Podcasts about massachusetts state senate

The Massachusetts State Senate recently unveiled a new bust in their renovated chambers in the statehouse. It honors Frederick Douglass – a Black civil rights leader who worked to abolish slavery in the United States. The sculpture puts Douglass in the company of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Ben Franklin, and other historical figures. It's the first permanent bust added to the chamber in over 125 years, and it occupies one of two new spots. State Senate President Karen Spilka says the other spot will go to a woman. Today,  Boston Globe Senior Opinion Writer Kimberly Atkins Stohr joins The Common to discuss Maria W. Stewart, a groundbreaking Black Bostonian who she believes should be honored with a bust in the Senate chambers. Greater Boston's daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Florida bolsters its reputation as an anti-LGBTQ state with a new rule — trans residents can no longer update their driver's license with their correct gender identity. Plus, a New Hampshire town manager stepped down after being harassed in an ongoing controversy about an LGBTQ art display. And the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill to repeal several archaic sodomy and anti-trans laws. Those stories and more on Under the Radar's LGBTQ News Roundtable. GUESTS Grace Sterling Stowell, executive director of the Boston Alliance of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Youth, or BAGLY E.J. Graff, journalist, author and managing editor of Good Authority, an independent site publishing insights on political science Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy for GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, or GLAD

Since 1960, Congress has raised, revised or extended the statutory debt ceiling 79 times. The United States reached its debt ceiling in January 2023, prompting a congressional showdown and sparking fears of extreme market volatility and a global recession if the US were to default on its legal obligations. The 2023 debt ceiling crisis ended in June, when President Biden signed legislation that suspended the debt ceiling in exchange for budget cuts. In an interview recorded shortly after Congress reached a deal to suspend the debt ceiling, co-host John Walsh speaks with Senior Counsel Eric Lesser about the circumstances and details of the debt ceiling standoff. Lesser was a White House Aide from 2009 to 2011 and witnessed the buildup to the 2011 debt ceiling crisis firsthand. He also served four terms in the Massachusetts State Senate and was a consultant for seven seasons of the hit HBO comedy Veep. As a Senior Counsel at WilmerHale, Lesser advises clients on a wide range of complex, government-facing matters. Walsh and Lesser discuss the history of the debt ceiling and the run-up to the debt ceiling fight in 2011. They talk about the individual players at the center of the most recent debt ceiling standoff and what these episodes can teach us about the state of American politics today. Lesser also reflects on his role in Veep and his perspective on the political brinksmanship displayed in the debt ceiling negotiations.

This week, the Massachusetts State Senate begins debate on their 2024 budget, with plans to finalize a proposal by the end of the week. And while it's easy to think of a budget as an overwhelming sheet of dollar signs, on Beacon Hill, a budget is a moral document that can tell you a lot about what your elected representatives are prioritizing, and what they're not. Boston Globe Political Reporter Samantha J. Gross joins The Common to walk us through how the Senate plans to spend your tax dollars, and how this plan lines up with the budgets already presented by the governor and House. Greater Boston's daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Please join MitoAction as we welcome Annette Hines, Esq., founding partner of the Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts. Ms. Hines will be speaking on the basics of estate planning and special needs trusts laws in the U.S. Questions to be answered include: What is estate planning? Why should you create a plan for your estate? What does a will do? What is probate, and which assets go through it? What is a trust? What documents are required for incapacity planning? What is a special needs trust, and why would you need one? About the Speaker Ms. Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law and Estate Planning for over fifteen years. She received her JD from Howard University School of Law, her MBA from Suffolk University and her BA from the University of Vermont. Her clients include individuals and families of children with special needs, the elderly and others in the community. Ms. Hines is the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from mitochondrial disease in November of 2013. Her personal experience as the mother of a child with special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her special understanding and dedication to her practice. Prior to practicing law, she founded and directed the nonprofit home care company, Special Families-Special Care, Incorporated which created a new standard for caregiving and a greater pay scale for caregivers. After leading the company to $1.5 million in revenue and 50 employees, she merged it with Shriver Clinical Services Corporation of Natick, Massachusetts and shifted her focus to her law practice. In addition to her membership in the Massachusetts Bar Association, she is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the National Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP) and the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers (MAWL), serving most recently as President. Recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by ARC Massachusetts and cited for public service by both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives, Ms. Hines works tirelessly on behalf of people with disabilities. Ms. Hines served as President of the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers for 2008-2009 and serves on the Board of Directors for a number of local non-profit organizations.

