Tagged: Governor Deval Patrick

A new law gives people with medical conditions access to employee-only bathrooms at Massachusetts businesses if no public restrooms are available.

Gov. Deval Patrick this week signed the so-called restroom access bill. Massachusetts joins a dozen other states with similar laws.

The law’s supporters say people with inflammatory bowel diseases need immediate access to a bathroom.

Only people with a doctor’s note will be allowed access to employee-only facilities under the law.

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed an energy bill that requires Massachusetts utilities to buy more of their electricity in competitively bid, long-term contracts with renewable energy providers.

Patrick said Friday the new law will protect ratepayers while also helping the environment by requiring more use of clean energy sources.

Starting in 2016, utilities would be required to purchase 7 percent of their power from long-term renewable contracts, up from 3 percent.

        Massachusetts is going to have a so-called “ three strikes” crime law.  Governor Deval Patrick says he will sign a controversial crime bill aimed at keeping repeat violent criminals off the streets. People working to prevent violence in one western Massachusetts city say the real solution to improved public safety is community partnerships.  WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Six District Attorneys in the State of Massachusetts have sent a letter to Governor Deval Patrick in response to remarks he made about the anti-crime bill in a recent television interview. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless joined 5 other District Attorney’s across Massachusetts in signing a letter to Governor Deval Patrick criticizing him about his comment that the state’s prosecutors are “gaming” the system to put non-violent drug offenders in jail. Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless…

A request from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to local officials to fix potholes near his Berkshire home before a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama has created a media buzz. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief reports that the local officials are left scratching their heads at the attention.