Tracy O’Connell Novick
@tracynovick.bsky.social
Yes, that Tracy Novick
she/her/hers
Education policy and finance
I speak here only for me/ nullius in verba
from the Heart of the Commonwealth
Sometimes random photos of the cat
linktr.ee/TracyNovick
she/her/hers
Education policy and finance
I speak here only for me/ nullius in verba
from the Heart of the Commonwealth
Sometimes random photos of the cat
linktr.ee/TracyNovick
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
no foreign foe has ever dreamed of being able to sack and pillaging this country the way Trump admin and its congressional and scotus enablers do every day.
A leading American research lab is slated to lose its critical supercomputing facility, according to a letter released by the National Science Foundation.https://cnn.it/3MoF7zU
February 14, 2026 at 3:43 AM
no foreign foe has ever dreamed of being able to sack and pillaging this country the way Trump admin and its congressional and scotus enablers do every day.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Bob Kuttner has some news here: Democrats offered to fund all of DHS except ICE and CBP, while negotiations continued on reforms. Republicans rejected that.
prospect.org/2026/02/13/i...
prospect.org/2026/02/13/i...
Isolating ICE - The American Prospect
Democrats offered a way out of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, but Republicans refused to play. What now?
prospect.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Bob Kuttner has some news here: Democrats offered to fund all of DHS except ICE and CBP, while negotiations continued on reforms. Republicans rejected that.
prospect.org/2026/02/13/i...
prospect.org/2026/02/13/i...
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
ICYMI: I introduced my Trans Bill of Rights with @markey.senate.gov — legislation to defend trans people across this country as Republicans continue to push anti-trans rhetoric and bills.
To our beloved trans community: We see you, we love you, and we will always stand with you.
To our beloved trans community: We see you, we love you, and we will always stand with you.
February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
ICYMI: I introduced my Trans Bill of Rights with @markey.senate.gov — legislation to defend trans people across this country as Republicans continue to push anti-trans rhetoric and bills.
To our beloved trans community: We see you, we love you, and we will always stand with you.
To our beloved trans community: We see you, we love you, and we will always stand with you.
One could have a great class discussing how the first statement here is not automatically the case.
Bet it even meets a few of the state ed standards.
Bet it even meets a few of the state ed standards.
Government should embrace new technology – safely and securely – to make life easier for our families and businesses.
For more information on our AI assistant, visit Mass.gov/AI.
For more information on our AI assistant, visit Mass.gov/AI.
Mass.gov
February 14, 2026 at 2:43 AM
One could have a great class discussing how the first statement here is not automatically the case.
Bet it even meets a few of the state ed standards.
Bet it even meets a few of the state ed standards.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Fellow #Massachusetts journalists: From now on, if you receive a written statement from an executive branch official or spokesperson, please ask them to disclose whether they used ChatGPT to produce it and share their answer, or lack thereof, in your story.
#mapoli
#mapoli
“[Sam] Altman appeared via video to help [Governor Maura] Healey announce that #Massachusetts will be the first state to roll out OpenAI’s ChatGPT software to all 40,000 employees of the executive branch of government.”
#mapoli
#mapoli
At launch event for new AI council, Gov. Healy says state employees will get access to ChatGPT
Gov. Maura Healey announced the three-year, $4.3 million annual deal with OpenAI at a Thursday event launching the Massachusetts AI Coalition.
www.masslive.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Fellow #Massachusetts journalists: From now on, if you receive a written statement from an executive branch official or spokesperson, please ask them to disclose whether they used ChatGPT to produce it and share their answer, or lack thereof, in your story.
#mapoli
#mapoli
Logan Airport. Again.
Immigrant whom #ICE grabbed and shipped to the Dominican Republic is allowed to return - and is promptly grabbed again at Logan
www.universalhub.com/2026/immigra...
#Boston #immigrants #lawsuits
www.universalhub.com/2026/immigra...
#Boston #immigrants #lawsuits
February 13, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Logan Airport. Again.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
What state is getting into with new #OpenAI contract: OpenAI has deleted the word ‘safely' from its mission - and its new structure is a test for whether AI serves society or shareholders
www.universalhub.com/2026/what-st...
#Massachusetts #AI
www.universalhub.com/2026/what-st...