Please join us on as we welcome two experts in the field of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide an overview of these public benefits for Mito patients. Topics to be covered in this conference call include: Overview of SSI and SSDI programs; The differences between SSI and SSDI; Social Security’s definition of disability as it pertains to mitochondrial disease; How SSDI is designed to work, eligibility criteria, and the full range of SSDI benefitts; The application and appeals processes for SSI and SSDI; Resources available to support SSI and SSDI applications and appeals processes; Information on SSI and SSDI benefits for adult disabled children; Returning to work after obtaining social security benefits (the "Ticket to Work Program"); Specific challenges for individuals with mitochondrial disease in applying for SSDI and how to address them; and The benefits of professional representation and how to evaluate representation options. About the Speakers: Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law and Estate Planning for over fifteen years. She received her JD from Howard University School of Law, her MBA from Suffolk University and her BA from the University of Vermont. Her clients include individuals and families of children with special needs, the elderly and others in the community. Ms. Hines is the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from mitochondrial disease in November of 2013. Her personal experience as the mother of a child with special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her special understanding and dedication to her practice. Prior to practicing law, she founded and directed the nonprofit home care company, Special Families-Special Care, Incorporated which created a new standard for caregiving and a greater pay scale for caregivers. After leading the company to $1.5 million in revenue and 50 employees, she merged it with Shriver Clinical Services Corporation of Natick, Massachusetts and shifted her focus to her law practice. In addition to her membership in the Massachusetts Bar Association, she is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the National Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP) and the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers (MAWL), serving most recently as President. Recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by ARC Massachusetts and cited for public service by both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives, Ms. Hines works tirelessly on behalf of people with disabilities. Ms. Hines served as President of the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers for 2008-2009 and serves on the Board of Directors for a number of local non-profit organizations. Tai Venuti has more than 20 years of health education, marketing, sales, community and public relations experience in nonprofit, government and corporate arenas. As Allsup's manager of strategic alliances, she develops and grows relationships with organizations that share the company's commitment to empowering people with disabilities to live lives as financially secure and healthy as possible. Ms. Venuti is a former journalist and public relations executive. She previously managed national public health campaigns for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a master's degree in public health from St. Louis University, a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University, and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.

Robyn is a lifelong Worcester resident, with many years of experience in local and statewide projects and initiatives. She has an impressive career of supporting our community and working for and with the public directly. When Harriet Chandler announced she was stepping down, Robyn knew it was her time to step up. Come learn with us about why she's running, what makes her qualified for the position, and ultimately why she thinks she's the best option running for State Senate. Learn more about Robyn's campaign on her website: https://kennedy4senate.com Listen, Like, Rate, Subscribe, Duh.

The radio show opens with the State House Report featuring an update from State Senator Mike Brady. Suzanne Giovanetti, Chief Executive Officer of the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless is joined by Therese Murray, Former President of the Massachusetts State Senate and Local Business Owner Peter Brown discuss the importance of the organization. Michelle McGrath, Founding President of McGrath PR with a Summer Season Arts, Culture and Entertainment preview. The show's final guest is comedian and entertainer, Dave Russo.   Do you have an topic for a future show or info on an upcoming community event? Email us at mondaynighttalk@gmail.com. If you're a fan of the show and enjoy our segments, you can either download your favorite segment from this site or subscribe to our podcasts through iTunes today!  © Monday Night Talk with Kevin Tocci - 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the show host and/or owner is strictly prohibited.  

