WBUR TODAY: Elizabeth Warren's "meatball" bill

                                                                          

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❤️ Donate Friday, March 13, 2026

🌤️ Increasingly cloudy, with a high near 44. Good Morning Boston, It's Friday. We have a very green weekend ahead. The Boston Legacy play their first-ever match Saturday at 12:30 p.m. — nationally televised on ABC. More than 20,000 tickets for the game have been sold, but there are still lots of $34 and $46 tickets available in Gillette Stadium's lower bowl. WBUR's Katie Cole has almost literally everything you need to know about the new women's soccer team here. And then on Sunday — brace yourself — it's the South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade, which will be running in the opposite direction for the first time in decades. Here's what else to know about this year's parade, including the latest anti-"tomfoolery" efforts. Now, to the news: The ROAD to Housing Act's road ahead: Something unusual happened in the U.S. Senate yesterday: Democrats and Republicans came together to overwhelmingly pass the biggest housing bill in decades, co-authored by none other than Massachusetts' own Elizabeth Warren. The Democrat's "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act" — which she originally drafted with Republican Sen. Tim Scott — was approved by a vote of 89 to 10. The House passed a bill earlier this year that is 84% the same, according to Scott's office . But not 100%. And that means there are some differences to work out. The details: The Senate bill primarily seeks to put a dent in the nation's housing affordability problems by boosting the supply of housing. And it takes a few different angles at doing that: (1) easing rules on factory-built homes, (2) allowing banks to invest more in affordable housing projects, (3) encouraging more streamlined construction at the local level and (4) putting in new rules against big investors buying up lots of single-family homes. Warren compared the bill to a "meatball," with lots of different ingredients that were key to it gaining bipartisan support. NPR has more details on the recipe here. The differences: Perhaps the biggest sticking point is the Senate's proposal to ban investors that own at least 350 single-family homes from buying more. There are exceptions for homes that need serious renovation, as well as new homes constructed for renting. But the developer would have to sell those "build-to-rent" homes after seven years. According to The New York Times, some House Republicans aren't happy with that; in fact, some top Senate Democrats and housing groups aren't either. (There are also some other disagreements around limits on a federal digital currency and community banking lending rules.) There's also the Trump factor: The White House issued a statement of support for the Senate bill earlier this month. But more recently, Trump pledged to not sign anything until Congress passes a bill to tighten national voting rules. What's next: According to Politico, House Speaker Mike Johnson told fellow Republicans this week that he expects the two bills will need to be ironed out in a closed-door conference committee — which could take weeks or more. What Warren is saying: In a speech yesterday on the Senate floor, Warren called on House Republicans to "immediately" pass the bill as-is. "If they do not, they will have to explain to families across the country in November why they refused to lower the cost of housing," she said. Watch the full speech here. Back in Massachusetts: Police in Greater Boston are increasing patrols around synagogues after yesterday's attack in Michigan. That includes Brookline, home to one of the state's largest Jewish populations. In a statement to WCVB, the town's police department encouraged people to report any suspicious behavior. Federal funding fallout: A Massachusetts-based green cement startup is laying off two-thirds of its workforce, after the Trump administration canceled an $87 million grant for its plant in Holyoke last year. Somerville's Sublime Systems announced yesterday that roughly 60 people will lose jobs due to the lost funding. Bloomberg reported that it also endangers Sublime's deal to supply Microsoft with low-carbon cement. Spoiler alert: Boston University's bid to reach the NCAA men's college basketball tournament may have fallen just short, but our March Madness dreams are still alive here in Massachusetts. UMass — yes, UMass! — upset the previously undefeated University of Miami (Ohio) in the first round of their conference tournament. The RedHawks' record had been one of the biggest stories in college basketball this season, until the Minutemen stormed in. UMass now have to win their next two games to get into the NCAA tournament. The first one is tonight at 5 p.m. against the University of Toledo. Heads up: DCR is closing a nearly four-mile inbound stretch of Storrow Drive and Soldier's Field Road for three nights early next week. From 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next day on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights, the parkway will be closed from North Harvard Street (by the Harvard boathouse) to Boston's Mugar Way. DCR plans to divert traffic onto Memorial Drive during the closure. P.S.