Latest news with #MikeMoran
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Real rules debate happens after meeting adjourns
BOSTON (WWLP) – House and Senate leaders met to try to reach joint rules on Thursday afternoon, a benchmark they have not met since 2019. The committee meeting itself was uneventful, and the real drama came after adjournment as lawmakers debated a rule regarding remote participation in hearings in real time in front of a gaggle of reporters. The disagreement made 22News headlines earlier this week, as Ludlow Senator Jake Oliveira was barred from testifying remotely on his own bill while at a meeting in Springfield with his constituents. The House chair of the committee says the idea behind their proposed attendance requirements is to ensure Bay State residents are heard by their lawmakers. 'I don't know how you can have a deliberative process where people are having dialogue and have no one show up at a hearing to hear anybody speak,' said House Chair Representative Mike Moran. The issue is more complicated for senators, whose districts are four times as large and who are in many more committees, which often meet at the same time. Senators are looking for more guidance from the House on what they want to see as a result of these rules, considering their busy schedules. 'Obviously, I don't even know what attendance means. Does it mean 5 minutes? 10 minutes? Do you come at the beginning? Do you come at the end? I don't even know what it means,' said Senate Chair Senator Cynthia Creem. The House says they are willing to budge on enshrining remote participation into law, but did not fully define what their standard of attendance would be, or how remote testifying would factor in. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three major companies hit by data breaches: how to protect yourself
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — What do a car rental corporation, a lab testing provider, and a kidney dialysis firm all have in common? Data breaches. In just the last week, the Hertz Corporation, Laboratory Services Cooperative (LSC) — which provides lab testing services to select Planned Parenthood centers — and DaVita all announced that they were victims of data breaches or data theft. Essentially, hackers or 'threat actors' gained access to the companies' systems and customer information, including names, contact information, dates of birth, credit card information, and Social Security numbers. DaVita said it was the victim of a ransomware attack. 'Corporate greed': Moreno sends scathing letter to CEOs over Chillicothe paper mill closure 'Ransomware is the issue of malware or a virus that takes over your device, your computer, your company's network, and it basically shuts it down, and it locks up or encrypts your data and your information,' Mike Moran, president of Columbus cybersecurity support firm, Affiliated Resource Group, said. 'They expect you to pay to get access to it. So, if you think about it, they've kidnapped your data and they want you to pay a ransom.' All three organizations said they're working to identify and notify affected consumers. If you are or even suspect you could be one of those affected, it's important to act quickly to protect your information from being used by one of these bad actors. You can: Freeze your credit with all three major credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It's free to do at any time and has no effect on your credit score. Add fraud alerts to your accounts. If you have one on your credit file, businesses must verify your identity before extending any new credit or opening any new accounts in your name. Keep a close eye on your existing accounts, including any suspicious credit card transactions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Politico
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Transparency rules
TALKING TRANSPARENCY — State House and Senate negotiators look like they're on track to pass a rules package for the first time in years. For now, at least. Lawmakers tasked with ironing out the differences between separate proposals the House and Senate passed earlier this year convened a rare, open conference committee meeting Tuesday —their opening attempt to beat back allegations that their legislative machinations lack transparency. And for the most part, negotiators were on the same page — as they pointed out to the small crowd of staff and reporters. 'I think we're both saying the exact same thing, we're just trying to get to it in a different way,' House Majority Leader Mike Moran said at one point. Bickering and bitterness have kept Democrats in the two chambers from reaching agreement on joint rules governing their processes in the past two legislative sessions. But lawmakers moved through the roughly 45-minute meeting Tuesday without much tension, ticking off differences they believed staff could quickly resolve. The stakes are higher this year. Legislative leaders, looking for a way to shake the Legislature's reputation for being ineffective and less-than-transparent (after a rocky end to formal sessions last summer), turned to the rules process to change some of their habits and open up more of their work to the public. Lawmakers are putting in the effort to cultivate that image. Tuesday's meeting was open to the public. And unlike in most conference committee convenings, leaders didn't vote to move the debate behind closed doors after opening remarks. Still, don't expect every back-and-forth to happen in broad daylight. 'It's never gonna be100 percent before the public,' Moran told reporters after the meeting wrapped, 'because you're not going to be in the conversations with our staff.'. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey signs a proclamation naming March 19 as Edith Nourse Rogers Day at 11:30 a.m. at the State House. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attends the Lynn Museum's Women's History Through the Arts reception at 6 p.m. in Lynn. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu delivers her State of the City address at 7 p.m. at MGM Music Hall; Healey attends. FROM THE HUB THE STATE OF THE CITY IS … When Boston Mayor Michelle Wu takes the stage tonight at MGM Music Hall, she won't just be touting her first three-plus years in office; she'll be pitching voters on why they should send her back for four more. Wu plans to 'defend Boston and showcase the city as a leader amidst national uncertainty under the current federal administration,' her office said. (Read: Expect to hear a similar message to the one she delivered during her congressional testimony earlier this month in Washington.). And she'll talk housing affordability, city safety and plans for 'stabilizing Boston Public Schools,' according to the preview from her office. Wu got some good news on that front Tuesday night: The Boston Teachers Union called off a planned protest of the speech after the city reached a tentative three-year contract with the union. — 'Pro-Palestinian protesters rally in Boston Common as bombings in Gaza resume,' by Anna Rubenstein, WBUR: 'Scores of people gathered on Boston Common Tuesday afternoon to protest Israel's renewed bombing in Gaza and demand that the U.S. stop supplying weapons to the Israeli government. Several protesters also held signs demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University and lawful U.S. resident who was arrested by federal immigration agents and is in the process of being deported despite his status as a green card holder.' DATELINE BEACON HILL — 'Democrat Lisa Field is running for Carol Doherty's old state rep seat,' by Emma Rindlisbacher, Taunton Daily Gazette: 'Lisa Field, a Taunton Democrat who works for the Massachusetts Nurses Association as an associate director, has declared her candidacy for Carol Doherty's old state representative seat. 'My dear friend Carol Doherty was a true public servant. She left behind a legacy for us to build upon and I plan to do exactly that,' Field said in a press release.' — 'State's economic development chief says Trump cuts pose 'very serious' threat to Mass.,' by Scott Kirsner, MassLive. MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — 'ICE detains at least 3 in Chelsea,' by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: 'A handcuffed man was taken out of one ICE vehicle and put into another outside Market Basket. A group of three men on a painting job were detained in front of their boss when they were found to be undocumented. One of the busiest intersections by Washington Avenue had several agents outside of an apartment building while people filmed with their phones. These were scenes in Chelsea Tuesday morning, a small city populated by immigrants: about half the people were born in another country.' THE RACE FOR CITY HALL ENDORSEMENT CORNER — The International Longshoremen's Association has endorsed Josh Kraft in his bid for mayor of Boston, according to his campaign. 'Boston deserves a leader who not only sees its potential but also where things are moving in the wrong direction,' ILA International Vice President Bernie O'Donnell said in a statement. 'We believe Josh Kraft is that leader and ready to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Boston.' — 'First candidate emerges for Easthampton mayor,' by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'The campaign to become the Easthampton's next mayor officially kicks off this week, as Lindsi Sekula is the first candidate to announce her intention to become the city's next chief executive officer. Sekula is currently serving as executive assistant in the Easthampton mayor's office, a position she assumed when current Mayor Nicole LaChapelle came into office in 2018. Since then, she has fallen in love with public service and Easthampton's community spirit. Now, she feels ready to contribute to the city in a greater capacity by taking a seat at its helm.' FROM THE DELEGATION FOLLOW THE LEADER — Top Massachusetts Democrats might not agree with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's move to avoid a government shutdown last week, but they aren't calling for his head. 'Obviously, Chuck Schumer and I did not agree. I think Chuck Schumer is wrong,' Sen. Elizabeth Warren told attendees at a Lowell town hall Tuesday night. But Warren didn't call on her Senate colleague to step aside, as some party activists and electeds have. Instead, she turned the conversation to the upcoming debate that will likely determine whether Trump's 2017 tax cuts become permanent. More on Warren's town hall from the Boston Globe. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark similarly avoided any direct calls for Schumer to step aside. 'I think what the American people want us to focus on is not the parlor games of who's in leadership. I leave those decisions up to the senators,' Clark said at a press conference in Malden. — 'Pressley says Democrats should use courts and community to fight against Trump's agenda,' by Amanda Beland and Lisa Mullins, WBUR. — 'Trahan seeks overhaul of federal privacy law,' by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle Tribune: 'U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan is leading a push in Congress to close loopholes in a half-century-old federal privacy law that critics say has allowed the Trump administration to 'weaponize' the personal financial data of tens of millions of Americans. Trahan, D-Westford, on Tuesday released an open 'request for information' letter to civil society, groups, privacy experts, recently fired federal employees and the general public seeking input about potential misuse of the Privacy Act of 1974, which was approved by Congress in response to the Watergate scandal.' FROM THE 413 — 'Springfield department heads trim positions, supplies to balance a nearly $1 billion budget in uncertain times,' by Jeanette DeForge, The Springfield Republican: 'In the first budget hearing of the season, department heads cut positions and shaved money from supplies and utilities to balance a budget in a time when federal funding the state and city depends on is in chaos. The city this year is anticipating a budget that will be 'a shade under' $1 billion with $671 million of the funding going to the schools. This year's budget is $928 million, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Tuesday.' — 'UMass diverting money to new fund that will cover federal funding losses,' by Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette: 'Money targeted for both strategic investments and deferred maintenance on the University of Massachusetts campus is being temporarily diverted to a new account that will ensure research continues uninterrupted, should federal grants and contracts be paused or ended. The creation of the Research Continuity Emergency Matching Fund, also known as ResCoE, was announced in a letter sent to the UMass community late last week by Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Mike Malone, vice chancellor for research and engagement.' THE LOCAL ANGLE — ''It's dire': How Dighton-Rehoboth Superintendent is navigating financial challenges,' by Emma Rindlisbacher, Taunton Daily Gazette. HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Sam Doran has joined Senate President Karen Spilka's office as a budget and policy communications specialist, a new position created to help 'deliver news and information about the Senate's work directly to residents,' according to Spilka's office. He had worked as a reporter for the State House News Service. — Tomás O'Brien has been appointed executive director of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Wilnelia Rivera of Rivera Consulting; Meagan Lee, Jesse Mermell, Jill Abramson, Abigail Webber and Seth Rogovoy.
