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Anyone bracing for a long primary night in New Hampshire was pleasantly surprised. The Associated Press called the races for former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden within eight minutes of the last polling places closing last night. Nikki Haley made the contest relatively close on the Republican side, and is vowing to stay in the race, as the candidates turn their focus to the primary in her home state of South Carolina in exactly one month. You can read more about the New Hampshire primary and what happens next here:
Now, let’s turn our focus back to Massachusetts, where we’re taking it easy on the slippery roads this morning:
Budget szn: If you think the presidential campaign season is nonstop, wait until you meet Massachusetts state budget season. Gov. Maura Healey is filing her proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year today (that’s FY25, which starts on July 1). As WBUR’s Walter Wuthmann reports, Healey used her first $56 billion budget to pass major policy priorities, like making community college free for people over 25. This year, she wants to use the budget to invest over $100 million to expand subsidized, low-cost child care, plus boost funding for the MBTA, roads and bridges to historic levels. However, the math is a little trickier this year, due to declining tax revenues. In fact, shortfalls have already forced Healey to make $375 million in cuts.
- What is she saying? Healey says her budget will be both “forward looking” and “take account of the situation we’re in right now,” but otherwise hasn’t given specifics about any potential cutbacks. “We can’t spend money we don’t have,” Healey told reporters earlier this week. “And as governor I’m going to make sure that we are acting in ways … that are fiscally responsible and sound and are mindful of that.” Healey has also pledged to not raise any taxes for the purposes of state revenue (though she does want to give cities and towns the option of raising a few local taxes).
- What’s next: Healey’s budget bill will head first to the House for hearings, debate and lots and lots of proposed amendments. Click here for a step-by-step timeline of the entire budget process.
From Beacon Hill to City Hall: Meanwhile, the Boston City Council is reconsidering its controversial decision to reject a $13 million terrorism preparedness grant. Ahead of the Council’s meeting today, Mayor Michelle Wu re-filed an order asking members to “expeditiously” accept the money, which would go toward counter-terrorism training for law enforcement across nine local communities.
- The City Council blocked the money in a 6-6 vote on Dec. 13. But now, Wu has more allies on the Council and some of the members who voted against the money seem open to changing their minds. New Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who originally voted against the money, told WBUR’s Simón Rios that they didn’t have enough time to review the program. “I think that we have a role on the City Council to be accountable and to hold institutions accountable. And I think that we now have more information about how these grants will be used,” Louijeune said.
- Flashback: It’s not the first time Wu has pressed the Council to accept law enforcement grants. Last fall, she (successfully) sparred with the Council’s more left-leaning members over money for the Boston Police Department’s intelligence-gathering arm.
Day four: Newton Public Schools’ nearly 12,000 students are getting another day off today, as the district’s teacher strike stretches on. WBUR’s Carrie Jung reports that big issues like parental leave and better pay for classroom aides remain unresolved.
- The leaders of the Newton Teachers Association say they’ll continue the strike for as long as it takes to get a fair contract.
On ice: Those at TD Garden got their money’s worth last night, as Northeastern beat Boston University in the first Women’s Beanpot hockey title game played at the arena. The game featured a last-minute Terriers goal to force OT, before the Huskies’ dramatic game-winner. You can watch all the highlights on YouTube.
P.S.— I’m a little obsessed with the redesigned “I Voted” stickers that New Hampshire debuted during its primary yesterday. What do we have to do to get something like these in Massachusetts?