(00:00) Joe Murray and Dan Lifshatz are the Bankroll Boys and join Toucher & Rich for their weekly segment. The 2022 NFL Draft is TONIGHT and the Boys have betting odds. (12:01) Massachusetts State Senate to debate legalized sports betting. Bucks vs Celtics opening predictions, odds, lines and spread. (27:01) 76ers head coach Doc Rivers defends past playoff team collapses as pressure mounts before Game 6.   CONNECT WITH TOUCHER & RICH Twitter:@Toucherandrich||@fredtoucher||@KenGriffeyRules Instagram:@Toucherandrichofficial ||@fredtoucher Twitch:twitch.tv/thesportshub 98.5 The Sports Hub:Website||Twitter||Facebook||Instagram

It is tax time! Annette Hines, host of Parenting Impossible-The Special Needs Survival Podcast and her favorite guest, law partner and husband, Mark Worthington tackle the four top questions people ask about tax preparation and tax reporting. Can I claim my adult child as a dependent? If I charge my adult child room and board when they are living with me, is that taxable income to me? And how does this impact their Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Taxation of special needs trust and SECURE Act updates. How are caregiver payments such as Adult Family Care (AFC) and Personal Care Attendant (PCA) taxed to the recipient? Can you imagine the dinner table conversation at their home!? We are so lucky they love talking about taxes and simplifying what can be complicated information. So please join Annette Hines and Mark Worthington as they answer these important and popular tax questions asked by our disability community. Annette Hines is the founding partner of Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC, and has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for over twenty years. Her clients include individuals and families of children with special needs, the elderly, and others in the community. She received her BA from the University of Vermont, her MBA from Suffolk University, and her JD from Howard University School of Law. Ms. Hines was recently presented the NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) Theresa Award for 2021 by the Theresa Foundation in recognition of her outstanding efforts and advocacy for individuals with special needs. She has been recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by ARC Massachusetts and cited for public service by both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives for her work on behalf of people with disabilities. Ms. Hines was designated a 2016 Top Women of Law from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list every year since 2014. Mark Worthington is Senior Counsel at Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, P.C. Mark received his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (as certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (Massachusetts does not recognize legal specialties for certification)) and past President (2007) of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mark has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list every year since 2008. In 2018 he stepped down as full-time Professor of Law and Director of the Graduate (LL.M.) Program in Elder Law and Estate Planning at Western New England University School of Law to practice full-time with Special Needs Law Group. He continues as an Adjunct Professor in the LL.M. Program. He has also taught at Northeastern in the J.D. Program. Mark is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and before the United States Supreme Court.

AAA reports gas prices are down six cents a gallon since last week, but that doesn't mean they aren't still high, and Republicans in the Massachusetts State Senate want you to pay less, at least for a while.

On today's episode of Zoomed In, Jack and Aaron (that's us!) talk about the Ukraine/Russia conflict as well as Republican hypocrisy towards President Biden. We continue the episode by interview Massachusetts State Senate candidate Sydney Levin-Epstein. We finish off by discussing the tweets of the week! Tune in every Wednesday for new episodes of Zoomed In! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | STITCHER | AUDIBLE Meg wheeler is a CPA and Biz Money Coach, who teaches online educators, service providers and small business owners how to set up, manage and master the financial aspects of their businesses. Meg has nearly 10 years of experience in public accounting, international tax, and tax structuring. Meg is the hostess of the Elected Podcast, the former 2020 Democratic nominee for Massachusetts State Senate and an outspoken advocate for social and racial justice, climate action and economic equity. Meg dives into her background and journey that led her to becoming a CPA and also talks about what it was like running for Massachusetts State Senate. She talks about her work advocating for social and racial justice, climate action and economic equity and why it is so important to her. Meg talks about her offerings as a CPA and Business Financial Coach and touches on some of the top things her clients come to her for. She also discusses what recommendations she has for small business owners when it comes to managing the financial aspects of their business as well as the top things small businesses should be thinking about. Meg also talks through her tips and tricks to help prep for tax season. We dive into Meg's online course and she talks about what the course creation process was like as well as what tools she uses. Lastly we discuss something Meg has struggled with in her own business. links + resources WHERE TO FIND MEG WHEELER website on instagram on facebook THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Today's episode is brought to you by Canva Pro. Many of you know that my background is in graphic design. I currently still handle all of the design here at The Collective Co. everything from our social media graphics to our outreach templates and website design. But I want to let you in on a new tool that I've started using. I almost exclusively now use Canva Pro for all of my design needs. It has made it so easy for me to set up our brand elements and create templates so that when I need something quickly made I can jump right in. Canva pro is filled with pre-designed templates, fonts, graphics and even photographs that all seamlessly come together. It is one of the tools I use at The Collective Co. almost daily and I can't recommend it enough. As a designer I almost feel like I'm cheating but it is that easy to create beautiful branded elements for your business. Click here for a free trial get started with Canva Pro today!  

