Hiatus

Planning on doing alot of behind the scenes work on LMT.  Since there are still only 24 hours in the day, and lots of other priorities (sleeping, working), I'm going to have to put aside updating the blog while I revamp the site.

Target date for the new LMT should be September 1^st.  If I'm right, that's when political news in the Commonwealth should heat up anyways.

So!  Now would be a good time to throw out any ideas about where I should take the site.  I'll still be reading the comments feed, and my email is still up on the site.  Let me know if there's anything you think I should drop, or any features you would like to see.

Thanks!  Have a great summer.


What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Where in the World Is Deval Patrick?

Matthew Gannon asked two days ago, and we have our answer now.  A reader adds, "I really hope he's not hiking the Appalachian Trail."

Well, no.  He's not.  Thankfully.  He skived off to visit Massachusetts troops in Iraq.  South Carolina still has us beat.

He got back in touch with the world from Kuwait, reports Glenn Johnson.

Dave Wedge has more.

“The critics will criticize. They always do,” Patrick said today from Kuwait. “But I get to go on these trips when the Department of Defense says it’s time. We’ve been trying to plan this trip for years.

What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Chief Justice Margaret Marshall Set to Retire

Bob Salsberg reports on Chief Justice Marshall's retirement.

The AP also provides an overview of her career, including her decision on Goodridge v. the Department of Public Health (2003), which ruled that it was unconstitutional to prevent gays from marrying.

Finally, the AP runs through what this could mean for the Patrick Administration, whether or not Governor Patrick wins re-election.


What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

Ante Up: Casino Debate Stalls Beacon Hill

Jon Keller reports on how the debate is going.  SPOILERS: Not well!

Bob Oakes reports that there is a 50/50 chance that this thing will even pass.

The AP reports that there MAY be a bill.

Jim O'Sullivan shares the uncertainty, but reports that talks have not broken down between houses yet.  Noah Bierman adds that the rhetoric on both side is toning down.  Hillary Chabot reports that all sides are committed to producing a bill.

The Massachusetts Liberal analyzes everyone's agenda.

Blue Mass Group's Scout objects to a lame rebuttal to the "racinos are no-bid contracts" argument.

Andrew Ryan reports that several Massachusetts mayors are supporting the House's racino plan.  Not Mayor Menino, however, who doesn't want to upset the process by supporting any particulars.


What do you think? Please feel free to comment!

AG Watch

The Worcester Telegram's Shaun Sutner reports that Millbury lawyer James McKenna is discussing a write-in campaign to run against Martha Coakley for Attorney General.  If he wins the GOP primary by write-in, then he will be on the ballot in the general.

Winning the primary, even unopposed, with a write-in campaign will be difficult.  A quick glimpse of his chief issues (straight from the Telegram article), after the jump.