New England Public Radio

Study: Emails To Legislators Often Don’t Work

The arrival of the Trump Administration in Washington brought with it a huge volume of phone calls and emails. Congressional offices have said they’ve never seen so much correspondence from constituents — many who’re opposed to President Trump’s cabinet nominees and early policy announcements.

But new research finds this might not be the best way to influence your representatives — at least in state legislatures.

Click the audio player above to hear New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy interview with UMass Lowell political scientist John Cluverius.

The Week Ahead On Beacon Hill: Pay Raise Fallout, House Meets To Respond To Trump

Many legislators, elected officials and judges in Massachusetts are now in line for much bigger paychecks. That’s after the legislature last week overrode Governor Charlie Baker’s veto of a pay raise bill. It’s estimated to cost the state an extra $18 million each year.

For more, we checked in with reporter Matt Murphy of the State House News Service, as we do most Mondays. He said the bill took effect immediately, so state officials should see the extra money very soon.

Also this week, House Democrats will meet to discuss how they might respond to recent actions by the Trump Administration. Last week, the state senate took up a resolution to oppose President Trump’s executive action on immigration and refugees.

Click the audio player above to hear Henry Epp’s conversation with Matt Murphy about the week ahead on Beacon Hill.

The Week Ahead On Beacon Hill

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and members of his administration are still in Israel on a trade mission. This week a group of state senators, including Stan Rosenberg of Amherst, will travel to Minnesota for a fact-finding trip about health care.

As we do most Mondays, I checked in with State House News Service reporter Matt Murphy, and asked what the lawmakers hope to find in the “land of ten-thousand lakes.”

Plus, Murphy told us what to expect as the first steps of marijuana legalization take effect this week, and we discussed Attorney General Maura Healey’s legal fight with ExxonMobil.

To hear reporter Matt Murphy in conversation with NEPR’s Carrie Healy, click the audio player above.

This Week On Beacon Hill

The Massachusetts Legislature restored millions in spending to the state budget during a rare Saturday session, over the objections of Governor Charlie Baker. State House News Service reporter, Matt Murphy tells New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy, lawmakers squeezed in some work over the weekend in-between national party conventions…as they face a July 31st deadline to wrap up formal sessions.

The Week Ahead on Beacon Hill

At the end of the week, Massachusetts will welcome fiscal year 20-17. As it stands, it looks like state revenues are down about $750 million dollars, and that is throwing a hitch into finalizing next year’s state budget. New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy checks in with State House News reporter Matt Murphy to find out if the state budget could get passed by Friday.

Click the red button, above, to hear Matt Murphy discuss budget negotiations, Elizabeth Warren, and bills slated for debate this week, with New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy.

The Week Ahead On Beacon Hill

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker meets with legislative leaders Monday afternoon. It’s their first gathering since Baker announced nearly $50 million in state budget budget cuts late Friday.  We check in now with State House reporter Matt Murphy. He tells New England Public Radio’s Henry Epp that Baker does not need the legislature’s approval to make these emergency budget cuts.

 

Click on the audio link above to hear a conversation between State House News Service reporter Matt Murphy and NEPR’s Henry Epp.