house of representatives

congress

Zika talks to end soon, Republican negotiators promise

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in control of negotiations on long-delayed funding to combat the Zika virus are promising a quick agreement. Behind-the-scenes negotiations have focused on a potential deal in the range of a $1.1 billion measure passed by the Senate last month. A trickier issue involves whether to pair

Massachusetts

Federal Joyce probe reaches into state House with subpoena

BOSTON – U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz subpoenaed records from the Massachusetts House of Representatives as part of an investigation into whether state Sen. Brian Joyce, a Milton Democrat, illegally used his office to bolster his law practice, House officials confirmed on Monday. Joyce has denied all wrongdoing, and

transgender

‘Bathroom bill’ passes Massachusetts House as foes fail

BOSTON — After a virtual marathon of proposed amendments, moral platitudes and the occasional outburst from the gallery by supporters and opponents alike, the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would ensure access to the public bathroom or changing room of choice for transgender people. Wednesday's

transgender

Baker relents, says he’d sign the House bathroom bill

BOSTON – On the eve of a debate in the state House of Representatives on access to public facilities for transgender people, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday he would sign a version of the so-called bathroom bill currently before lawmakers in the lower chamber. "No one should be discriminated

Massachusetts

Plastic grocery bag ban passed by Mass. Senate

BOSTON – Environmentalists across Massachusetts were ecstatic Wednesday after members of the state Senate voted during budget deliberations to adopt an amendment banning plastic disposable shopping bags in the commonwealth. The amendment, proposed by state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), would take effect in August 2018 if it passes in the House

boston

Charter school expansion unlikely to come up, DeLeo says

BOSTON – With Memorial Day weekend around the corner and just two full months of formal sessions left for the Massachusetts Legislature, Speaker Robert DeLeo, who controls the agenda in the state House of Representatives, on Wednesday questioned the propriety of expending time and effort trying to pass a bill expanding

Massachusetts

Public records access overhaul sent to Baker

BOSTON – Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to send the first major overhaul of public records access laws in 40 years to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk. In addition to requiring state agencies and cities and towns to designate records officers to field

Massachusetts

‘Bathroom bill’ foes ask House lawmakers to protect privacy

BOSTON – Opponents hit Beacon Hill Tuesday to rally against proposals that would mandate access to public bathrooms or changing rooms for individuals based on the gender of their choice, two weeks after the state Senate overwhelmingly passed a so-called bathroom bill and in anticipation of a vote as soon as