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Government & Politics

  • Worcester Airport extends free parking for summer

    Ellie Lester June 23, 2022

    In anticipation of a robust summer travel season, Massachusetts Port Authority announced it will offer free parking at Worcester Regional Airport through Sept. 30. 

    Ellie Lester June 23, 2022
  • SJC upholds Healey's income surtax description

    Colin A. Young, State House News Service June 23, 2022

    The Supreme Judicial Court rejected the latest legal challenge to the blockbuster ballot question asking voters if they support a new surtax on household income above $1 million, ruling Wednesday that the summary Attorney General Maura Healey has

    Colin A. Young, State House News Service June 23, 2022
  • Worcester to explore harsher penalties for business tax break violations

    Timothy Doyle and Brad Kane June 22, 2022

    The Worcester City Council on Tuesday formally requested for the acting city manager to develop potential penalties for businesses who violate the agreements of their property tax breaks.

    Timothy Doyle and Brad Kane June 22, 2022
  • Legislature to consider child care bill, as concerns about workforce grow

    Katie Lannan from State House News Service June 21, 2022

    A child care bill will soon emerge in the state Senate, President Karen Spilka said Tuesday as she lamented the cost and access challenges around early education and care and the pandemic's drag on women's participation in the workforce.

    Katie Lannan from State House News Service June 21, 2022
  • Central Mass. home prices continue drastic climb, up 9% in Worcester County

    Timothy Doyle June 21, 2022

    The median price of a single-family home in Worcester County rose to $417,000 in May, up 8.9% over May 2021, while the number of homes sold dropped over 7.6% over the same period, according to data released Tuesday by Peabody firm The Warren Group.

    Timothy Doyle June 21, 2022
  • D.C. firm invests in historic Main St. apartment building

    Timothy Doyle June 20, 2022

    Washington, D.C. property investor Kuma Realty is executing on Central Massachusetts expansion plans with a $1.8-million purchase of a three-story multi-family dwelling built in 1880 and once dubbed one of the worst properties in Worcester.

    Timothy Doyle June 20, 2022
  • Spherion Staffing opens location in Auburn

    Ellie Lester June 20, 2022

    Atlanta-based recruiting and staffing enterprise Spherion Staffing and Recruiting has opened it newest location at 48 Sword Street in Auburn, owned by franchisee Brian Palaia, the former Dunstable city manager Brian Palaia. 

    Ellie Lester June 20, 2022
  • Worcester Registry of Deeds signs 10-year lease in Mercantile Center

    Timothy Doyle June 20, 2022

    The Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has signed a new 10-year lease agreement for 15,859 square feet in the Mercantile Center.

    Timothy Doyle June 20, 2022
  • If Roe falls: Central Mass. abortion providers plan for the anticipated reversal of federal protections

    Laura Finaldi Updated: June 20, 2022

    The right to an abortion is codified into Massachusetts law, even if Roe v. Wade gets overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court later this summer.

    Laura Finaldi Updated: June 20, 2022
  • Fewer medical centers in Central Mass. are competing directly anymore

    Stephen Underwood Updated: June 20, 2022

    COVID-19 continues to shape the healthcare landscape across Central Massachusetts, as hospitals grapple with soaring costs and staffing shortages.

    Stephen Underwood Updated: June 20, 2022
  • Q&A: Despite legislation, Central Mass. teens are still vaping

    Laura Finaldi Updated: June 20, 2022

    Vaping has been out of the headlines for a while, as the nation’s attention turned to a more urgent respiratory issue known as COVID-19.

    Laura Finaldi Updated: June 20, 2022
  • State approves $4.8M in tax breaks for Central Mass. businesses

    Alexander MacDougall June 17, 2022

    Three businesses in Central Massachusetts have been approved for economic incentive development programs by the state’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, and two additional Worcester County towns have been approved for the council’s vacant

    Alexander MacDougall June 17, 2022
  • Worcester chamber of commerce establishes affiliate in Clinton

    Sadie Leite June 16, 2022

    In the first month since the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce partnered with Discover Clinton to establish the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, the new organization has added seven members, with more inquiries.

    Sadie Leite June 16, 2022
  • Slimmer Mass. economic development bill advances, without ARPA billions

    Chris Lisinski from State House News Service June 15, 2022

    A pair of multibillion-dollar borrowing and spending bills that feature among Gov. Charlie Baker's top priorities each cleared another legislative hurdle, though the outgoing governor is unlikely to be thrilled by the way the bills changed -- or

    Chris Lisinski from State House News Service June 15, 2022
  • Biden withdraws Robinson nomination To Energy Department

    Colin A. Young from State House News Service June 15, 2022

    The White House last week withdrew Rep. Maria Robinson's nomination for a federal energy job after a U.S. Senate panel had been deadlocked on whether to confirm the Framingham Democrat for the position.

    Colin A. Young from State House News Service June 15, 2022
  • Employers make case to energy bill conferees

    Chris Lisinski from State House News Service June 15, 2022

    More than two dozen businesses called on lawmakers Tuesday to keep a focus on rolling out broader electric vehicle use in the final version of an energy bill locked up in private negotiations, throwing their support behind several provisions that

    Chris Lisinski from State House News Service June 15, 2022

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Today's Poll

Should Massachusetts should implement more private employee whistleblower protections?
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Poll Description

Massachusetts whistleblower laws predominantly safeguard public employees from retaliation when they report violations, abuse, or risks to public health and safety. However, private employees have far more restrictions in regards to their state-provided whistleblower protections, but there are still ways they file retaliation complaints, including federally through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Act.

In January, the state agency Cannabis Control Commission suspended a whistleblower featured in a WBJ investigation. Without providing reasoning, the CCC put Business Operations Manager Meghan Dube on paid administrative leave. Dube subsequently resigned from her role.

In May, Carla LeBlanc, a nurse at Saint Vincent Hospital was fired for her appearance on a local podcast in which she spoke out about long-documented concerns regarding working conditions and interpersonal dynamics at the Worcester facility. She then filed a lawsuit against the hospital and its operator under the Massachusetts Healthcare Whistleblower Protection Act, which offers protections to private healthcare workers.