Latest news with #Deehan
Axios
27-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Top Mass. Democrats face off on liquor, school reform
Deehan here, back with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics. Tensions are high between House and Senate Democrats on Beacon Hill as their leaders clash on changes to local liquor licensing, vocational school reforms and health care protections. Why it matters: With 35 days until the new fiscal year begins, House and Senate negotiators are trying to reconcile significant differences between their budget proposals. The big picture: Both chambers approved spending roughly 6% more this year. Though they're ostensibly part of the same political party, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano diverge on several big issues that will require compromise. What we're watching: The Senate wants to end the nearly century-old population-based cap system for local liquor licenses and let cities set their own limits. House leaders have historically opposed a change. The two chambers are also at odds over how to end broker fees on apartment rentals. The House wants to pause new changes to vocational school admissions. The Senate plan includes prescription drug price caps and more funding to protect hospitals from closing. How it works: Budget negotiations are top-down affairs, with the Ways and Means committee chairs — Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues — making offers, trading proposals and protecting their bosses' priorities. Between the lines: Aside from the chaos before the end of the lawmaking session, budget season is the pinnacle of horse-trade politicking in this one-party state. Whatever compromises are hashed out will almost certainly become law. Rank-and-file lawmakers don't go against leadership. The Republican minorities in the House and Senate have little to no influence on the outcome.
Axios
07-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Dems don't see eye-to-eye on lowering rental costs, MBTA bailout
Deehan here, back with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics. As top lawmakers craft the state's spending plans for the next fiscal year, lines aren't being drawn between parties, but among the Democrats that lead the one-party state. Why it matters: The true political conflict in Massachusetts is House Democrats vs. Senate Democrats. They rarely disagree on what to do. How to do it and how much to spend are the tricky parts. And there's a lot riding on which chamber's priorities win out when it comes to funding for the MBTA and how much renters have to pay to move into an apartment. Zoom in: There's a big divide on how much funding to give to the T as it posts big wins on repairs and customer satisfaction but struggles to keep its spending under control. The Senate proposes $370 million for the T. That's $420 million less than what the House approved. The difference is because the Senate wants to split revenues from the new 4% income surtax evenly between transportation and education investments. The House favors pouring more into the MBTA as the agency's finances spiral. Another issue where Democrats agree but still need to nail down the details is in eliminating real estate broker fees, the additional up-front month's rent paid at the start of a lease. Gov. Maura Healey and Democratic leaders generally support shifting fees from renters to landlords, but the devil is in the details. The Senate wants the fees to be paid by whoever hires the broker. The House laid out a plan where whoever contacts a broker first is on the hook. The differences between "hiring" and "contacting" could look like splitting hairs, but some housing advocates are worried renters could still get slammed by fees if they respond to a broker's listing. The big picture: Lawmakers got a bit of breathing room Monday when April tax collections came in more than $1 billion over expectations. Yes, but: Since most of the bonus money came from the extra 4% on incomes over $1 million, it's restricted to education or transportation spending. The state couldn't use it to bail out the MassHealth system if there are cuts to federal Medicaid, for instance.
Axios
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Getting to the bottom of Boston's CarPlay dead zones
It's always frustrating when your car's GPS system crashes or resets. It's even more infuriating when it happens every day — in the same spot. Why it matters: That's what happens to some Boston drivers who say their Apple CarPlay or Android Auto dashboard units disconnect every time they drive over a certain spot on Storrow Drive by Harvard's athletic fields. Other spots where drivers report CarPlay failures: The Storrow Back Bay exit The Park Drive bridge over the Fenway MBTA stop Further down Storrow near the Hatch Shell The other side of Soldier's Field by WBZ. What's happening: Most dashboard devices like CarPlay and Android Auto don't handle GPS navigation on their own — they use a direct wireless connection to the driver's phone for their link to the outside Internet and navigation satellites. Radio interference can disconnect the dashboard from the phone, causing the GPS route to get knocked offline. What they're saying:"Given that these bands are unlicensed and that anybody can operate in these bands, it is likely that sometimes there may be some interference in the system," Northeastern University electrical and computer engineering assistant research professor Michele Polese told Axios. Northeastern runs the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things, which specializes in how modern online devices communicate. The intrigue: Another user suggested point-to-point microwave links along the Charles River, possibly owned by a certain Ivy League university on either side of the river, are to blame. If a microwave transmitter operated on the 2.4GHz band, the same one used by Bluetooth and to connect phones to most dashboard units, interference could knock out a driver's GPS. Redditor calinet6 suggested WBZ's antenna dishes along Soldier's Field Road could also contribute to the problem. "My wife thought I was crazy, then I told her to watch right before it happens the other night. It's been multiple years, phones, and cars using CarPlay that it happens," user vr6_kid reported in a popular Reddit thread on the phenomenon. 💭 Deehan's thought bubble: I drove loops around Soldier Field and up and down Storrow to see if I could replicate the problem with my Android Auto system.
