeast

State fund could aid Marathon bombing victims

Youth jobs program facing deep cuts in Mass.

UMass students push for funding

Audit hits use of funds by Randolph nonprofit

Fire Dept. charges require full, independent reviews

US won’t mirror Mass. on health exchanges

Justice American style

Bay State sheds 1,400 more jobs

Fenway streets: City shouldn’t drop the ball

Note seems to provide clearer picture of suspect’s motives, officials say

Big names coalesce around Charlotte Golar Richie

Casino developers may find easier path in SE Mass.

Gov. Patrick heading home from Ireland trade visit

Bay State small business owners see glass as half full

Shoring up New Bedford’s offshore wind dream

State Senate unveils $33.9b budget

Patrick continues Ireland trade mission

Gov owes Obamacare diagnosi$

Mayoral candidates should back a citywide casino referendum

One Fund gets tax-exempt nonprofit status

$25 million loan aimed at saving homes

Budget debate moves to Mass. Senate

MGM wants July Springfield casino vote

Two candidates want city to vote on Suffolk casino

Alerts raised over Mass. plan to manage student data

Signs show foreclosure to be crisis no longer in Mass.

Cost to guard dead bombing suspect: $47,171

Budget cited for backlog of health checks

Deadline passes with 24 in mayoral field

Brown is first to enter 2014 gubernatorial race

Revenue gain could lead Mass. to restore some cuts

Where district schools falter, state should add more charters

Casino firms face complications in Southeastern Mass.

Proposed budget cuts imperil defense jobs in Mass.

Digging for answers

Hearing on bombings exposes failures in intelligence sharing

Bombing suspect’s body buried outside Mass.

Gov. Patrick to join Ireland trade mission

Boston drops Microsoft for Gmail

Tensions emerge over lack of Tsarnaev information shared between FBI, local authorities

Reform offender laws

Medical pot foes, opponents agree: New rules flawed

Drugs, cash & EBT card: Detective says DTA dropped ball in raid

New limits are required on out-of-control debt collectors

Patrick seeks to ban fee for e-filing taxes

Mass. to require labs to test marijuana for medicinal use

Davis OK with more cameras

Boston Bombings Show Future Use for Police Drones

The manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers has raised fresh questions about the use of domestic drones by law enforcement.

After Boston Bombings, a Failure of Communications

Congress approved $7 billion to build a national public safety broadband network, but making it work will require buy-in from 60,000 public safety agencies. The Boston Marathon bombings gave fresh urgency to the issue.

Balancing State and Federal Roles in Boston Bomber Case

Accused Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was charged with federal crimes of terrorism that carry the potential for a death sentence. Does it matter that Massachusetts doesn’t have the death penalty?

Security Cameras Were Key to Finding Boston Bombers

Will the successful use of video analysis to identify the suspect accused of planting explosives near the finish line of the Boston Marathon spark a new push for more surveillance cameras in American cities?

Mass. Health Connector, Other Innovations Honored

As the Obama administration and Congress debate the details of a national health care plan, the state that paved the way for universal coverage was honored in Washington, D.C.

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2013

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) State of the Commonwealth Address:

Following Outbreak, Massachusetts Seeks Tougher Oversight of Compounding Pharmacies

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has unveiled legislation aiming to plug a regulatory gap that allows compounding pharmacies to operate with little oversight.

Forensic Science Falls Short of Public Image (First of Two Parts)

Many juries depend on lab evidence to make a decision in a criminal trial. They don’t often realize how fragile the crime lab process actually is.

In Massachusetts, Mobilizing Private Investment for Public Good

Massachusetts to tap private investors who want to help pay for money-saving public programs

A New Battleground in 'Right to Die' Debate

Advocates of physician-assisted suicide are taking on entrenched opposition as they seek a high-profile victory in Massachusetts.

Mass. Governor Touts His Own—and Obama’s— Record at Convention

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick used the Democratic National Convention’s primetime spotlight to do more than predictably heap praise on Barack Obama and sling arrows toward Mitt Romney. In an 11-minute speech Tuesday night, Patrick also worked in plenty of kind words for his own administration.

Massachusetts Tackles Health Costs

Controlling health care expenses may be even harder than covering the uninsured. Massachusetts is launching the nation’s broadest effort.

In Massachusetts, No Signature for ‘3-Strikes’

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he won’t sign into law a “3-strikes” bill for criminal sentencing unless judges are granted more flexibility.

Massachusetts Inaugural Address 2011

BOSTON, Mass. - Jan. 6 - Following is the text of Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) 2011 second inaugural address (Massachusetts does not have a state of the state address in years in which a inaugural speech is given): Lt. Governor Murray, Fellow Constitutional Officers and Members of the Governor's Council; Madam Preside

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2010

BOSTON, Mass. - Jan. 21 - Following is the text of Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) 2009 state of the commonwealth address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Madame President - there we go - Mr. Speaker, and all of the Members of t

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2009

BOSTON, Mass. - Jan. 15 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) 2009 state of the commonwealth address: Click here to access the governor's Web page and view or hear the address. Madame President, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the House and Senate, Honorable Members of the Judiciary, Lieute

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2008

BOSTON, Mass. - Jan. 24 - Following is the text of Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) 2008 state of the commonwealth address: Click here to visit the governor's website to view the address. Lieutenant Governor and Constitutional Officers, Madame President, Mr. Speaker and all of the Members of the Legislature, Chief J

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2007

BOSTON, Jan. 4 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Deval L. Patrick's (D) 2007 state of the state address: Mr. President and Members of the Senate; Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives; Lieutenant Governor and Members of the Governor's Council and the Cabinet; Madame Chief Justi

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2006

BOSTON, Mass Jan. 18 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mitt Romney's 2006 State of the Commonwealth address: President Travaglini, Speaker DiMasi, members of the General Court, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: It's an honor to address you this evening. I also want to recognize my partner an

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2005

BOSTON, Massachusetts - Jan. 13 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mitt Romney's (R) 2005 State of the Commonwealth address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the General Court and distinguished guests: Thank you for the role you play in a mission we all share making our Commonwealth strong. Tha