#Massachusetts #AI
February 13, 2026 at 5:09 PM
What state is getting into with new #OpenAI contract: OpenAI has deleted the word ‘safely' from its mission - and its new structure is a test for whether AI serves society or shareholders
www.universalhub.com/2026/what-st...
#Massachusetts #AI
www.universalhub.com/2026/what-st...
#Massachusetts #AI
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
This elitist view that only rich/Ivy/private school kids should study/have access the liberal arts is so deeply ingrained in so many highly educated Democrats’ views (including tons who majored in the lib arts themselves) that they don’t even realize they hold it, let alone how ugly & elitist it is
(3) But the Democrat view is also bad: while it's fine for people at Princeton and Harvard to study Latin and Sanskrit, public higher education is about job training and $ ROI. There is no room for the idea that curiosity-driven inquiry is a good that should be supported by the public.
February 13, 2026 at 3:54 PM
This elitist view that only rich/Ivy/private school kids should study/have access the liberal arts is so deeply ingrained in so many highly educated Democrats’ views (including tons who majored in the lib arts themselves) that they don’t even realize they hold it, let alone how ugly & elitist it is
#MAEdu, it is time for the annual update of my foundation budget slides.
As such, please choose one of the following combos (by number):
1. Westport and Oxford
2. Greenfield and Seekonk
3. Clinton and Dedham
4. Dartmouth and Southbridge
5. Randolph and North Andover
6. Marlboro and Lexington
As such, please choose one of the following combos (by number):
1. Westport and Oxford
2. Greenfield and Seekonk
3. Clinton and Dedham
4. Dartmouth and Southbridge
5. Randolph and North Andover
6. Marlboro and Lexington
February 13, 2026 at 7:34 PM
#MAEdu, it is time for the annual update of my foundation budget slides.
As such, please choose one of the following combos (by number):
1. Westport and Oxford
2. Greenfield and Seekonk
3. Clinton and Dedham
4. Dartmouth and Southbridge
5. Randolph and North Andover
6. Marlboro and Lexington
As such, please choose one of the following combos (by number):
1. Westport and Oxford
2. Greenfield and Seekonk
3. Clinton and Dedham
4. Dartmouth and Southbridge
5. Randolph and North Andover
6. Marlboro and Lexington
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Anyway I put some other “give some love” links here, if that is of interest:
who-cester.blogspot.com/2026/02/lets... ❤️
who-cester.blogspot.com/2026/02/lets... ❤️
Let's talk about some things you could donate to today
It's almost Valentine's day, and in that spirit, here are some places that could use your love: With my usual caveat that I hate that this e...
who-cester.blogspot.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Anyway I put some other “give some love” links here, if that is of interest:
who-cester.blogspot.com/2026/02/lets... ❤️
who-cester.blogspot.com/2026/02/lets... ❤️
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Local students from the two local high schools walked out against ICE yesterday, meeting up in our town square.
This sign is so damn good.
This sign is so damn good.
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Local students from the two local high schools walked out against ICE yesterday, meeting up in our town square.
This sign is so damn good.
This sign is so damn good.
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
The author and his closest basketball confidantes undertake a formal analysis of Steph Curry’s shot at the Paris Olympics as art object.
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
Excerpts from The Believer: The Worst Shot Ever Taken
Illustration by Chuan Ming Ong - - -The author and his closest basketball confidantes undertake a formal analysis of Steph Curry’s shot at the Par...
www.mcsweeneys.net
February 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
The author and his closest basketball confidantes undertake a formal analysis of Steph Curry’s shot at the Paris Olympics as art object.
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety. Just look at Boston; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; and even New York itself, all of which have tried it to excellent effect.”
Opinion | Something Surprising Happens When Bus Rides Are Free
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:05 PM
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety. Just look at Boston; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; and even New York itself, all of which have tried it to excellent effect.”
Reposted by Tracy O’Connell Novick
Need a dose of hope? Try the SIGNS OF SPRING feed! bsky.app/profile/did:...
After two and a half weeks under the snow, look who’s shown up ready to continue blooming as if nothing happened!
#flowers #snowdrops #BloomScrolling #garden
#flowers #snowdrops #BloomScrolling #garden
February 13, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Need a dose of hope? Try the SIGNS OF SPRING feed! bsky.app/profile/did:...
