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CommonWealth Beacon
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Politics, ideas, & civic life in MA. CommonWealth Beacon's in-depth coverage is a primary news & information source for policymakers, civic leaders & citizens. www.commonwealthbeacon.org
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ICYMI: Next up on Beacon Hill: House leaders plan closed-door meetings on Healey’s energy affordability bill
Next up on Beacon Hill: House leaders plan closed-door meetings on Healey’s energy affordability bill - CommonWealth Beacon
The political pressure to lower energy prices in the Bay State, home to the third-highest electricity costs in the country and rising gas bills, has intensified and will likely continue to escalate...
buff.ly
January 18, 2026 at 2:50 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
☀️ Good morning, Massachusetts! Here are today's most popular stories:

1. Massachusetts set out to modernize its unemployment insurance system. Then it hit a new low. commonwealthbeacon.org/government/s...
Massachusetts set out to modernize its unemployment insurance system. Then it hit a new low. - CommonWealth Beacon
Massachusetts was the slowest state in issuing initial unemployment payments in the country between June and October.
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 18, 2026 at 11:36 AM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
OPINION: As with all policies, it is important not to make decisions from afar. We must listen to people who are actually impacted.
What ICE is doing is abhorrent. But here's why canceling the state contract to house its detainees might not be the right thing to do. - CommonWealth Beacon
As with all policies, it is important not to make decisions from afar. We must listen to people who are actually impacted.
buff.ly
January 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: Vineyard Wind joins in as second project wins court relief

commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/viney...
Vineyard Wind joins in as second project wins court relief - CommonWealth Beacon
The company claims that the order "will lead to immediate and irreparable harm to the project, and to the communities who will benefit from this critical source of new power for the New England region."
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 17, 2026 at 10:41 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
New in OPINION: What ICE is doing is abhorrent. But here’s why canceling the state contract to house its detainees might not be the right thing to do.

commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/what...
What ICE is doing is abhorrent. But here's why canceling the state contract to house its detainees might not be the right thing to do. - CommonWealth Beacon
As with all policies, it is important not to make decisions from afar. We must listen to people who are actually impacted.
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 17, 2026 at 10:18 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: Prospects shaky for real estate transfer fee
Prospects shaky for real estate transfer fee - CommonWealth Beacon
Supporters of real estate transfer fees, a long-bubbling idea on Beacon Hill that would impose a surcharge on property sales to generate affordable housing funding, are vowing to make another push for...
buff.ly
January 17, 2026 at 2:43 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
☀️ Good morning, Massachusetts! Here are today's most popular stories:

1. Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/heale...
Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount - CommonWealth Beacon
Oil, propane, and natural gas providers would need to gradually cut their emissions each year under the program and buy credits to offset their pollution, costs which in theory could be passed on to...
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 17, 2026 at 11:32 AM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: State recommends vaccine schedule backed by pediatricians’ academy
State recommends vaccine schedule backed by pediatricians' academy - CommonWealth Beacon
The move deviates from changes in vaccine recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control under the direction of the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
buff.ly
January 17, 2026 at 1:32 AM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount
Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount - CommonWealth Beacon
Oil, propane, and natural gas providers would need to gradually cut their emissions each year under the program and buy credits to offset their pollution, costs which in theory could be passed on to...
buff.ly
January 16, 2026 at 10:06 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ENERGY: Next up on Beacon Hill: House leaders plan closed-door meetings on Healey’s energy affordability bill
Next up on Beacon Hill: House leaders plan closed-door meetings on Healey’s energy affordability bill - CommonWealth Beacon
The political pressure to lower energy prices in the Bay State, home to the third-highest electricity costs in the country and rising gas bills, has intensified and will likely continue to escalate...
buff.ly
January 16, 2026 at 4:41 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
NEW: Next up on Beacon Hill: House leaders plan closed-door meetings on Healey’s energy affordability bill

commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/next-...
Next up on Beacon Hill: House leaders plan closed-door meetings on Healey’s energy affordability bill - CommonWealth Beacon
The political pressure to lower energy prices in the Bay State, home to the third-highest electricity costs in the country and rising gas bills, has intensified and will likely continue to escalate...
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:50 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: The state can accelerate the move away from natural gas with one move #OPINION
The state can accelerate the move away from natural gas with one move - CommonWealth Beacon
The Department of Public Utilities faces a choice: proactively lead the next transition, as it did before, or let gas utilities trap customers in a failing system.
buff.ly
January 16, 2026 at 2:08 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: Massachusetts set out to modernize its unemployment insurance system. Then it hit a new low.
Massachusetts set out to modernize its unemployment insurance system. Then it hit a new low. - CommonWealth Beacon
Massachusetts was the slowest state in issuing initial unemployment payments in the country between June and October.
buff.ly
January 16, 2026 at 2:08 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
COURTS: Vineyard Wind joins in as second project wins court relief
Vineyard Wind joins in as second project wins court relief - CommonWealth Beacon
The company claims that the order "will lead to immediate and irreparable harm to the project, and to the communities who will benefit from this critical source of new power for the New England region."
buff.ly
January 16, 2026 at 12:37 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
☀️ Good morning, Massachusetts! Here are today's most popular stories:

1. Massachusetts set out to modernize its unemployment insurance system. Then it hit a new low. commonwealthbeacon.org/government/s...
Massachusetts set out to modernize its unemployment insurance system. Then it hit a new low. - CommonWealth Beacon
Massachusetts was the slowest state in issuing initial unemployment payments in the country between June and October.
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 16, 2026 at 11:37 AM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ECONOMY: Prospects shaky for real estate transfer fee
Prospects shaky for real estate transfer fee - CommonWealth Beacon
Supporters of real estate transfer fees, a long-bubbling idea on Beacon Hill that would impose a surcharge on property sales to generate affordable housing funding, are vowing to make another push for...
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 11:02 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
NEW: Vineyard Wind joins in as second project wins court relief

commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/viney...
Vineyard Wind joins in as second project wins court relief - CommonWealth Beacon
The company claims that the order "will lead to immediate and irreparable harm to the project, and to the communities who will benefit from this critical source of new power for the New England region."
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by CommonWealth Beacon
massbudget.bsky.social
Thanks to Sen. @JulianCyr.bsky.social for calling out the need for new housing revenue in #MA in a recent @CWBeacon.bsky.social article. Meeting our state's housing needs requires ongoing investment from new sources. Read MassBudget's report for further analysis: buff.ly/fcwyiKL
January 15, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by CommonWealth Beacon
bostonlegalaid.bsky.social
GBLS atty: “We remain deeply concerned by the ongoing delays [UI] claimants are facing when attempting to access unemployment insurance benefits.”
January 15, 2026 at 4:40 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
HEALTH: State recommends vaccine schedule backed by pediatricians’ academy
State recommends vaccine schedule backed by pediatricians' academy - CommonWealth Beacon
The move deviates from changes in vaccine recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control under the direction of the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 4:41 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
NEW: Prospects shaky for real estate transfer fee

commonwealthbeacon.org/housing/pros...
Prospects shaky for real estate transfer fee - CommonWealth Beacon
Supporters of real estate transfer fees, a long-bubbling idea on Beacon Hill that would impose a surcharge on property sales to generate affordable housing funding, are vowing to make another push for...
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:43 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ICYMI: Keolis was once on thin ice over commuter rail concerns. Now, it’s a finalist for another lucrative MBTA contract.
Keolis was once on thin ice over commuter rail concerns. Now, it’s a finalist for another lucrative MBTA contract. - CommonWealth Beacon
Better on-time performance and major ridership milestones have boosted the outlook for commuter rail operator Keolis, which early in its tenure faced major scrutiny from Beacon Hill.
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 1:48 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
ENERGY: Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount
Healey administration pushes back clean heat standard to 2028 as affordability concerns mount - CommonWealth Beacon
Oil, propane, and natural gas providers would need to gradually cut their emissions each year under the program and buy credits to offset their pollution, costs which in theory could be passed on to...
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 12:37 PM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
☀️ Good morning, Massachusetts! Here are today's most popular stories:

1. Keolis was once on thin ice over commuter rail concerns. Now, it’s a finalist for another lucrative MBTA contract. commonwealthbeacon.org/transportati...
Keolis was once on thin ice over commuter rail concerns. Now, it’s a finalist for another lucrative MBTA contract. - CommonWealth Beacon
Better on-time performance and major ridership milestones have boosted the outlook for commuter rail operator Keolis, which early in its tenure faced major scrutiny from Beacon Hill.
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:36 AM
cwbeacon.bsky.social
NEW: State recommends vaccine schedule backed by pediatricians’ academy

commonwealthbeacon.org/health/state...
State recommends vaccine schedule backed by pediatricians' academy - CommonWealth Beacon
The move deviates from changes in vaccine recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control under the direction of the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:32 AM