March 2006 Headlines
State honors 13 who chose to leave families
At 67, she has cancer: it started in a lung and spread to her liver, a bad back, a bad arm and the after-effects of a stroke. (By Matt Lynch, 03/31/06)
HOW OLD IS OLD ENOUGH?
Parents, teens differ on need to raise driving age
Stephanie Fernandes, a 15-year-old sophomore at Quincy High School, turns 16 next month and her mother is already scared. (By Matt Lynch, 03/30/06)
Business opinion on wage bill mixed
As the Legislature debates an increase in the state's minimum wage, businesses also are expressing different opinions about the issue. (By Matt Lynch, 03/27/06)
Prosecutor up for Dedham judgeship
A prosecutor who helped put away two priests found guilty of sexual molestation is being considered for associate justice in Dedham District Court. (By Jesica Scarpati, 03/30/06)
Proposal could boost funding for libraries
New legislation could increase state funding for public libraries by partly matching private donations with some public funds. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/27/06)
Couple likely to get liquor license
A bill passed yesterday on Beacon Hill means Milford may soon get a seventh retail outlet for beer and wine. (By David Undercoffler, 03/24/06)
After-school lobbyists rally at State House
Over a hundred educators and youth advocates flooded Beacon Hill yesterday to urge lawmakers to include $13 million in state funding in their budget for after-school programs. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/24/06)
Bill would have state match library donations
New legislation could increase state money for public libraries by partly matching private donations with some public money. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/23/06)
Teen moms rally for basics of life
Kayla Phillips of Pittsfield got pregnant when she was 15. Now, at 16, she breast feeds her 2-month-old daughter between GED classes at the Teen Parent Program and sleeps on her sister's couch. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/22/06)
Driving, dialing law nears
Lawmakers yesterday brought Massachusetts one step closer to banning drivers from using hand-held cell phones. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/16/06)
Milford schools already address bullying
Local administrators and teachers say a bill moving through the state Legislature addressing the issue of bullying in schools isn’t necessary. (By David Undercoffler, 03/17/06)
State looks to expedite permit process
Commercial developers may speed through the permitting process with fewer delays and costs under a bill being considered at the State House. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/16/06)
Teen drivers face possible cell phone ban
Lawmakers on Wednesday brought Massachusetts one step closer to banning teen drivers from talking on cell phones, and putting lesser phone restrictions on their parents. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/16/06)
Bill targets motorists with cell phones; Lawmakers considering prohibition proposal
Massachusetts motorists who use cell phones while driving might have to start paying more than roaming charges. (By Matt Lynch, 03/16/06)
Ending time limits on child sex cases is goal of new bill
A Weymouth lawyer and a Quincy legislator are leading the charge in the effort to do away with time limits on bringing sexual abuse charges. (By Matt Lynch, 03/15/06)
Hearing today on sex-abuse case statute
A Statehouse hearing was scheduled this afternoon on a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual-abuse crimes against minors.(By Jim Bildner, 03/14/06)
Ex-senator trades Fla. sun for classroom
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and his wife bucked the trend and moved from Florida to Massachusetts after he retired. (By Matt Lynch, 03/08/06)
Dams may face more scrutiny
The 10 dams in the Milford area -- along with all other dams across Massachusetts -- may face tough new safety regulations thanks to a bill making its way through the Legislature. (By David Undercoffler, 03/06/06)
Senate OKs parental access bill: State was violating federal law allowing noncustodial mom, dad to see child’s school records
After months of political wrangling, the efforts of a Milford father paid off last week when the state Senate unanimously passed a bill granting noncustodial parents access to their child’s school records. (By David Undercoffler, 03/03/06)
House unanimous in privacy vote: Members OK bill limiting insurers’ access to car data recorders
Consumer privacy advocates have scored a victory with a unanimous vote in the House for a bill limiting insurance companies’ access to so-called black-box data recorders found in many new cars. (By David Undercoffler, 03/03/06)
Cub Scouts' flag makes Statehouse debut
The Cub Scouts of Cheshire Pack 31 had little idea what impact they would have when they designed a town flag for the Statehouse. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/03/06)
Women rally for more sex-assault funds
More than 50 women gathered at the Statehouse yesterday to rally for an increase of over $7 million in this year's state budget for rape crisis centers and services. (By Natalia Pelayo, 03/03/06)
Christy Mihos faces an uphill battle as he bolts the Republican Party and strikes out on his own
Christy Mihos faces a challenge no other candidate for governor in the past century has overcome: winning the office as an independent. (By Matt Lynch, 03/02/06)
Pol pushes for eating disorder legislation
Mary walks into a room and all eyes turn to her. Until five years ago, people used to see a tall and thin blonde with a contagious smile.
(By Jessica Scarpati, 03/02/06)
Animal activists rally against dog racing, slots
More than 100 animal activists met at the Statehouse yesterday to make it clear they oppose greyhound racing and attempts to bolster the racing industry by allowing slot machines at the state's dog and horse racetracks.(By Natalia Pelayo, 03/01/06)
Local legislator to lead group on Pakistan trip
A South Shore legislator will be packing his bags later this month for a most unlikely destination: Pakistan. (By Matt Lynch, 03/01/06)
Bill proposes exempt from prosecution for school employees
School bus drivers and monitors would not be liable for the death or injury to a child they aid in a medical emergency under a bill being considered at the State House. (By Jessica Scarpati, 03/01/06)