The Massachusetts State Senate recently approved a bill that ensures law enforcement officers' K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport in ambulances if they are injured in the line of duty. The bill, known as Nero's Law, was drafted in response to the shooting that claimed the life of Yarmouth Police K-9 Sgt. Sean Gannon, and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero. … This week our hosts, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, explore the impact such legislation could have and why veterinary professionals should be more involved. … Dr. Ward pledges his full support of Nero's Law and expresses his surprise when he discovered the the majority of US states don't allow injured law enforcement K-9's to be transported in “human” ambulances. … Beckie shares her concern that veterinary clinics be fully integrated into the assistance of injured police K-9's, including communicating and alerting emergency clinics of pending arrivals and for guidance on life-saving treatments. … Dr. Ward also encourages states to provide clear guidance on treating law enforcement K-9s exposed to narcotics and emergency administration of drugs such as naloxone. … Both discuss how the “devil is in the details” with this sort of legislation, and offer many tips to make the law more meaningful and helpful. And, yes, it starts with veterinary professionals! … Viewfinders, what do you think about this proposed law? What are your state's rules and regulations regarding injured police dogs?

The Massachusetts State Senate passed Nero's Law in a 38-0 vote. WBZ NewsRadio's Tim Dunn reports:

We break it all down with Richard Tisei, former Republican leader of the Massachusetts State Senate and former Republican candidate for Congress, and Tito Jackson, former Boston City Councilor and now CEO of Verdant Medical, a cannabis company.

Senator Paul Feeney from the Massachusetts State Senate joined us on Mupdates to share updates on what he's been working on, what's coming up, and a message to the Medfield community. Specifically, he discusses recent work in the Legislature including the FY22 Budget, the redistricting process, and the upcoming distribution of the American Rescue Plan funding.

We hope to be here to support our kids for a long time; but, we won't be here for all of their lifetime.Mentorships in Education is brought to you by Just Education, LLC and is hosted by Judith Epstein. Judi has a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Language Acquisition. She is certified in special education with post-graduate coursework and professional development in Cognitive Behavior therapy (CBT), Social Thinking, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Judi created Just Education, LLC and its podcast component, to compile a free resource library for mentors of students who struggle and address a wide variety of topics that are all related to education and student success.Connect With Annette M. HinesAddress: 20 Speen Street, Ste 101, Framingham, MA 01701   Telephone Number: 508-861-3453Special Needs CompaniesSpecial Needs Law Group Secure Act WebinarCircle of Care Facebook GroupAutism Housing Pathways  Annette's Book: Butterflies and Second Chances: A Mom's Memoir of Love and LossFederation for Children with Special Needs About Annette M. HinesAnnette M. Hines is the founding partner of Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC and has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law and Estate Planning for over twenty years. Her clients include individuals and families of children with special needs, the elderly and others in the community. She received her BA for the University of Vermont, her MBA from Suffolk University, and her JD from Howard University School of Law. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice, as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to the practice. In April 2019 she published Butterflies and Second Chances, a beautiful memoir about her life raising her disabled daughter, which was an Amazon best seller. Ms. Hines is the recipient of the 2021 NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) Theresa Award by the Theresa Foundation in recognition of her outstanding efforts and advocacy for individuals with special needs. She has been recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by ARC Massachusetts and cited for public service by both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives for her work on behalf of people with disabilities. She was designated a 2016 Top Women of Law from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and has been designated a Massachusetts Super Lawyer every year since 2014.CONNECT WITH USConnect with Judi Our website and podcasts are available hereJudi on Linkedin

We break it all down with Richard Tisei, former Republican leader of the Massachusetts State Senate, and Arline Isaacson, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus.