— When did the first intelligible telephone call take place? Take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of our recent stories. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Senior Editor, Newsletters The Rundown How the Foxborough World Cup deal finally came together Massachusetts was on the brink of becoming a global laughingstock — with politicians and sports executives and town officials unable to come to an agreement over $7.8 million in security costs, a sum of money so small it’s a rounding error in the scheme of World Cup soccer or the state budget. Here's how the deal came together. Read more. THIS IS A MUST READ ABOUT ICE GESTAPO ABUSE!  14-year-old girl detained by federal agents is released on judge's orders A federal judge in Boston has ordered the release of a 14-year-old girl detained by federal agents on Tuesday in Marlborough. The girl was transported through the night to a juvenile facility in New York when agents couldn't immediately locate her family — a move the judge said was outside any norm he'd seen in his years on the bench. Read more. Public media outlet GBH may want a merger with its competitor, but WBUR isn’t interested GBH's leader told the Boston Globe the organization would be open to a merger with WBUR, its competitor. However, WBUR's CEO said in a statement there are no plans. Read more. OTHER NATIONS ARE SOLICITING THESE QUALIFIED PEOPLE -  MASSIVE BRAIN DRAIN!  With H-1B work visa lottery underway, experts worry new rules hurt business Some experts say new changes to the H-1B visa program meant for high-skilled foreign workers will hinder innovation and science in Massachusetts. The annual H-1B visa lottery registration — where employers try to secure one of 85,000 visas — is underway. It's the first H-1B lottery since President Trump overhauled the visa program and imposed a $100,000 fee. Read more. ICE, Vermont police face scrutiny following South Burlington standoff Local and state police said they tried to balance the rights and safety of activists and ICE agents by taking part in a tense immigration raid. To critics, it looked like collaboration. Read more. Anything Else? ***THIS BEARS WATCHING! NEW HAMPSHIRE FUNDS SCHOOLS WITH PROPERTY TAXES WITH PREDICTABLE RESULTS! I'VE DONE TOO MUCH  CAMPAIGNING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND POVERTY STANDS OUT!  FAILURE TO CONDEMN DEATH THREATS DEFINE POLITICAL FAILURES! NEW HAMPSHIRE: IT'S TIME TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION THAT'S EQUALLY FUNDED! ************************ A proposal by Democratic activists in New Hampshire to lower property taxes by imposing a state income tax has prompted death threats on social media from the state's Libertarian Party. WBUR's Anthony Brooks reports that the state's political leaders, including Gov. Kelly Ayotte, were quick to condemn the tax proposal. But not as many have spoken out against actual the death threats. Three bronze benches highlighting endangered animals are now on display at Faneuil Hall Marketplace — allowing visitors to take a seat next to a Masai giraffe, an African elephant and a hippo. While I worry we're tempting fate/the upper levels of the troposphere by suggesting winter is behind us, the data on the  meteorological season is in. Read Danielle Noyes' full story on how New England was the exception to the rule this winter, which also includes a preview of what to expect as we approach spring. Hot take: The Oscars are too late. As film critic Sean Burns wrote in this week's edition of our arts newsletter, "we’re almost through with the first quarter of 2026 and we’ve been talking about last year’s movies for so long people are starting to lose their minds." Read NPR's full preview coverage of Sunday night's awards show, with Brookline native Conan O'Brien returning as host.) What We're Reading 📚 Skeptics say region's World Cup economic hopes need a reality check (Boston Business Journal) Nantucket neighbors to hire bluff walk monitor — sorry, a docent — in an effort to deter tourists (The Boston Globe) Sucker: My year as a degenerate gambler (The Atlantic) Tell Me Something Good Rhode Island hockey player who lost 3 family members in ice rink shooting scores game-winning goal (WCVB) Colin Dorgan, a high school hockey player who lost three family members in a mass shooting last month in Pawtucket, scored a double-overtime goal to send his team to the state championship. Dorgan told WPRI that the goal was "the best moment of my life." Read more. Play: WBUR's daily mini crossword. Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: My culture is not your costume. Correction: We accidentally wrote the opposite of what we meant in yesterday's newsletter when it comes to the details of the proposed rent control ballot question. If passed, the measure would cap annual rent increases in all Massachusetts cities and towns at the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower (not whichever is higher). 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up here. 🔎 Explore WBUR's Field Guide stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. Check out all of our newsletter offerings. 📱 Download the WBUR App for iPhones and iPads or Android devices.