Axios
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What to eat at the Boston-area James Beard finalists
Steph and Deehan here. We wanted to know what made our Boston-area James Beard finalists stand out. So we stopped by before these spots started getting lines out the door. First up is Merai, the small Thai-inspired bar in Brookline Village that's in the running for best new bar. Steph had dinner and drinks at the bar. The only problem with Merai is that it calls itself an "elevated dive bar" — three words that don't go together. Yes, but: Merai is everything an "elevated" bar should be. Dangerously smooth and smoky drinks (whisky drinkers would enjoy the Mr. Wonka). Comfort foods with a pop of unexpected flavor, from the mix of coconut milk and mushroom in the curry pot pie ($15) to the Thai-iced-tea-flavored tiramisu ($10). I heard their flan was even better, but it's not on the menu right now. The verdict: Where so many local bars and restaurants slap on Thai peanut dressing or add tacos and dumplings to diversify their menu, Merai's homage to Thai cuisine actually does the country's rich culinary culture justice. Now onto Urban Hearth, whose owner and chief Erin Miller is a finalist for best chef in the Northeast region. Deehan snagged a reservation Thursday night. Miller is hard to miss in the 24-seat Mass. Ave. restaurant as she mans the adorable open kitchen, manages staff and interacts with diners. What he ate: Saffron ricotta ravioli ($26) a shared-plate-size portion of four cheese dumplings with grilled asparagus, arugula pistou and crispy capers. Seared bluefin tuna crudo ($27) another shared plate with four slices of fish, foamy citron and popped sorghum. Boston brown bread ($8) a starter with fermented chili butter, Maine sea salt and some of the tastiest fresh honey you'll have this year. Savory sweet potato creme brulee ($26) a less sugary take on the rich dessert serves as a shared plate with sunchoke slaw and miso peanut brittle. I missed out on the brown butter striped bass ($42) a fillet with she-crab beurre blanc, roasted celeriac and swiss chard on top of delicate bay scallops. The verdict: The food and dining experience are next-level, but know what you're getting into with the portion sizes and prices. The bread might have been the first time I actually enjoyed eating Boston brown bread. I couldn't even see the aluminum can indentations.
Axios
31-03-2025
- Axios
Massachusetts RMV scrambles before Real ID deadline
You have a little over one month to obtain a Real ID before it's required for domestic flights and access to some federal facilities like courthouses and military bases. Why it matters: Only 57% of Massachusetts driver's license and state ID-holders have upgraded to Real ID so far, according to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The low adoption rate could cause headaches for travelers trying to fly out of Logan this spring. Be smart: The RMV recommends scheduling appointments at least three weeks before a domestic flight. Many of the agency's appointment blocks are booked solid before the May 7 deadline. RMV locations outside of the Boston area have more openings but can be a hassle to get to during operating hours. Good luck finding an appointment at the bigger metro RMVs like Haymarket and Braintree. Threat level: Given the looming deadline, maxed-out appointment system and 10-14 business day wait for the new license, most people who haven't yet started the process won't be able to get a Real ID before May 7. The RMV recommends bringing a valid passport if you have a flight after the deadline and can't get the upgrade in time. 💭 Deehan's thought bubble: I just drove all the way to New Bedford for my renewal and Real ID upgrade. The next closest available location for the day I had open was Springfield. My RMV agent jokingly asked how the drive down from Dorchester went when she saw my address. Catch up quick: After May 7, the TSA will require the new ID for everything from the JFK shuttle to the long-haul flight to Honolulu. Unexpired non-Real ID Massachusetts licenses and IDs will still be valid for driving and accessing benefits but won't work for air travel after the deadline. In Massachusetts, the $25 REAL ID upgrade appointment requires original or certified documents showing proof of lawful presence in the U.S., Social Security number, and two proofs of Massachusetts residency. Plan to wait at least 10-14 business days for your new ID to arrive. Flashback: Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005, but implementation was delayed multiple times over the past 20 years. What we're watching: With less than two-thirds (3 million) of Mass. IDs upgraded so far, the summer travel season could see a lot of passengers turned away from Logan airport security lines and airline agents bombarded by irate customers.