We discuss the week's news and take listener calls with Tito Jackson, former Boston City Councilor and current CEO of Verdant Medical, and Richard Tisei, former Republican leader of the Massachusetts State Senate and a former Republican candidate for Congress.

Plus, the Massachusetts State Senate is considering a climate bill six months in the making, with little time left in the legislative session.

In this week's episode, my friend Annette Hines stops by talk to about homeschooling vs online learning. We discuss the differences between homeschooling, distance learning, and remote learning. We even talk about unschooling as well. As parents, we need to know that we have rights when it comes to our children's education. Our children have rights as well. With COVID interfering with the reopening of schools this Fall, we need to know our homeschooling vs online learning options. Annette helps us to understand our rights as parents. Moreover, she explains the differences between homeschooling vs online learning options. Annette M. Hines is the founding partner of Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC. She has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for over twenty years. Her clients include individuals and families of children with special needs, the elderly, and others in the community. She received her BA for the University of Vermont, her MBA from Suffolk University, and her JD from Howard University School of Law. Annette brings personal experience with special needs to her practice, as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to the practice. In April 2019 she published Butterflies and Second Chances, a beautiful memoir about her life raising her disabled daughter, which was an Amazon best seller. Recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by ARC Massachusetts and cited for public service by both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives, Annette works tirelessly on behalf of people with disabilities. She was designated a 2016 Top Women of Law from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and has been designated a Massachusetts Super Lawyer every year since 2014. Annette's Links:https://specialneeds-law.com/about-us/390-2/ (Special Needs Law) https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/parentingimpossible (Parenting Impossible: The Special Needs Survival Podcast) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/154451266X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=154451266X&linkCode=as2&tag=robgorski-20&linkId=04b75f025aa45bbb6b1213b01d2bea93 (Butterflies and Second Chances: A Mom's Memoir of Love and Loss) https://my.captivate.fm/twitter.com/AnnetteHines15 (Twitter) Please remember that self-care is more important than ever. It's not easy but we have to do our best to look after ourselves. Please listen and share with anyone that could benefit. All my information and relevant links are https://www.liinks.co/theautismdad (here) SponsorsThis episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children's. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit https://www.theautismdad.com/2018/08/28/kids-learn-self-regulation-through-gaming-with-mightier-review/ (theautismdad.com/mightier) and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial. This episode is brought to you by Hero Health. HERO is a smart automatic pill dispenser that dramatically improves medication management and compliance. Learn more at http://theautismdad.com/hero (theautismdad.com/hero) and use code “theautismdad50” to save $50.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices (megaphone.fm/adchoices) Mentioned in this episode: BrainyAct BrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger's, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child's balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first

Our panelists are: Marie St. Fleur, a former Massachusetts State Representative, and Richard Tisei, former Republican leader of the Massachusetts State Senate. 

This month's episode of The Bridge features an insightful conversation between Chelsea Kline and Kate Manne on how women encounter and deal with misogyny in their daily lives. Chelsea Kline is a long time champion for women's rights and social justice and in 2018 she ran a fierce campaign for the Massachusetts State Senate, where she won 41% of the vote. Kate Manne is an associate professor at the Sage School of Philosophy at Cornell University and author of two books on the nature, function and persistence of misogyny: Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny and Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women. this month's episode, Chelsea and Kate join host Peggy Clark, Vice President of the Aspen Institute and Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group, to discuss the logic of misogyny, how misogyny affects their lives, and what they recommend to face misogyny. This month's episode was recorded live the Omega Institute's Women and Power: Gathering Our Strength conference in Rhinebeck, New York. The Bridge Podcast pairs wise women of different generations in revelatory conversations about what matters most. Download the newest episode of Season 3 of The Bridge, and tune into other Bridge episodes from Season 1 and Season 2 on your favorite podcast app. Learn more about The Bridge podcast and other programs at https://www.aspenglobalinnovators.org/.