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The People Fight Back: Missouri Submits 305K Signatures Against Gerrymandering, States Sue Over Visa Fees, and Oregon Students Walk Out To Protest Trump’s Immigration Abuses Resistance is working Scott Dworkin Dec 14 Before we start another week of madness from the Trump regime, I’m glad to have more great news for you today. I hope it gives you a break from their chaos—even if just for a moment. The Dworkin Report has zero sponsors and no corporate overlords. That means we can speak the truth without ever holding back. Support our fearless journalism and relentless activism by becoming a paid subscriber today: FERREIRA SPEAKS OUT Following her release from ICE detention, Bruna Caroline Ferreira is now speaking out against the Trump regime and her son’s godmother—Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Ferreira, who co-parents with Leavitt’s brother, slammed the White House for lying and portraying her as an absentee mom. “Why lie?” Ferreira asked. “Because I have so many friends and family that have called me and said, ‘why would anyone lie about this when it’s 2025, we have a digital footprint of everything.’” That’s right—Ferreira has receipts. And when asked what she would say to Leavitt, Ferreira responded with: “Just because you went to a Catholic school doesn’t make you a good Catholic.” VISA FEE LAWSUIT A group of 20 Democratic-run states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump regime over their $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. California AG Rob Bonta, who is helping lead the suit, stated: “Congress has refined this program, setting caps, establishing fees, enhancing enforcement and strengthening protections, but what Congress has never done is authorize a president to impose a six-figure surcharge designed to dismantle the program entirely.” Bonta added: “The bottom line is, no presidential administration can rewrite immigration law. No president can destabilize our schools, our hospitals and universities on a whim, and no president can ignore ... Congress, ignore the Constitution, or ignore the law.” REDISTRICTING PUSHBACK IN MISSOURI In Missouri, the group People Not Politicians submitted 305,000 petition signatures to force a 2026 referendum vote on the GOP’s newly gerrymandered map. They only needed 107,000 signatures to get it on the ballot—but since Republicans like to cheat, it’s always safer to go way over the minimum. Republican leaders are trying to pretend this won’t stall their new rigged map from going into effect, but the head of People Not Politicians, Richard von Glahn, says “the map is frozen” until a vote is held. I’m glad folks in Missouri are pushing back hard against this maga power grab. AOC ON ACA This week, Republicans again reminded the entire country that they truly don’t care about the cost of healthcare going up for countless Americans. Trump, along with the GOP House and Senate, pushed new healthcare “plans” that benefit no one but insurance companies. It’s soulless, horrible, and just doesn’t make any sense. Luckily, Dem Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is speaking out about it. AOC stated: “We have to remember who is in charge of the House, the Senate, and the White House … it’s so indicative of how disconnected [Republicans] are from the real life consequences people are experiencing because of this … I don’t understand why we can’t just extend these subsidies, so that we can save people’s lives.” HIGH SCHOOL WALKOUT Hundreds of students in Hillsboro, Oregon, walked out of class to protest Trump’s rampant immigration abuses on Friday. The crowd grew in numbers as they marched through town, holding signs and chanting slogans before gathering with more than 1,000 folks for a large demonstration at a local civic center. TRUMP PROTESTED A protest was held against Trump outside of the Army-Navy football game he attended yesterday. Folks were there to speak out against the unhinged regime—not against the military. They braved the cold, traffic, and security to exercise their right to protest. One participant said: “Baltimore refuses to be silent in the face of authoritarianism. Protest is not un-American, but fascism is. This country was born in dissent against tyranny.” This is what patriotism looks like, and that spirit of defiance is the heartbeat of our resistance—which we pour into our work every day. Together, we’ve built a platform that turns outrage into action. Smashing maga lies with our daily news briefs, and leading the charge with our Watchdog Coalition. In the last year alone we’ve driven 550,000 contacts to Congress, and generated billions of impressions on social media to counter right-wing propaganda. We’re powered by people—not corporations. We refuse ad money so we can remain independent and fearless—just like the protesters in Baltimore. But that means we need your help to keep going. So please fuel our fight by becoming a paid subscriber today: Onward! Scott