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House wants to spend Fair Share cash on the MBTA, schools

House wants to spend $1.8B in Fair Share cash and tax dollars on the MBTA and schools — here's where every dollar would go.

News

The state has over $1 billion in &quot;Millionaire&#x27;s Tax&quot; money to spend and House leaders want it to go the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MBTA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" data-vars-content-id="ee839a21-85bf-4f0e-b240-bd79c152bfb5" data-vars-headline="House wants to spend Fair Share cash on the MBTA, schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/transit" target="_self">MBTA</a>, special education and early childcare.Why it matters: If passed into law intact, it would be one of the largest single deployments of Fair Share revenue since voters approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the income surtax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/29/millionaires-massachusetts-income-surtax-increase" data-vars-content-id="ee839a21-85bf-4f0e-b240-bd79c152bfb5" data-vars-headline="House wants to spend Fair Share cash on the MBTA, schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/04/29/millionaires-massachusetts-income-surtax-increase" target="_self">the income surtax</a> in 2022.

What we know about The Croft School's financial troubles

A month ago, The Croft School was planning to expand. Now, it's struggling to keep its doors open.

Education

A month ago, The Croft School was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="discussing expansion plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/10/foodies-market-south-end" data-vars-content-id="ffd83883-b38a-40ca-a47d-2c15a406e25f" data-vars-headline="What we know about The Croft School&#x27;s financial troubles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/10/foodies-market-south-end" target="_self">discussing expansion plans</a> in the South End.<ul><li>Now, the private school is struggling to keep its doors open amid allegations that its founder hid $13 million in debt.</li></ul>

AI-generated attack ads are already slopping up Mass. races

AI attack ads are already showing up in Massachusetts races — and the 2026 cycle is just getting started.

Politics

Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artificial intelligence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/ai-biggest-threats-2028-election" data-vars-content-id="5ae6c8eb-8ab5-4404-af1a-e50396c6af3a" data-vars-headline="AI-generated attack ads are already slopping up Mass. races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/ai-biggest-threats-2028-election" target="_self">Artificial intelligence</a> is becoming an active political weapon in Massachusetts.Why it matters: Two recent cases show that candidates are willing to use the technology as lawmakers struggle to regulate it.

Mass. startup aims to bring archival work into 21st century

Archives nationwide face decades-long backlogs. A startup aims to modernize their preservation.

Business

Countless records that shed light on this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250-year-old nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="1089d381-1de9-45cb-a76f-cf64bc3ec76f" data-vars-headline="Mass. startup aims to bring archival work into 21st century" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250-year-old nation</a> have languished in boxes and warehouses for decades.<ul><li>A Massachusetts-based startup wants to modernize the cataloguing process to help preserve those items before it&#x27;s too late.</li></ul>

Boston bets on Faneuil Hall revival

Boston wants to turn Faneuil Hall Marketplace from a tourist trap into a local destination.

Boston officials want to take another swing at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Faneuil Hall Marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/19/boston-restaurant-news-bakey-opens-in-faneuil-hall" data-vars-content-id="55177df9-08d4-4888-8190-dd8302d1a16b" data-vars-headline="Boston bets on Faneuil Hall revival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/08/19/boston-restaurant-news-bakey-opens-in-faneuil-hall" target="_self">Faneuil Hall Marketplace</a> — and this time, they say locals, not just tourists, will be a priority.Why it matters: Despite foot traffic to the historic hall and neighboring Quincy Market building returning to pre-pandemic levels, consumer spending at the marketplace is still down 30%.

Southie's St. Patrick's Day parade reverses route for 250th Evacuation Day

From a reversed route to new family zones, here is everything you need to know for Sunday's 250th anniversary celebration

The South Boston St. Patrick&#x27;s Day Parade and Breakfast are upon us once again, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the country&#x27;s 250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="abf7cb6b-6b27-4821-8fd7-100745326a47" data-vars-headline="Southie&#x27;s St. Patrick&#x27;s Day parade reverses route for 250th Evacuation Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">the country&#x27;s 250th anniversary</a> means a bit of a shift in the parade&#x27;s route.Why it matters: This year&#x27;s celebration has a dual purpose: the annual feast of Ireland&#x27;s patron saint and the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day, Southie&#x27;s other high holiday.

How Boston became the "most fraught" World Cup host city

Troubles include a bitter funding fight in Foxborough and teams opting for Rhode Island instead.

Sports

It wasn&#x27;t supposed to be this way, but Massachusetts seems to be among the most troubled host regions in the country&#x27;s 2026 FIFA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/23/2026-world-cup-parking-transit-road-trips" data-vars-content-id="4e6b62c0-16ea-40bc-850b-9639074fb8a4" data-vars-headline="How Boston became the &quot;most fraught&quot; World Cup host city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/23/2026-world-cup-parking-transit-road-trips" target="_self">World Cup</a> effort.Why it matters: With less than 100 days until the first match kicks off, the Boston region lags behind most comparable U.S. host cities on some of the fundamentals.

