Western Mass Politics & Insight

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From last month: the Ethics Commission will hold a hearing on whether former #Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley broke ethics rules. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/state-…

The path to the start of additional service between Boston and Springfield came into focus at a recent @MassDOT board of directors meeting--as did the way the region could see even more service. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/how-we…

State Rep Bud Williams of the #11thHampden district does not appear to be retiring. Yet, he has attracted a significant number of challengers. There may be many reasons why, but there are rumors, too. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/04/analys…

ICYMI: The State Ethics Commission has issued a show cause order against former #Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley for alleged conflicts between his public role and his legal practice. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/state-…

The proposed hourly service to New York got the attention, but @MassDOT revealed a lot more about what Boston to Springfield service will need to start up and expand further. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/how-we…

LISTEN: On Friday, our editor-in-chief, @MSzafranski413 joined @ptuthill and @Lizro27 on @nepublicmedia's The Rundown with @CarrieSaldo to talk sheriffs' budgets, the court fight for #Springfield's climate grant, and rail service. nepm.org/therundown/202…

Without addressing the merits of the underlying resolution, I struggle to see the legal basis for this lawsuit and, to the extent it has any legal basis, it plainly misapprehends Massachusetts municipal and quasi-public corp law. #mapoli wwlp.com/news/local-new…

Last week, the Massachusetts Ethics Commission initiated formal proceedings against former #Holyoke City Councilor David Bartley relating to conflicts between his role as a councilor and his legal practice. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/state-…

Full report on the hearing to come, but here was the table-setter I wrote for last week's hearing on #Springfield's climate grant at the DC Circuit. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/climat…

ICYMI: There will be a primary for the 413's governor's council seat. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/briefi…

A former #Holyoke City Councilor, David Bartley, faces a formal ethics adjudication for alleged conflicts between his legal practice and his then-service to the city. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/state-…

A DC Court heard oral arguments today on whether to revive a lawsuit #Springfield joined to claw back a climate grant the EPA illegally rescinded. Read our primer on the case. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/climat…

#Springfield and its fellow one-time climate grant recipients return to federal court Monday to try to revive their lawsuit to get the money the @EPA illegally rescinded. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/climat…

Primary challenges have been popping up in the 413 this election cycle. Now that includes the region's seat on the Governor's Council. Councilor Tara Jacobs faces an old foe. wmasspi.com/2026/03/briefi… #mapoli

Every now and then it happens. Western Mass's federal pols had good things to say about SCOTUS when its tariffs ruling came down. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/bay-st…

The #Springfield City Council reached a denouement at its March 2 meeting. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/take-m…

Even the governor's councilors are getting primary challengers in Wester Mass this year! Tara Jacobs to face off against 2022 rival #Springfield City Councilor Mike Fenton. wmasspi.com/2026/03/briefi…

Politico's Massachusetts Playbook has ended, but there are opportunities. The Boston Globe may be taking some of them. #mapoli wmasspi.com/2026/02/after-…

The Springfield City Council rejected a motion of no confidence in its president, Tracye Whitfield, amid the alleged ethical violations that have arisen since a street discontinuance vote last month. #mapoli #spfldpoli wmasspi.com/2026/03/take-m…

ICYMI: Bay State pols welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs. wmasspi.com/2026/02/bay-st…