Like this post and re-stack using the ♻️ button below to help this news break through the noise! I have two questions for you today. What do you think about Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee? What are your thoughts on Ferreira bringing receipts to the Trump regime’s lies? Thanks for your support! Another way to help us out is by gifting subscriptions to friends and family! You can get yours by clicking the link or button below: For all contact Congress links, or to volunteer, you can go here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-for-the-watchdog-coalition Today we are focused on these six actions: Stand with Ukraine over Russia: https://tinyurl.com/2khn59cr Pass bill on unmasking ICE and displaying clear ID here: https://tinyurl.com/bp8cau82 Tell them to call for Hegseth's resignation: https://tinyurl.com/5b65awxk Demand answers about Trump’s visibly deteriorating health: https://tinyurl.com/sk9xm38v Support discharge petition to force vote on ACA tax credits: https://tinyurl.com/w23tnvxm Help us push for an investigation into the Epstein scandal HERE: https://tinyurl.com/4pfh2p4f Here's my interview with Rep. Eric Swalwell: https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/live-with-eric-swalwell-writing-americas COMMENTS:  The epic coin-toss fail from Trump at the Army-Navy game was something special. The man has clearly never flipped a coin in his life and has zero depth perception. Sad. I hope he was humiliated! What a loser🤬 Love to see the student walkout. But the fact they met up with that huge crowd at the civic center is the cherry on top! I hope she does, file a suit. And “Just because you went to a Catholic school doesn’t make you a good Catholic” is classic. She's right. I went to parochial school. Some of the worst people I know did, too. Remember, the Jesuits cane up with the doctrine of "holy deception." They think it's okay to lie if it leads to the "greater glory of God." E.e., The ends justify the means. With the Trump regime and its policy of “try and stop me”, there’s good news to be had here seeing the people fighting against tyranny. Thank you Scott. Yay Missouri! My home state! 👏👏👏👏. Not surprised Trump demands a $100,000 fee. I wonder which portion will land in his pocket. As to Ferreira, she was too kind with her comment re: Leavitt. Now we know who is the better Catholic. Exactly where will the $100K H-1B fee be deposited? Which country is stupid enough to pay the blackmail fee? After all, the brown-skinned person with the overpriced H-1B visa may well be picked up by an ICE goon and deported to some hellhole elsewhere in the world, never to be heard from again. Ferreira should look into removing Blonde Barbie as her son's godmother. And, suing the corrupt and disgusting DHS and its Brown-haired, plastic surgery constructed Barbie for false arrest. Just another example of how the Supreme Court, aided by the abdication of Congress, has flipped the intended roles of our government. The Executive exists to ensure that the laws are carried out, not to change them, write them, or override them. This power resides in our elected representatives, but requires that they emerge from their self-imposed stupor and do their jobs in our behalf. The courts are to uphold those laws and enforce accountability. Ultimately it comes down to us to hold them all to account. H1-B VISAS:  Other nations are aggressively soliciting RESEARCHERS and others - MASSIVE US BRAIN DRAIN!  PLEASE NOTE THAT CANADA HAS BEEN VERY PUBLIC ABOUT THIS ISSUE. Just as we thought the MAGA MAGGOTS couldn't get more STUPID or DESTRUCTIVE, they continue to prove us wrong!  Paul Krugman commented months ago that what is being DESTROYED cannot be rebuilt!  The STUPIDITY of attacking 'foreigners' includes not only researchers, but FOREIGN STUDENTS who come to STUDY and are FUNDED by their nations, Foreign Doctors who are BRILLIANT in their fields of expertise (we've already seen examples), "FELLOWS" from other nations who come to study & learn from Boston's many great research facilities - taking that research back to their countries to improve their practices.  One 'FELLOW" was a practicing opthamalogist with a mobile van treating patients in REFUGEE CAMPS & was particularly proud that he was able to save the vision of a young woman.  TRUMP banned those 'FOREIGNERS.'  MAGA MIDGETS protested when some US NOBEL PRIZES were awarded to 'immigrants' because they can't figure out that BRILLIANCE comes in many colors & sizes, as well as ignoring that Americans are lazy & don't foster EDUCATION. (How many US schools graduate kids who are illiterate?)  This is the TRUMP/MAGA future that focuses on WHITE SUPREMACY, BIGOTRY & RACISM...& destroys ALL ELSE!   DEMOCRACY LABS published a list of 100 Free Resources - The Dworkin Report was not included - maybe some posters can get it corrected.  Lots of other resources included.  Democracy Labs (TheDemLabs.org) free resources for social justice https://newsletters.glide.page/dl/a400f7