Glad to hear that from Worcester.
That tracks with what I heard. Apparently, in their MOU with the camera company they do contract with, there is language barring the data from being used by any other agency.
February 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Glad to hear that from Worcester.
with my usual caveat that I hate that this exists and we should just USE PUBLIC FUNDS TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION:
With the code "HEART" today, your donation to Donors Choose is doubled.
www.donorschoose.org
With the code "HEART" today, your donation to Donors Choose is doubled.
www.donorschoose.org
DonorsChoose: Support a classroom. Build a future.
DonorsChoose connects teachers in high-need communities with donors who want to help.
www.donorschoose.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:44 PM
with my usual caveat that I hate that this exists and we should just USE PUBLIC FUNDS TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION:
With the code "HEART" today, your donation to Donors Choose is doubled.
www.donorschoose.org
With the code "HEART" today, your donation to Donors Choose is doubled.
www.donorschoose.org
Not the main point but:
“One of the contracts, for bulk steel, sat on Noem’s desk for approval for so long that from the time the deal was struck in December until it was signed Feb. 10, the price of steel went up more than $100 million, some of the people said.”
“One of the contracts, for bulk steel, sat on Noem’s desk for approval for so long that from the time the deal was struck in December until it was signed Feb. 10, the price of steel went up more than $100 million, some of the people said.”
Thanks for the gift link, @timmarchman.bsky.social.
This story is really something else!!! (gift link)
February 13, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Not the main point but:
“One of the contracts, for bulk steel, sat on Noem’s desk for approval for so long that from the time the deal was struck in December until it was signed Feb. 10, the price of steel went up more than $100 million, some of the people said.”
“One of the contracts, for bulk steel, sat on Noem’s desk for approval for so long that from the time the deal was struck in December until it was signed Feb. 10, the price of steel went up more than $100 million, some of the people said.”
Joseph Priestly to Benjamin Franklin, this day in 1776:
Once America inevitably becomes independent, “I hope you have wisdom to guard against the rocks that we have fatally split upon, and make some better provision for securing your natural rights against the incroachment of power, in whomsoever placed.”
February 13, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Joseph Priestly to Benjamin Franklin, this day in 1776:
For a state that purports to pride itself on our education system(s), the utter lack of critical thinking demonstrated here and elsewhere is just mind-boggling.
“[Sam] Altman appeared via video to help [Governor Maura] Healey announce that #Massachusetts will be the first state to roll out OpenAI’s ChatGPT software to all 40,000 employees of the executive branch of government.”
#mapoli
#mapoli
At launch event for new AI council, Gov. Healy says state employees will get access to ChatGPT
Gov. Maura Healey announced the three-year, $4.3 million annual deal with OpenAI at a Thursday event launching the Massachusetts AI Coalition.
www.masslive.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM
For a state that purports to pride itself on our education system(s), the utter lack of critical thinking demonstrated here and elsewhere is just mind-boggling.
$15M is a lot of money.
(That’s like some small school districts’ yearly budget, which is always my measure.)
(That’s like some small school districts’ yearly budget, which is always my measure.)
There are ~90 million people alive today because of USAID. Russ Vought illegally shut it down and now is spending the money on himself. These are deeply evil people. www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show
The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an archit...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM
$15M is a lot of money.
(That’s like some small school districts’ yearly budget, which is always my measure.)
(That’s like some small school districts’ yearly budget, which is always my measure.)
LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK
"For Cohn, the fare gate debate is a chance to change how public transit works. “Whenever I see lots of money being put into combatting fare evasion, it always just ends up reinforcing to me why fare-free public transit is a good goal.”"
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/13/n...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/13/n...
The new fare gates at South Station are annoying. They’re also part of the answer to a bigger problem. - The Boston Globe
For some, the gates are a practical solution to fare evasion, which drains MBTA resources. For others, they’re a symbol of why the transit agency needs radical reform.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:54 PM
LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK
Locally, it’s the school committees
At the state level, it’s the Board of Ed
At the state level, it’s the Board of Ed
I think the only thing to do is lobby the local school committees hard to have a no AI policy for schools. I am baffled by the utter lack of critical thinking in those running the education system.
February 13, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Locally, it’s the school committees
At the state level, it’s the Board of Ed
At the state level, it’s the Board of Ed