Mass General Brigham is committed to world-class care backed by the latest advances in medical research. Innovation across our system delivers the best possible outcomes and enhances the patient experience.
Keller at Large
One hates to spoil a multimillionaire’s holiday surprise, but we already know what the local sports betting industry is getting for Christmas – another year of lighter-than-ashes fines for violations of Massachusetts law.
Their latest gift was opened early, at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission's (MGC) Dec. 4 meeting. Three-time offender Fanatics was on the carpet for violating the ban on taking bets on non-tournament Massachusetts college sports.
Given the ever-growing litany of horror stories surrounding threats against athletes and the corruption of some at the pro and college level, you would think this sort of thing would alarm the commissioners. But the only objection to the token $20,000 fine came from Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s MGC appointee, Eileen O’Brien, who noted the penalty is “not much of a deterrent…. I’m a little disappointed, quite frankly, with the fine, I think it should be more severe…. Three times in a couple of years with a smack on the wrist – I just think there needs to be more done to make sure this doesn’t continue.”
That was too harsh for BGC Chairman Jordan Maynard. “Compared to other jurisdictions, our $20,000 and $30,000 and $40,000 fines are much higher,” he said. Noted O’Brien: “Compared to the revenue they make, no, I’m not so sure that that’s the relevant metric for deterrence.”
But these joke penalties are standard operating procedure for the MGC since sports betting began here in 2023.
MASSterList Job Board |
|---|
Assistant City Solicitor — NEW!, City of Salem, MA Legal Dept. |
Finance Director, Tarik for Congress |
Human Resource Generalist, Boston Region MPO |
Office Manager, Boston Region MPO |
Associate General Counsel, Mass Gaming Commission |
Executive Director, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission |
Operations & Events Manager, Health Equity Compact |
Membership & Project Coordinator, Health Equity Compact |
Jobs continue below the fold — post a job
Gov. Healey is considering removing obesity medication coverage from the state employee health plan in her upcoming budget. Cutting treatment would jeopardize progress for thousands and harm workforce health. Urge the Governor to protect access to GLP-1s and treat obesity like any other chronic disease. Use our quick tool to send your message today.
HAPPENING TODAY
10:00 | The Boston Foundation and Association for Autism and Neurodiversity hold a Zoom webinar focused on the intersection of autism and mental health. The event will begin with brief remarks from Dr. Megan Anna Neff, clinical psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights. A panel discussion will be moderated by Becca Lory Hector, director of training for the association. | More Info and Access
4:00 | The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Board holds a virtual meeting. The agenda includes approval of the RGGI budget, executive committee elections, and an update on RGGI Inc. milestones. RGGI's board includes heads of energy and environmental regulatory agencies in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. | Registration
4:00 | Downtown Boston Alliance holds annual meeting, with remarks from Mayor Michelle Wu. The event is meant to reflect on 2025 and preview what’s ahead next year. A cocktail reception will follow the business meeting. Tickets are free. | 125 Summer St., Boston | Register
5:30 | The Massachusetts Democratic Party hosts a holiday reception and fundraiser. Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are scheduled to attend. | Alcott Junior Ballroom, Omni Parker House, 60 School St., Boston
6:30 | Sen. William Brownsberger holds a “community conversation” about his opposition to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposed property tax shift. | Presentation Foundation School Community Center, 640 Washington Street, Brighton
FROM BEACON HILL
CONVENTION CENTER: Marcel Vernon is out as Mass. Convention Center Authority CEO, agreeing to a separation and release of all claims for $500,000. The settlement agreement has a non-disparagement clause, which comes as Vernon’s attorney sent a letter alleging ethical violations by board chair Emme Handy. – Boston Business Journal
GOP TREASURER CANDIDATE: Elizabeth Dionne, GOP candidate for treasurer, lays out some routes of attack as she launches a campaign against incumbent Democrat Deb Goldberg: Taxes and spending, and the Cannabis Control Commission. – MassLive
ENDORSEMENT CORNER: The limited value of endorsements is the latest focus of the contretemps between the three GOP candidates for governor. – Boston Herald
AARP is fighting to stop criminals from stealing over $246 million a year through cryptocurrency kiosks. Fraudulent activity targeting older Americans is on the rise. We support Senate Bill No. 707 and House Bill No. 1247, which will crack down on those who use crypto ATMs for fraudulent activity. Licensing crypto ATM operators in Massachusetts would give state officials stronger oversight and flag operators who break the rules. Learn more at aarp.org/ma.
NEWS NEXT DOOR
STATE POLICE ACADEMY: The State Police, a public law enforcement agency that has struggled for years with culture problems, is considering changes to the paramilitary-like structure of its training program, one year after the death of a recruit. – Boston Globe
INSURER OF LAST RESORT: Home insurance data in Massachusetts is showing the biggest jump in policy enrollment at the insurer of last resort, leading one former insurance executive to call the numbers “the canary in the coal mine.” – CommonWealth Beacon
MAYORAL AIDE IN COURT: After former Springfield mayoral aide Darryl Moss won his lawsuit against Domenic Sarno, the two camps are back in court this week, including a motion for nearly half a million dollars in legal fees. – Western Mass. Politics and Insight
RTA FUNDING: Regional transit authorities saw the release of $10 million in new grants, with the aim of improving connections between service areas and introducing new routes, particularly in Methuen. – StreetsBlogMass
PITTSFIELD PLANT: Pittsfield officials want to convert the fossil fuel-fired peaker plant into a battery energy storage facility. – Berkshire Eagle
NORTHEASTERN ARENA: Matthews Arena, owned by Northeastern University, closed its doors last week. The facility, older than Fenway Park, hosted both sports and politics, with both President Roosevelts walking through its doors. – Associated Press
WORCESTER RENTS: The New England region’s second largest city is undergoing a cooldown in the rental market after building more than 1,000 luxury apartments over the last several years. – GBH News
MORE HEADLINES
JOB BOARD
Do you have an open job you'd like to feature here? Click here to place a job board order, or email Dylan Rossiter at [email protected].
Water System Technician, Town of Easton
Jury Commissioner, MA Supreme Judicial Court
Senior Accountant, Massachusetts Service Alliance
Chief Program Officer, Massachusetts Service Alliance
CEO & President, Civic Action Project
Director of Speechwriting, City of Boston
Deputy Director of Speechwriting, City of Boston
Chief of Communications, City of Boston
Executive Director, Thrive Downtown Attleboro
Chief Development Officer, Institute for Nonprofit Practice
Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance
Vice President for Massachusetts, Conservation Law Foundation
Senior Planner, Public Engagement, Boston Region MPO
Mechanic or Senior Mechanic, Town of Easton
