Governor Signs ‘Grand Bargain”

On June 28 Governor Charlie Baker signed the compromise bill worked out by legislative, business and labor leaders called the “grand bargain”. The new law makes important changes in minimum wage and overtime laws, and establishes an annual sales tax holiday. Read Full Article

Committee on Grand Jury Proceedings Proposes Best Practices in Grand Jury Proceedings

The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court today announced that the Committee on Grand Jury Proceedings has submitted its Final Report to the Justices in which it proposes best practices with respect to grand jury presentments. Read Full Article

Divided They Rule

As the U.S Supreme Court Wraps up its 2017-18 term this week the Justices have released a number of 5-4 decisions on issue such as the administration’s “travel ban” and government regulation of speech. To read the opinions, pleadings and analysis, as well as previews of the next term go to SCOTUSblog. Read Full Article

Supreme Judicial Court struck down an initiative petition known as the Fair Share Amendment

On Monday, the Supreme Judicial Court struck down an initiative petition known as the Fair Share Amendment which sought to amend art. 44 of the Massachusetts Constitution. The proposal was slated for this November’s election and would have allowed raising the tax on incomes above $1 million (the “Millionaire’s Tax”), with the new revenue to be dedicated for the purposes of education and transportation. Read Full Article

Trial Court Leaders Announce Reappointment of Massachusetts Probation Service Commissioner Edward J. Dolan

Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey and Court Administrator Jonathan S. Williams today announced that they have reappointed Edward J. Dolan as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Probation Service. Commissioner Dolan was first appointed in June of 2013. Read Full Article