Electoral politics has always been a career option for attorneys. The halls of Congress and state houses across the country are filled with elected officials who have earned their law degrees.  Legal training helps legislators understand how the bills they want to pass fit into a broader legal context.  Having a JD gives you credibility to run for office.  But what are the options for attorneys who are considering a run for public office. How does being in public office differ from the practice of law?  How does law school prepare you for being a legislator? In this episode, I speak with State Senator Becca Rausch of Massachusetts.  Senator Rausch and I discuss careers in public office and what it has been like for her to leave the practice of law to become a legislator in the higher chamber of the Massachusetts State Legislature.  We talk about her decision to seek public office, what was the path for winning the election, what was it like to come to the State House and what have been her legislative priorities since joining the Senate. I ask her what advice she has for attorneys who are aspiring for public office. Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District of the Massachusetts State Senate which covers cities and towns from Wayland in the north to Attleboro in the South. Prior to joining the Senate, Becca was an associate attorney at two mid-sized firms in Boston, taught civil procedure and health law as a visiting faculty member at Seattle University School of Law, and served as the first ever Secretariat e-discovery attorney in the history of the Massachusetts executive branch.

The Massachusetts State Senate released a bill today sponsored by Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) that would implement a statewide ban on all carry-out plastic bags at retail stores. Ostensibly the bill is to protect the environment, but the bill requires retailers to charge at least 10 cents for a paper bag five cents of which goes back to the city or town. Is this really just a way to fill up local government coffers?

The Massachusetts State Senate released a bill today sponsored by Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) that would implement a statewide ban on all carry-out plastic bags at retail stores. Ostensibly the bill is to protect the environment, but the bill requires retailers to charge at least 10 cents for a paper bag five cents of which goes back to the city or town. Is this really just a way to fill up local government coffers?

Councilor Matt O'Malley chats with Senator Eric Lesser about his path to public service, including campaigning for Governor Deval Patrick and President Barack Obama, then working in the White House. Senator Lesser represents nine communities in the First Hampden & Hampshire District in the Massachusetts State Senate.  Tune in to hear Senator Lesser's favorite green spaces and go-to restaurants in the district.  Follow Senator Lesser and Councilor O'Malley on Twitter.

Becca Rausch is a lawyer, a candidate for Massachusetts State Senate, and a professional dancer. She tells us how that background in performance has helped her become a much better speaker. (Hint: It's all choreography!) She talks about how her activism, her family, and experiencing anti-semitism as a student helped shape her candidacy. And, she gives a secret remedy for calming ourselves right at the podium.

It's the last pre-election edition on Viewfinder, the podcast that keeps Winchester in focus, and this week we talk to both the candidates for Massachusetts State Senate for the 31st Middlesex District. First up is Caroline Colarusso followed by Michael Day. The candidates speak directly about the biggest issues in Winchester today. Then we are joined by Melissa Russell of The Winchester Star for our Winchester Headlines segment, topics this week include a truck striking a home in Winchester, the success of early voting and much more.

Chris is joined by co-host Ryan Stanley and special guest Greg Howes, candidate for Massachusetts State Senate. They discuss issues and challenges of the upcoming election on this week's "Something More."

We will be talking with Mara Dolan, Massachusetts State Senate  candidate, 3rd Middlesex District. We will also be discussing the new WSJ/NBC poll that shows MittRomney gaining ground, especially w/ tea partiers. Last but not least, Mitt Romney told President Obama to implement the Federal Health Care mandate in an op-ed for USA Today back in 2009.

This is the .mp3 version of Episode 4, which features a "What's on Your Kindle?" interview with Bill Bulger, 74, in active retirement after serving for 17 years as president of the Massachusetts State Senate and seven years as president of the University of Massachusetts.