Lexington's State Senator Backs Asian American Commission

State Sen. Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, has filed an amendment to fund the Massachusetts Asian American Commission.

New Push For August Meals Tax Holiday

The state's Restaurant and Business Alliance said there was "no sign of opposition" at a hearing this week.

The Joint Committee on Revenue in the Massachusetts legislature held a hearing this week on the notion of a potential meals tax holiday for August and one supporting group is liking its chances. According to the state's Restaurant and Business Alliance (R.A.B.A), the hearing held Tuesday for the Meals Tax Holiday Bill saw "no sign of opposition" to the measure. Twelve legislators have signed on to the bill primarily sponsored by Rep. Keiko Orrall of Lakeville and Sen. Michael O. Moore of Millbury. If passed, the legislation would go into effect from Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15. "We should offer a Meals Tax Holiday to benefit employees and small local business owners inside Massachusetts to help stimulate the economy," said …

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State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Three's Company

Recap and analysis of the week in state government.

Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot.  Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …

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LETTER: 2020 Vision Committee Says 'Thanks' for Survey Participation

Responses being analyzed now.

To the Editor, The Lexington 2020 Vision Committee is pleased to announce that its town-wide vision survey conducted earlier this year is now complete and the responses are currently being analyzed. We are delighted with the positive response of the Lexington community and would like to thank all those who participated. The findings of this survey will be broadly shared with the community at large and will serve to guide the 2020 Vision Committee in identifying areas deserving review.   For further information, please contact Candy McLaughlin, Town Manager’s Office 781-862-0500, ext. 244. The Lexington 2020 Vision Committee is: Chuck Benson Marian Cohen Margaret Coppe Andrew Dixon Peter Enrich Bhumip Khasnabish Dan Krupka Peter Lee Joe …

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DPW Day is Next Week

Got young kids who love trucks? Then you'll want to mark your calendars.

Next Thursday, May 23, Lexington's Department of Public Works will celebrate National Public Works Week by hosting its annual "DPW Day."  From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, the DPW will offer several activities geared toward children, like using a metal detector, operating a surveyor's transit, exploring the growth cycle of trees and learning to compost in the backyard, according to an announcement.  Among the attractions for kids, according ot the DPW website, include:  And, of course, the kids can climb on the DPW equipment, which is always a favorite among the little ones. Meanwhile, parents and children alike are able to chat with DPW staff in an informal setting to learn more about the board range …

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Barrett Hails Progress on Rare Diseases

To raise awareness for rare diseases, state Sen. Mike Barrett presented an official citation to leaders of the Hereditary Angioedema Association alongside executives of Shire, a drug manufacturer with a headquarters here in Lexington.

Is Massachusetts Bad for Business?

Results from a recent executive survey ranked Massachusetts 47th for business.

A CEO magazine ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in the nation for business. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Massachusetts 47th based on a survey of corporate leaders. Survey respondents reported the Bay State is one of the worst for taxation and regulation. The state Republican Party is pointing to the survey and saying that Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic-led Legislature are bad for the economy and business. What do you think about Massachusetts’ business climate? Is this a good state in which to do business?

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Wanders 365

8:38 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I work for an MSS company and moved recently from the west coast. Been here about two years and I must say the lifestyle, education, business climate and environment are as good as anyone could ask for. MA seems to have weathered a significant recession pretty well. Streets are still swept, people are busy...Some feel the taxes and regulations are burdensome and I guess they move to NH?   more ›

Mother's Day Weekend: Heaviest Traffic Day of the Year, Again?

Last year, the Friday before Mother's Day was the heaviest traffic day of the year on the Mass Pike.

  Mother's Day Weekend (and warm-ish weather) is upon us, and so will be throngs of people trying to flee town, especially on the Mass Pike or heading to the Cape. Turnpike toll transactions statistics from 2012 ranked the Friday before Mother’s Day as the heaviest traffic day on the Pike with more than 363,000 transactions logged between Interstate 95/Route 128 and the New York border. Friday nights in warm weather months accounted for the rest of the top 20 heaviest travel days on the Pike last year: This weekend, heaviest traffic is expected Friday and Sunday afternoons and early evenings.  So MassDOT (Massachusetts Department of Transportation) officials are encouraging drivers to make travel plans accordingly and, if possible, avoid …

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Markey Leads Gomez in New Suffolk/WHDH Poll

Congressman leads Gabriel Gomez by 17 points.

A new Suffolk University/7NEWS (WHDH) poll shows a strong lead for Democratic U.S. Congressman Edward Markey over Republican businessman and former U.S. Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez in the race for the U.S. Senate special election. The poll of 500 likely voters has Markey at 52 percent and Gomez at 35 percent. Eleven percent of voters in the poll were undecided. A third-party candidate, Richard Heos of the Twelve Visions Party, got 1 percent and another 1 percent refused to respond. David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston, said along with the announcement of the poll that Markey has "a large lead over his Republican opponent who voters are unsure about." Indeed, 32 percent of those polled said …

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