New England Public Radio

The Week Ahead On Beacon Hill

Last week, Massachusetts lawmakers rushed through a bill to delay parts of the state’s new recreational marijuana law, including when retail pot stores can open. Governor Charlie Baker has signed that bill. There are more steps the legislature could take to change the ballot measure that voters approved in November. According to reporter Matt Murphy of the State House News Service, the legislature’s next target could be marijuana taxes.

Also this week:

  • A new, two-year legislative session begins. New lawmakers will be sworn in.
  • The latest state revenue numbers will be released. That could determine whether Democrats in the legislature restore funding to some budget items hit by Governor Baker’s December cuts.

Click the audio player above to hear Matt Murphy and Henry Epp discuss the week ahead on Beacon Hill.

 

Maura Healey’s Priorities Ahead Of Swearing-in As Mass. Attorney General

Maura Healey is one of the four constitutional officers being sworn in today. She’s taking over as Massachusetts Attorney General from Martha Coakley. Like her predecessor, Healey is a Democrat, and she worked under Coakley in the Attorney General’s office for seven years.  Healey talks about her priorities as she becomes the state’s top prosecutor.

To hear an interview with Maura Healey, click on the audio player above.

Charlie Baker Takes Office Today After Eight Years Of Deval Patrick

It’s inauguration day in Massachusetts. Republican Charlie Baker will be sworn in as the state’s next governor at noon today. He succeeds Democrat Deval Patrick, who’s held the office for the last eight years. Our Statehouse reporter Sarah Birnbaum is covering the transition of power at the state’s corner office. She walks us through the schedule for baker’s inauguration.

To hear the conversation with Sarah Birnbaum, click on the audio player above.

John Barbieri Sworn In As New Springfield Police Commissioner

Five days into his new position as Springfield’s top cop, John Barbieri was officially sworn in Thursday as its Police Commissioner. In a ceremony at Old First Church attended by local, state, and federal law enforcement officials, Barbieri said he is both humbled and proud to serve in his new capacity. He promised to use progressive new policies to battle crime in the city. But Barbieri stressed even the best equipped department must rely on the public to be effective.

“There are people out there that know who the persons are in our communities that carry firearms, the persons in our communities that sell poisonous drugs to addicts who take advantage of their addictions,” Barbieri said. “Don’t they bear a certain moral responsibility to the victims of crimes and their families to come forward?”

Barbieri’s swearing-in comes amidst a spate of recent shootings that have resulted in three deaths in a span of ten days. Police say there have been no arrests in connection with the murders, largely due to what they say are uncooperative witnesses.