Massachusetts politics

After the Safe Communities Act died in the last legislative session, several progressive candidates made the immigration reform legislation a plank in their platforms as they sought seats in last year’s Democratic primaries.

Governor Charlie Baker has announced an education finance proposal that would fund the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission in the fiscal year 2020 state budget.

State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz announced an education finance reform bill Wednesday that would create a guaranteed minimum level of funding for all districts in the state, as well as implement recommendations from the state’s Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC).

During an interview in the News Café at the main branch of the Boston Public Library the day after the ceremony, the Byron Rushing looked back on an electoral career that spanned enormous changes in politics and economics, both locally and nationally. That arc took him to the leadership ranks in the Legislature, his elevation to Assistant Majority Leader coming as African Americans and Latinos tripled their ranks in the House.

As state Rep. Nika Elugardo steps into her new role at the State House, she says she has already begun to turn her policy platform into a legislative agenda.

The year 2018 brought in sweeping political changes in Boston, mirroring a surge of progressive electoral activism that propelled left-of-center women of color — including Boston’s own Ayanna Pressley — into the national spotlight and into congress.

Educators across the state launched a grassroots campaign this week to put pressure on the Legislature to address the $1.5 billion funding deficit in state public school spending.

Wilnelia Rivera tapped into her years of campaign management experience to help assemble a top-notch team for Ayanna Pressley, including a campaign manager, finance director, organizers, field director and political director.

As the Democratic candidate, Rachael Rollins will likely make people uncomfortable if she beats out Republican Mike Maloney on November 6. Her now-famous list of 15 petty crimes she will not prosecute as DA, which includes instances like trespassing and disorderly conduct, gained support from President Barack Obama and The New Yorker magazine while drawing criticism from Boston police and local newspapers.

Prominent Republicans are reluctant to restrain a defiant presidency. There are few ways for voters to express their disapproval. One tactic is to vote a straight Democratic ticket as a rejection of what the Republican Party has become.

Interfaith organizations and community groups hosted Massachusetts’ attorney general, gubernatorial and district attorney candidates and City Councilor Kim Janey in a forum on immigration, healthcare and affordable housing Oct. 22.