Author: Paige Albright
-
Keeping phones out of classrooms
Students in classrooms across the state can expect to see many changes to their use of cellphones and social media based on a Massachusetts House-passed bill designed to strengthen regulations for social media and keep personal electronic devices out of…
-
Positive changes on the horizon for medical prior authorization
Massachusetts boasts some of the longest emergency room wait times in the nation. However, Gov. Maura Healey’s goal of reforming a process requiring prior authorization for some treatments could reduce patient wait times and streamline treatment. This January, Healey directed the Division…
-
How much money would local taxpayers actually save if tax rates were cut?
A ballot initiative proposed for this November’s state election, targeted at cutting personal income tax rates, could drastically reduce the support Beacon Hill provides to cities and towns. If passed by voters, the initiative to cut the tax rate from 5% to…
-
New state literacy legislation could boost test scores; close gap
Massachusetts legislators are working out differences in bills that would bring the state closer to reforming statewide early-literacy education policy to address struggling performance levels. Despite Massachusetts’s high national ranking in education, literacy reform has been a topic of discussion…
-
Ballot is set, preparations continue for March 28 town election
The ballot for this month’s local election has been finalized. Arlington residents will cast votes to fill various seats in Town Meeting, and on two ballot questions, the big-ticket question is a proposed $14.8 million override of the tax override. All but two of the…
-
Changes to MBTA bus routes could mean good news for riders
Changes are coming to two Arlington bus routes on April 5, when the 87 and 350 routes will be streamlined. The changes come from MBTA’s multi-year Better Bus Project, and will bring more service to the town. The project, announced in 2018 and expected to be…
-
Marijuana revenue falling in Arlington as consumers move to delivery services
Marijuana sales broke records statewide this year, but trends in Arlington are headed in the opposite direction. Since legal sales of recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts began in 2018, the industry has generated over $8.6 billion in sales, according to…