Boston police warn of fake parking ticket scam

Boston police warned residents about fake hearing notices .

If you&#x27;ve gotten a parking violation notice from the City of Boston lately, it could be a scam.Driving the news: Boston police warned residents about fake hearing notices purporting to come from Boston Municipal Court.<ul><li>The notices may include a case number, judge name and signature, a hearing date, a QR code for online payments and the state seal (despite involving a city matter).</li><li>Boston police didn&#x27;t respond to an email from Axios seeking more details.</li></ul>Be smart: If you get a notice, check the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s parking page" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/how-pay-parking-ticket" data-vars-content-id="b64ba365-a26e-40d7-a5b8-354f6416508f" data-vars-headline="Boston police warn of fake parking ticket scam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/how-pay-parking-ticket" target="_blank">city&#x27;s parking page</a> to verify if it&#x27;s a real violation notice. <ul><li>If it&#x27;s not, call 911 to report the scam.</li></ul>

Why Boston can't be more Canadian when it comes to snow removal

Boston keeps eyeing Montreal's snow removal playbook — but never copies it.

Everyone&#x27;s pretty grumpy after the approximately 75 feet of snow* Eastern Massachusetts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="got dumped on it" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/24/blizzard-boston-cape-snowfall-power-outages" data-vars-content-id="50fbcf66-bef3-4f3e-817c-190e50c8497c" data-vars-headline="Why Boston can&#x27;t be more Canadian when it comes to snow removal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/24/blizzard-boston-cape-snowfall-power-outages" target="_self">got dumped on it</a> this winter, and that&#x27;s leading some to ask the eternal question: Why can&#x27;t we be more like the Canadians?<ul><li>A Boston City Council <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hearing last week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEsJHj3xDzA" data-vars-content-id="50fbcf66-bef3-4f3e-817c-190e50c8497c" data-vars-headline="Why Boston can&#x27;t be more Canadian when it comes to snow removal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEsJHj3xDzA" target="_blank">hearing last week</a> revealed the city has long looked north to Montreal for guidance, but has never really implemented any of the Quebecois&#x27; masterful snow-removal methods.</li></ul>Why it matters: Disability rights advocates testified that blocked curb cuts and unshoveled sidewalks this winter pushed vulnerable residents into active traffic. They say the city&#x27;s snow response is just too car-focused.

What to do in Boston: Death Stranding concert and more

From a video game symphony to a savage new opera, here is your curated guide to Boston this week.

Monday, 3/9<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bso.org/events/death-stranding" data-vars-content-id="7fc08a5c-496c-4ded-ab59-9464be976034" data-vars-headline="What to do in Boston: Death Stranding concert and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bso.org/events/death-stranding" target="_blank">Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony</a> brings the post-apocalyptic soundscapes of the hit video game to life with a full orchestra at Symphony Hall, 8pm. Price: $60+.

Explaining the T's anti-icing trains

Those darkened MBTA train cars are actually mobile de-icing stations designed to keep the third rail clear of ice.

You&#x27;ve probably noticed certain darkened train cars on the MBTA&#x27;s subway lines that don&#x27;t allow passengers before and during winter weather events.State of play: According to the MBTA, that&#x27;s because the cars are full of equipment for de-icing the third rails that power the trains.

The Mass. House just voted to overhaul the state's energy strategy

Lawmakers are attempting to balance climate goals with "sticker shock" protections.

The Massachusetts House voted yesterday to approve a sweeping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy reform" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/13/mass-gov-maura-healeys-energy-power-utility-bills-cost" data-vars-content-id="16aeeae3-dc81-4771-8835-08fd54c243af" data-vars-headline="The Mass. House just voted to overhaul the state&#x27;s energy strategy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/05/13/mass-gov-maura-healeys-energy-power-utility-bills-cost" target="_self">energy reform</a> package designed to reposition the state&#x27;s climate strategy toward short-term affordability for ratepayers.Why it matters: House leaders want to shield residents from the &quot;sticker shock&quot; of spiking energy prices while attempting to keep the state&#x27;s greenhouse gas emission targets on life support.

Free AI training is coming to all Massachusetts residents

Gov. Healey and Google are partnering to help Bay Staters bridge the digital skills gap.

Gov. Maura Healey has teamed with Google to provide free <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="5481288a-0911-4ea9-9bd7-6d4fe3ccda40" data-vars-headline="Free AI training is coming to all Massachusetts residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">AI</a> training to all Massachusetts residents.Why it matters: Healey wants to close the digital skills gap and help the Bay State&#x27;s workforce remain competitive as AI reshapes how we live, work and communicate.

News 🗞

Boston bets on Faneuil Hall revival

BTMU: Croft watch

House wants to spend Fair Share cash on the MBTA, schools

BTMU: Rent control consequences

Gillette buys South Boston site for HQ