What industry will be under attack here next?
Gov. Patrick wants to crack down on the candy and soft-drink manufacturers by imposing a 5-percent tax on purchases of those products. They’re not good for you he says, not to mention that taxing them would raise another $121.5 million for the state.
He wants the auto manufacturers to [...]
Archive for the 'Massachusetts politics' Category
What will they think of taxing next?
Posted in Massachusetts politics, State issues, Uncategorized on Feb 3rd, 2009 Comments
Lottery’s latest: Home Keno parlors
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Uncategorized on Mar 26th, 2008 Comments
Opinions are decidedly mixed over whether Massachusetts should allow casino gambling. But a new program put forward by the Massachusetts Lottery Commission could turn every pharmacy and convenience store into a gaming outlet.
It’s called “Keno-to-go” and would greatly expand the number of locations at which one can buy Keno tickets. These outlets had been resricted [...]
Another pol caught in St. Pat’s briar patch
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Uncategorized on Mar 18th, 2008 Comments
Those annual St. Patrick’s Day roasts can be dangerous affairs for Bay State politicians who, nevertheless, seem to relish the opportunity they provide to tell bad jokes and sing off key.
For years legislative leaders used to poke fun at the taxpayers for allowing them to play fast and loose with their money. But they’ve found [...]
Debate continues on casino bill
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton on Mar 11th, 2008 Comments
A vote on Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to license three resort casinos in Massachusetts could be taken by the House of Representatives early next month.
A hearing on the proposal has been scheduled for March 18 at which there will be a full airing of the pros and cons of allowing casinos in the Bay State. [...]
Mayors unite
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Municipal meltdown, Nelson Benton, Uncategorized on Feb 5th, 2008 Comments
We’re drifting towards fiscal failure.
That’s according to Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer who made the comment at the start of a meeting Monday between Merrimack Valley mayors and the Eagle-Tribune’s editorial board.
The municipal chief executives want two things — more money and the tools with which to better manage their cities.
Unfortunately for them, voters are already [...]
Illegal immigration: How big an issue?
Posted in 6th District, Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Presidential race, Uncategorized on Jan 31st, 2008 Comments
Outrage over the more liberal provisions of the bipartisan immigration bill put forward last year had everyone from Harry Reid to John McCain to George Bush running for cover.
Yet here we are less than a year later and McCain is leading the GOP pack despite opponent Mitt Romney’s best efforts to paint him as soft [...]
But how will it play in Peoria?
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Presidential race on Jan 29th, 2008 Comments
Much is being made of the Kennedy family’s anointing of Barack Obama as the candidate best suited to follow in JFK’s footsteps.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, who’s long since given up his dream of becoming the second Kennedy brother to occupy the White House, was at his rip-roaring best Monday as he declared Obama “ready to be [...]
“Massachusetts is on the move”
Posted in Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton on Jan 24th, 2008 Comments
That was the mantra for Gov. Deval Patrick’s State of the State speech tonight, repeated five times in the first half of a speech meant to inspire the Legislature into giving him his budget and the means of paying for it.
At the other end of the half-hour speech came several choruses of “the cost of [...]
Another Ogonowski run
Posted in 5th District race, Massachusetts politics, Nelson Benton, Uncategorized on Jan 15th, 2008 Comments
It’s says something about the sad state of the Massachusetts Republican Party that an also-ran in last fall’s 5th District congressional election can be touted as a credible opponent for incumbent U.S. Sen. John Kerry.
Though he’s been in office since 1985, Kerry should be vulnerable on any number of issues. (Like taking an unofficial two-year [...]
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About
Nelson Benton is editorial page editor of The Salem News. Over the past four decades he has covered all the cities and towns of the North Shore, as well as the Statehouse. His political column appears every Friday on the Opinion page. Categories
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