Politics
Politics
Hart stepping down from Senate on Friday, leaving for law firm
Jan. 28, 2013
Sen. Jack HartState Sen. Jack Hart (D-South Boston) is stepping down from his seat this week and joining a law firm, sources tell the Reporter. Hart confirmed the news on Monday night, saying he will submit a letter of intent to resign on Tuesday, with his last day in the state Senate set for Friday.
Hart, who has served as the Senate's assistant majority leader, has held the First Suffolk District seat since 2002, representing South Boston, Dorchester and Mattapan.
"It’s been an honor and the thrill of a lifetime, truly, to serve in the Senate over the past 11 years," Hart told the Reporter. Read more
Mass. voters will be asked to elect next U.S. senator June 25
Jan. 28, 2013
The special election to fill John Kerry’s seat in the U.S. Senate will be in late June, after most schools have let out for the summer and vacation season begins to heat up, Secretary of State William Galvin said on Monday. Gov. Deval Patrick plans to appoint an interim senator on Wednesday. Read more
Heading into union offices, Lynch says 'final decision' on Senate race after Kerry confirmation
Jan. 25, 2013
Congressman Stephen Lynch said Friday that a “final decision” on a U.S. Senate run will come soon, despite multiple reports that cited sources saying the South Boston Democrat will jump into the race next week. U.S. Sen. John Kerry will likely be confirmed next week as Secretary of State. Read more
(UPDATED) Reports say Lynch to join race to replace Sen. Kerry, Lynch disagrees
By
Congressman Stephen Lynch is expected to make official next week what has been widely apparent: He's running in the Senate special election slated for later this year, though he told the Boston Herald Friday afternoon that he remains undecided. Read more
Kerry: 'It matters that we get it right for the world'
Jan. 24, 2013
Senator John Kerry made the following remarks this morning in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which met today to consider his nomination to be United States Secretary of State. Read more
(UPDATED) Tompkins appointed Suffolk County sheriff
By
Andrea Cabral’s chief of external relations will take over as Suffolk County sheriff, a source tells the Reporter. With Cabral signing on as Gov. Deval Patrick’s public safety secretary, Steven Tompkins will succeed her.
The State House News Service reported on Tuesday that Patrick will swear in Tompkins later today. A source with knowledge of the appointment confirmed the news to the Reporter. Read more
On WBZ, Menino talks fundraising and another term inside City Hall
By
Mayor Thomas Menino says he still has an appetite for another four year term.
“No, my appetite is not less,” Menino told WBZ-TV’s Jon Keller in a sit-down at the city-owned Parkman House on Beacon Hill, where Menino is recuperating after lengthy hospital stays. “Just that I was – I can’t raise money from a hospital bed. I was in the hospital from October to January, so I wasn’t able to raise any money.” Read more
Lt. Gov. Murray will not run for governor in 2014
Jan. 18, 2013
Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, after spending the last 15 years in local and statewide public office, will not run for governor in 2014, citing the time commitment that would be required to juggle his current job, a full-time campaign, and his responsibilities to his family. Read more
(UPDATED) Yancey gets tourism committee as Jackson chairs new committee on technology
By
City Councillor Charles Yancey was given the chairmanship of a committee usually reserved for rookies and City Councillor Tito Jackson was tapped for a new committee focused on technology, according to committee assignments for 2013. Read more
City’s bid to restore ‘Pit Bull’ ordinance isn’t fair, sensible
Jan. 16, 2013
Charlie Ashmont: Author's longtime pet has been enforcement target in Boston before based on his pit bull-like appearance. Photo by Joyce LinehanThe country looks to Massachusetts’ recently-passed animal control law as a model. Unfortunately, Councilor Consalvo and a few Boston officials, ignoring facts offered by animal experts, want to repeal portions of this new law that will improve public safety.
Legislation will soon be filed to once again allow ordinances based on dog breed. Boston’s 2004 Pit Bull Ordinance, nullified by a new state law, was at best ineffective and at worst harmful, avoiding meaningful attempts to address dangerous dogs in our communities.
My dog is probably a pit bull. That I say “probably” is indicative of a problem of identification in breed-specific legislation. I have a DNA test that says he is something else, but under the now-defunct Boston Pit Bull Ordinance, if a police or animal control officer thought perhaps he looked like one, he could have been seized from me, or I could be fined if I walked him without a muzzle. In addition, I paid much higher licensing fees than anyone with a dog not deemed pit bull and had my privacy invaded with a requirement that I file a photo of myself to obtain a dog license. Read more
