The Red Sox couldn't go on winning forever. The team finally lost last night, just hours after tying the franchise record for longest winning streak. The Sox are now in potential playoff position, even after a horrid season start. The Sox have an off day today, before another home series this weekend at Fenway. (Time to start another streak.) Now, to the news: Did you meet your fun quotient? As the World Cup, Tartan Army and tall ships fade in the rearview mirror, the expiration date for Massachusetts' special summer of fun rules quickly approaches. The law allowing later last calls and outdoor drinking districts is set to expire next Friday, July 31. Or maybe not. A group of state senators have proposed a suite of amendments — dubbed the "fun agenda" — to an economic development bill making its way through the State House that includes making those rules permanent. "I don't think we want to go backward," state Sen. Pavel Payano, one of the six "fun agenda" sponsors, told WBUR's John Bender. "We want to be able to be ready for the next big event." - What else? The fun agenda doesn't stop at keeping 3 a.m. last calls and outdoor drinking zones. The package also includes lifting Massachusetts' ban on happy hour via a local option for cities and towns — something the Senate has tried to do before. An amendment by Payano would let restaurants and bars serve alcohol on Sundays as early as 8 a.m., like any other day. (Currently, they must wait until 10 a.m. on Sundays.) There's also an amendment mirroring Gov. Maura Healey's resale ticket price cap proposal; a proposed micro-grant program for performers, artists and promoters; a few ideas to encourage outdoor recreation; and a working group to explore creating a "Massachusetts Cup" soccer tournament.
- Why? Fun agenda supporters framed the proposals as a way to boost the local economy and help keep young people in Massachusetts. " We have a lot of young people that leave our state," Payano said. "Primarily, it's the cost of housing. ... But the other thing is that in these other states they feel like their economy, their communities, reflect them more." Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also support making the temporary rules permanent.
- Can it actually pass? The Senate is slated to vote on the "fun agenda" amendments today, before passing the larger economic development bill. Then, they'll have to iron out the differences with the bill passed by the House earlier this month . While the House is already on board with Payano's Sunday alcohol sales proposal, the fate of the other proposals is more uncertain. House Speaker Ron Mariano said yesterday he was unsure if the proposals had majority support in the chamber. "I haven't talked to many people about whether or not they hit their fun quotient every night," he told reporters. State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the House Ways and Means chairman, specifically cast doubt yesterday on the happy hour proposal, pointing to restaurant industry opposition. As for the rest of the fun agenda? " We'll have a conversation with our [Senate] colleagues and see what we come up with," Michlewitz said.
Meanwhile: As expected, the House passed a bill yesterday that would loosen restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy and give doctors more freedom to use their professional judgment. WBUR's Gin Dumcius reports the bill passed on a mostly party line vote. Read his full story for more on the backstory about why supporters are pushing for the change now. - Next up: The bill will head to the Senate — and potentially a conference committee if the upper chamber doesn't 100% agree with the House's language. ("We always hope they'll see the light," Michlewitz quipped.) A spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka told Gin they plan to look it over.
The not-so-fast lane: The Boston Marathon is adding a lottery for runners who were fast enough to qualify for the race — but not fast enough to get under the increasingly difficult cut-off time. Starting with next year's race, the BAA will let in 1,000 runners through the "Boston Qualifier Selection" lottery. WBUR's Roberto Scalese explains how it will work here. - FYI: The lottery means an additional 1,000 entries in the typically 30,000-person field, according to a BAA spokesperson. (In other words, they're not taking away any other qualifying slots or charity bibs to make room.)
Drumroll, please: The next MBTA commuter rail station with fare gates will be... Ruggles. The T announced yesterday that gates at the Roxbury station will turn on Aug. 3, meaning commuter rail riders will need to scan a valid ticket to both enter and exit the platform. It's the third commuter rail station to get fare gates, after North Station and South Station. (Back Bay is slated to become the fourth early next year.) P.S.— Game lovers, you don't want to miss tonight's CitySpace event. We're hosting an evening of fun and games with Joel Fagliano, the lead editor of New York Times Games and creator of the Mini Crossword. There will be prizes and you’ll get to ask Joel all your questions about how the games are made. Get tickets here. |
