The Boston Research Bureau weighs in on Wu tax plan, pouring cold water on city proposal to hike commercial tax rates while office sector struggles with high vacancy rates. commonwealthbeacon.org/government/wat…

Senate President Karen Spilka wants a statute of a noted woman with Massachusetts ties in the State House. Joyce Linehan (Joyce Linehan) says Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, would be a great choice. commonwealthbeacon.org/economy/france…

Top story in today's #Download :

Mass. higher ed sector facing stiff headwinds; enrollment decline, demographics, and sagging public confidence frame challenge.

More from Michael Jonas.
commonwealthbeacon.org/education/mass…

commonwealthbeacon.org/education/is-t…

There are campaign finance moves that skirt state law and get called out by regulators, and then there is what state Rep. Chris Flanagan did. Gintautas Dumcius has the jaw-dropping tale. commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/cape-…

ICYMI from Michael Jonas: Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden admitted to violating state ethics law and paid a $5,000 civil penalty in connection with action his office took during the heated 2022 campaign for the DA’s seat.

commonwealthbeacon.org/criminal-justi…

NEW in CommonWealth Beacon: The shadowy think tank fighting Boston City Hall
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/the-s…

Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt lays out her priorities, basically more money, speeding tickets, and housing. On the money front, she’s looking at lots of things, including new border tolls – “basically going after everybody who has money.” commonwealthbeacon.org/transportation…

The immigrant/migrants issue, which was barely a blip on the public’s radar two years ago, is now the top issue facing state government, according to a CommonWealth Beacon/GBH News poll of Massachusetts residents. commonwealthbeacon.org/by-the-numbers…

Massachusetts is examining whether to start tolling drivers when they cross its border from neighboring states, per the transportation secretary

Wouldn't be popular in RI, that's for sure commonwealthbeacon.org/transportation…

Drs. Shira Doron and Westyn Branch-Elliman applaud the state for moving on from COVID by eliminating a five-day isolation rule – one of the last pandemic mitigation measures. commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/moving…

A new CommonWealth Beacon/GBH News poll shows 50% of Mass. residents favor legalizing teachers' strikes, while 34% say they should remain illegal. The biggest support comes from the youngest age group - those 18-29 - 64% of whom favor legalizing walkouts. commonwealthbeacon.org/by-the-numbers…

Imagine the Marathon being run today!

And to hear from the man himself, here is the most recent in-depth interview with Gov. Dukakis, done at his home last November, when he turned 90. commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/at-90…

Seen accounts of yesterday's feting of Michael Dukakis at Northeastern U.? Here is probably the most recent in-depth interview with him, done at his home in November when he turned 90. #mapoli commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/at-90…

On a brand new Red Line train! Going 2 miles per hour. Must be a word for this.

Don't look for any mention of prices in this advertorial-ish preview of new Fenway food offerings. bostonglobe.com/2024/04/08/spo…

🚨 According to a new CommonWealth Beacon/GBH News poll conducted by MassINC Polling, MA residents are deeply concerned about political tensions and the prospect of violence as the '24 presidential election approaches.

More from Adam Reilly.
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/major…

Hey friends, we have a new Massachusetts poll for CommonWealth Beacon and GBH News rolling out this week and next. Some stories will be cross posted, others will have bylines between the two organizations. I'll be on Morning Edition in a few talking over the first set of results.

🟡 Your Friday Political Notebook via me and Michael Jonas in CommonWealth Beacon

🤝 Facebook frenemies
🚧 West End ghosts
🛤️ Missing the Trump train
commonwealthbeacon.org/politics/polit…