Results tagged “statehouse”

David Paul Ohmer brought us a site that many visitors to Massachusetts, and probably plenty of residents, have never seen; the inside of the dome of the State House. A fantastic site to behold, the colors and details are wonderful and there is a symmetry to the framing that's pleasing.

    

The State House snazzes up for the Celtics' and Bruins' playoff runs.

Streetsim has given us this photo of a snowy day on Boston Common. We like the strong foreground feature of the fountain, and the way the snow obscures the State House gives added depth to the photo.

In her first interview since being arrested for bribery in October, Dianne Wilkerson revealed she took way more money than was caught on tape (or in her bra): up to $70,000. But at least these funds weren't bribes. To the contrary, they were totally legal (according to Wilkerson), and just going toward paying off Wilkerson's personal debts, particularly those nagging tax bills. That's what we elect our politicians for—to help 'em out! The more destitute, the better. Apparently it is legal for individuals to give a tax-free $12,000 to others, but it's usually more of a parent-child than a constituent-politician payment. And even if a bunch of kind-hearted Bostonians (assuming those exist) really just wanted to help Wilkerson with her non-tax-paying ways (by giving her even more money to not pay taxes on), she could've some taken measures to make it look a bit less suspicious. For example, Arthur Winn, a partner in the Columbus Center project, gave Wilkerson money—and she conveniently voted to fund his development. Wilkerson also uses the "everyone does it" excuse:

We enjoy the effects of fuzzy focus on this weather-ravaged phone book.

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House Speaker Sal DiMasi, already caught up in a scandal over payments made to him and his staffers from a software company that obtained a state contract, has been painted a liar by the brush of the internet. DiMasi had previously claimed to have no knowledge of the contract, but the Globe has obtained emails from former Education Commissioner David Driscoll suggesting that DiMasi approved of the arrangement with software company Cognos. Driscoll's now the one in denial, claiming never to have met Cognos salesman Joseph Lally, whom he references in emails, nor to know why he had said that Cognos ranked higher than it actually did in comparison to other software vendors bidding on the contract. If only emails could jog memories.

The economic news from New York has been as brutal and relentless as the Giants' pass rush in the Super Bowl. Once again, New England is scrambling and taking too many hits.

The Globe reports that a former MIT chemist caused an all-out evacuation of her Temple Street brownstone by conducting some freelance science experiments. The woman, who has not been identified by name, had mixed a cocktail of chemicals on the floor of her apartment, directly behind the State House.

--Mayor Menino has suspended one of his own employees, the head of the Department of Public Works, for letting an employee work from her parent's house in Venezuela, which probably wouldn't have been a big deal if the arrangement hadn't lasted for five months. [Boston Globe]

--House speaker Sal DiMasi has put the Ethics Committee to the task of investigating the alleged threat against Rep. Jennifer Callahan. The words "State House" and "Ethics Committee" sound funny when put together, don't they? [Boston Globe]

If House speaker Sal DiMasi really wants to prove he is up to the task of managing this state and fend off those who want his crown, then he better crack down on the shenanigans at the State House. All ethical shadiness aside, yesterday a state rep said that another rep threatened her during the budget debate. Rep. Jennifer Callahan was behind a nurse staffing amendment, which apparently didn't please the other lawmaker:

Remember how we said yesterday that House speaker Sal DiMasi's free ride might be ending? Well, it came to a screeching halt, just as he was named the 2nd most powerful person in Boston. The Herald came out with a summary of potentially shady dealings in which those with ties to DiMasi benefitted.

--Meet the allegedly worst colleague ever: Revere police officer Evan Franklin may be fired because he is accused of running away after Officer Dan Talbot was shot in the head and killed behind Revere High School. He is also accused of lying to investigators after the incident. The officers were off-duty but had been drinking before the incident. [WBZ, background: Bostonist]

--So, Hazmat teams are supposed to be super-serious and careful. But we love the fact that they use a kiddie pool. [Image from Sandcastlematt]

Despite evidence to the contrary, we know that the State House is bigger than two men, more than just a turf battle between Governor Deval Patrick and Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi. For example: it also includes Speaker Pro Tempore Thomas Petrolati.

Deval Patrick isn't the first person to get into casino-related trouble, though few of us had to be publicly confronted with our regrettable outcomes the way Deval Patrick did. Eager to move past his failed plan to create much needed revenue for the Commonwealth through gaming, Patrick gave a major economic address yesterday at MIT.

We feel an illogical sense of pride when our local politicians are covered in the national media. It validates our process somehow. Not to get carried away, but maybe one of these years a Massachusetts leader will even run for President! Perchance to dream.

--A four-alarm fire broke out in Brookline overnight on Sewall Avenue. The building was vacant, but 120 people were evacuated, and three firefighters were injured. [WCVB]

Sean Garballey, 23, a grad student at Suffolk, soundly defeated two opponents yesterday to gain a seat in the commonwealth's House of Representatives. Garballey will represent Arlington and part of Medford.

Bostonist can't resist the lingo of the BPD Blotter!

--The Massachusetts House voted overwhelmingly in favor of preliminary approval to pour $1 billion into life sciences investment over 10 years. [WBZ Radio]

The Commomwealth's Speaker of the House, Sal DiMasi, is well-known for his opposition to Governor Deval Patrick's casino plan. There's no turning back now.

Whatever your thoughts on presidential candidate/political rock star Barack Obama borrowing a few points of Deval Patrick's rhetoric, you have to think it's good for the Governor. He's getting nation-wide press and it's not his fault that his speeches are so catchy and profound that Obama can't help copying them.

--Comm Ave is getting a 5-foot-wide bike lane on both sides between Kenmore Square and the BU Bridge by summer. [Boston Herald]

Massachusetts' legendary senior Senator and national liberal icon, Ted Kennedy. Massachusetts' junior Senator and the 2004 Democratic nominee, John Kerry. Massachusetts' precedent-shattering Governor, Deval Patrick. None of the endorsements were enough for Barack Obama to win the Massachusetts primary.

Deval Patrick has been making news lately with the State of the Commonwealth and his public support of presidential candidate Barack Obama. But what of Massachusetts' other top dog, Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi? Bostonist read Paul McMorrow's lengthy Boston Magazine profile of the Speaker of the House and found the article too interesting not to sum up.

Governor Deval Patrick testified this morning at the State House about his plan to create an Executive Office of Education. This would consolidate authority and responsibility for the commonwealth's education system from pre-kindergarten to higher education to one cabinet-level position in the State House.

Another week, another political clapfest. Governor Deval Patrick's State of the Commonwealth may have lacked the drama (what are the firefighters going to do?) and surprise (dismantling busing) of Mayor Menino's State of the City, but it did showcase Patrick's trademark optimism and plans for progress. Now how are we going to pay for it?

--A new bill that limits--but doesn't ban--skin-shock treatments at the Judge Rotenberg Center was under discussion yesterday at the State House. The bill would "allow shocks to stop students from hurting themselves or others, but would prohibit shocks for more "minor" acts such as swearing, shouting, or failing to complete a task." And maybe employees could be a little more questioning instead of serving shocks whenever anyone calls up and asks for one. [Boston Globe, background: Bostonist]