Keller: The polling motherlode

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At first glance, the latest Massachusetts poll by the Boston Globe looks like just another off-year survey from the uber-accurate Suffolk University Political Research Center. Sen. Ed Markey leading Rep. Seth Moulton and within the margin of error with Rep. Ayanna Pressley in a small sample of Democrats; voters skeptical of the Legislature and supporting tax-cutting ballot questions; majority disapproval of quack federal health czar RFK Jr. 

Ho hum.

But dig into the crosstabs and things get more interesting. As Suffolk pollster David Paleologos notes, the percent of voters rating the US economy poor or fair has taken an unusually sharp jump since his last local survey in October 2024: “Public perception…has dropped off the table over the last year.”

And leading the freefall – women. 

In last year’s poll 53% of women said the country was on the wrong track. Today it’s 82%. The percentage of women describing the economy as “poor” has nearly doubled to 50%, while men offering the same description have held steady at around 30%.

Which points to another survey finding that may turn out to be the single most important factor in the 2026 election here – the emergence of some of the largest gender gaps ever recorded.

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9:30 | Supporters of a ballot question hike across the Charles River and to the State House for a rally. The measure would steer sales tax revenue from sporting goods like golf clubs, RVs and camping gear into a new "Nature for All Fund." Hikers will depart the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Charlestown office at 9:30 a.m. and host a rally on the State House steps at 10:30 a.m. | 10 City Square, Boston

9:45 | Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and state education officials release a statewide high school graduation framework. | Auditorium of Dedham High School, 140 Whiting Ave, Dedham

12:30 | The Coalition for a Healthy Democracy rallies with supporters ahead of delivering signatures for a 2026 ballot question that would allow all-party primaries in which the top two finishers advance regardless of party. | State House steps, Boston

2:00 | The Senate Art Committee meets to review the process for choosing busts for the Senate Chamber and how to select an artist. | Virtual

5:00 | Gov. Maura Healey hosts the annual State House tree lighting with First Lady Joanna Lydgate and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. The event is free and open to the public. | State House front steps and Great Hall, Boston

FLAGGING DELAYS: The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission, already the second attempt at coming up with new options, is asking for yet another extension. It cites a “public misunderstanding” of its mission as South Boston state Sen. Nick Collins called the move to take off the Native American on the flag an “exercise in cancel culture.” – Boston Globe and Boston Herald

FALL RIVER FIRE: Safety reforms based on the Gabriel House fatal fire in Fall River face a long road at the State House, with lawmakers typically slow to act after similar tragedies. – MassLive

IN MEMORIAM: Gloucester Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante passed away on Nov. 27 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 53. First elected to the House in 2008, she considered the creation of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and Gloucester Biotechnology Academy as one of her top achievements. Visitation is set for Dec. 4 at St. Ann’s Church, followed by a Mass and a private burial. – Obit via Greely Funeral Home

FIRED HEALEY AIDE: Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office said Gov. Maura Healey’s office and the State Police must provide a more specific response as part of their denial of releasing records to the Herald on the employment of former aide LaMar Cook. – Boston Herald

QUIET FRIDAYS: Tuesdays are the busiest days for in-office work, while workers stay home the most on Fridays, according to a new study from a real estate data firm Boston is behind its peers on return-to-office rates post-pandemic. – Boston Business Journal

SHERIFFS SPENDING: County sheriffs are now facing a $100 million headache after state legislators balked at their spending request and asked the inspector general to look into their offices. – MassLive

CAPE COD BRIDGES: State officials filed an environmental impact document in another step towards replacing the Cape Cod bridges, set to cost at least $4.5 billion. The draft environmental impact statement has a public comment period lasting through Jan. 5. – WCAI

COASTLINE PROTECTION PLAN: Several state agencies released an advisory plan focused on 1,519 miles of coastline that face sea level rise and more intense storms. – Inside Climate News

AUGUSTUS GOES WEST: Gov. Maura Healey’s housing chief, Ed Augustus, spoke with the Berkshire Eagle about the state’s housing struggles. – Berkshire Eagle

HOMELESSNESS FUNDING: Attorney General Andrea Campbell joined her counterparts in 20 other states to sue the Trump administration in an effort to restore federal funding for affordable housing. – Salem News

TOWN CUTS: Officials in the town of Hadley are weighing the elimination of eight to 11 positions in the upcoming municipal budget, after nearly a dozen positions were lost in the current fiscal year. – Daily Hampshire Gazette

Inside Quincy’s new public safety building

Victorian landmark in Nahant renovated, wine cellar and home theater added

Mass. moving towards regulation of home care agencies focused on elderly

Franklin County receives more than $500,000 for conservation and recreation projects

Ken Burns' new American Revolution film features historic Beverly paintings

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Public Affairs Manager, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association

Director of Government Affairs, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association

Executive Director, Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition

Deputy Director, Planning & Economic Development, City of Malden

Press Secretary, Seth Moulton for Massachusetts

Regional Field Director, Seth Moulton for Massachusetts

Convention Director, Seth Moulton for Massachusetts

CEO, The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod

Executive Director, Our Neighbors’ Table

Collaborative Consultant, Providers’ Council

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