State House Takeout

Chris Lisinski reports on the appeal hearing over the air quality permit for the proposed Weymouth gas compressor site and the state's 11th-hour release of new data. Matt Murphy recaps the House's passage of a ban on handheld devices while driving, including a compromise on concerns over racial profiling. And after a week of education protests at the State House, Katie Lannan looks ahead to a possible June release of a proposal to overhaul the state's education funding formulas.

The News Service crew looks at Sen. Michael Rodrigues' Ways and Means budget, and potential legal action by cities alleging insufficient state education funding. Matt Murphy has details from a sit-down with incoming Associated Industries of Massachusetts CEO John Regan.

Colin A. Young has analysis on the Gaming Commission's decision to clear the Everett casino for its planned June opening. Katie Lannan reports on testimony this week about the rising cost of public university tuition in the Bay State. And Matt Murphy breaks down recent tensions between some Massachusetts officials and the feds over ICE detainers.

With House budget week behind them, the News Service crew recaps the week of deliberations - what was said in the House Chamber, and what wasn't.

Katie Lannan and Colin Young dive into a few of the 1,370 amendments to the House budget and larger issues at play. Matt Murphy talks about the continuing Stop & Shop strike, as presidential candidates cycle through Massachusetts to rally with picketers. And Chris Lisinski previews the Senate's agenda for next week, including consideration of a gender-neutral identification bill.

Craig Sandler and the State House News crew break down the House Ways and Means budget, another round of advocacy for the millionaire surtax, and other tax proposals on the horizon.

Fresh off a three-day assignment to the Gaming Commission's Wynn Resorts hearings, Colin Young shares his chief takeaways. Chris Lisinski reports on the state of affordable housing in Massachusetts. Katie Lannan looks at what might be "critical mass" behind single-use bag bans. And Matt Murphy talks about Gov. Baker's stance on late-term abortions, and how the second-term Republican's positions compare to those of his new party chairman.

Matt Murphy has a rundown on Senate President Karen Spilka's tax code working group and the status of conversations around new revenues. Katie Lannan has details from the Senate debate on banning conversion therapy for minors. Chris Lisinski reports on the swift passage of a bill to replace Title X funding for family planning clinics. And Colin Young has a comprehensive preview of next week's Gaming Commission hearing into Wynn Resorts' suitability to operate the Everett casino.

Chris Lisinski and Katie Lannan walk through the action from Wednesday's House session, and Lisinski recaps the week's transportation news. News Service co-op Kaitlyn Budoin makes her on-mic debut, discussing an addiction panel, service dogs and insights from her first few months on Beacon Hill.

Colin Young and Katie Lannan recap the first hearing on the governor's fiscal 2020 budget proposal, and Matt Murphy reports on two bills - the "cap on kids" repeal and a conversion therapy ban - that are on the fast track toward a House session next week. Chris Lisinski talks about rising tension over MBTA fare increases and the process by which they're ratified, previewing a possible Monday vote on the latest round of hikes.

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