As a part of the Boston University Statehouse Program, I worked for the Quincy Patriot Ledger as a Statehouse Correspondent during the Spring 2010 semester.
Below are links to my clips.
06/03/2010 Democrat’s chairman John Walsh values old and new social networking
BOSTON-The future of Massachusetts Democrats may be just a tweet and a conversation away.
Just ask “JohnEWalshDem.”
04/12/2010 Cahill hold’s his own as independent in governor’s race
Three is a party, but two is a crowd – especially when votes are at stake. Now that state Treasurer Timothy Cahill has shown he won’t stay on the sidelines as an independent candidate in the governor’s race, he and Republican Charlie Baker are battling over conservatives’ votes in a bid to unseat Gov. Deval Patrick.
04/02/2010 Workers and activists demand paid sick days
BOSTON —Janet Rapoza had to contend with sickness and her employer’s threats of termination during her 14 years of working at Wal-Mart.
“I was sick, fighting off two illnesses, and went over the three unpaid sick days multiple times,” said Rapoza, a New Bedford resident, during a rally Thursday at the State House.
04/01/2010 Nurses rally for protections against patient abuse
BOSTON —Karen Coughlin has horror stories that span the 26 years she’s worked as a psychiatric nurse for the state Department of Mental Health.
“I’ve been punched, kicked, scratched, bit and had furniture thrown at me,” said Coughlin, who also serves as vice president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association.
03/26/2010 House OKs special-election reimbursement
BOSTON —Towns and cities across the state are one step closer to getting repaid for the special elections that sent Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate.
On Wednesday, the House voted to increase a $250 million supplemental budget for fiscal 2010 by $7.2 million so cities and towns can be reimbursed for the primary and final elections.
03/22/2010 Future ownership of Ulin Rink center of debate
BOSTON —It’s a battle for the ice in Milton as state lawmakers and local officials debate the possible transfer of the state-owned Max Ulin ice rink to the town.
A bill by Sen. Brian Joyce, D-Milton, would allow the state Department of Conservation and Recreation to transfer ownership of the rink to Milton, which would then be able to lease the facility from the state for $1 a year for 25 years.
03/17/2010 Quincy speed limit bill stuck in park
BOSTON —Legislation calling for slower speeds in residential areas is placed in study committee
The effort by Quincy officials to establish lower neighborhood speed limits never got the momentum it needed Tuesday to pass a legislative committee.
03/04/2010 South Shore schools make the grade
BOSTON —The South Shore passed the test.
The Massachusetts Department of Education today released a list of 35 schools around the state that performed poorly on the MCAS exams for four years and have not shown improvement over that time.
None of the schools were from the South Shore.
02/26/2010 Bill would force paid sick leave for everyone
BOSTON —In order to stay in business in the current economic climate, Richard Meier, owner of Meier & Associates, has had to make drastic cutbacks.
Now, Meier, whose company is based in Abington, has another worry – the Paid Sick Leave Act that’s being considered by the state Legislature.
“I like to give employees everything I can and keep them employed,” Meier said. “The Paid Sick Leave Act will make it that much more difficult.”
02/24/2010 Emotional testimony at State House hearing on right-to-die bill
BOSTON —Eileen Lipkind of Stoughton remembers her husband, Al Lipkind, as a “lively guy” who “did not want to be bedridden and have people take care of all his needs.”
True to that philosophy, before Al Lipkin died of stomach cancer in October, he asked Rep. Louis Kafka to file a bill permitting physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts.
02/18/2010 Notify drivers or spend less? Registry chooses latter
QUINCY —Michael Henry tries to keep up with his car inspections and repairs. Commuting from Quincy to his job as a special-education teacher in Plymouth requires daily use of his car.
But ask Henry about his driver’s license and he can’t recall when it expires.
02/11/2010 Randolph in line for Stoughton court position
BOSTON —A Randolph woman is in line to become the next clerk magistrate at Stoughton District Court.
Robin E. Vaughan, Suffolk Superior Court’s assistant clerk magistrate for criminal cases, was interviewed Wednesday by the Governor’s Council, an elected body that passes judgment on court nominees.
2/10/2010 Independent enters the race for Delahunt’s seat
BOSTON – An independent candidate has joined the growing number of challengers running for the 10th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. William Delahunt.
Peter White, a Mashpee motel owner and Springfield native, announced his candidacy last week.
In 2006, White ran for the seat against Delahunt and Republican Jeff Beatty. White received 5.8 percent of the vote.
02/08/2010 State my extend 5-cent deposit beyond soda and liquor bottles
Judeth Van Hamm of Hull has been waiting for the state to make water bottles and sports-drink containers redeemable for 5 cents each.
Van Hamm is president of Sustainable South Shore, a group that helps residents conserve energy, protect the environment and live sustainable lives. Walking Hull beaches and seeing water bottles discarded along the shoreline leaves her frustrated.
“Besides the wrapper, what’s the difference between a plastic Coke bottle and a plastic water bottle?” Van Hamm said.
02/05/2010 Senior advocates want age-based testing out of driving bill
BOSTON —If you are over 75, the days of renewing your driver’s license online could be a convenience of the past. A bill passed Thursday by the House would require that drivers over 75 renew their licenses in person and pass a vision test every five years.
01/29/2010 School lunches and vending options headed for an overhaul in Mass.
BOSTON —The days of Sloppy Joes at the school lunch table appear numbered.
A school nutrition bill passed by the House on Thursday would require public schools to serve healthier meals to students, and to overhaul vending options.
01/28/2010 Cahill speaks at party marking Quincy Chamber
QUINCY – State Treasurer Tim Cahill used his appearance at the launch party for the new Quincy Chamber of Commerce to help build momentum for his run for governor this year. Cahill, running as an independent, seized on Republican Scott Brown’s come-from-behind victory last week in the U.S. Senate race and congratulated Quincy voters for picking the winner.
Compilations 