The MBTA's commuter rail contract is about to become the most expensive line item in the agency's history, and Monday is decision day — sort of. Final bids from Keolis and two rival operators are due today for a new nine-year deal to run the system, and whoever wins will be signing up for costs that experts say could blow past $10 billion over the life of the contract.

Here's the number that should make every rider and taxpayer sit up: the T's current deal with Keolis was supposed to cost $4.2 billion over 12 years. Instead, it's cost about $5.2 billion through last June — nearly $1 billion over budget — and that doesn't even include the final fiscal year's tab, which isn't locked in yet. Brian Kane, who runs the T's advisory board, has floated the $10 billion figure for the next contract, and if that holds, it would represent a staggering escalation for a system that riders already complain doesn't run often enough or reliably enough.

Why does this matter beyond the spreadsheet? Because every dollar that goes to running trains is a dollar that isn't going to fixing the Red Line, extending service, or keeping fares affordable. The T says it's done an independent cost estimate to use as a baseline for bids, but the real test comes at the end of the year when the agency picks a winner — Keolis or one of its two competitors — and Massachusetts finds out just how much more expensive it will be to keep the trains running through 2036. Watch for that announcement, and watch for pushback from riders and legislators once the number becomes public.

Full story at Boston Globe →

Nor'easter finally loosens its grip. The slow-moving coastal storm that battered Massachusetts all weekend is winding down Monday, but a Flood Watch remains in effect through Tuesday and another band of heavy rain was expected to move through Monday morning. Nearly 70,000 customers lost power at the storm's peak, with the South Shore taking a beating — Scituate, Cohasset, and Hull all saw gusts over 50 mph, a seawall and home foundation were damaged in Humarock, and a toppled utility pole in Quincy landed on a parked car. WBZ / CBS Boston →

Two ballot questions, two very different fights over how you vote. Question 3 would scrap party primaries in favor of a single "all-party primary," with supporters arguing it boosts competition and opponents warning it does the opposite. Question 4 would let Massachusetts voters register on Election Day itself rather than 10 days ahead — Secretary of State Bill Galvin is a backer, the state GOP is opposed, and if it passes it wouldn't kick in until 2028. Start reading up now; November is closer than it feels. WBUR → and Boston.com →

Lakeville police fatally shoot man during a "well-being check." Gregory Buckley, 31, was shot and killed Saturday after officers responding to a family's request to check on him found him allegedly pointing a gun at them in his Heritage Hill home. Four officers were taken to the hospital for evaluation and released; State Police are investigating, and the incident was captured on body cameras. It's the kind of case that will likely renew questions about how police respond to mental health crises. Boston Globe →

Bristol County police chiefs are fed up with Ash Street Jail turning away arrestees. Sheriff Paul Heroux tightened medical and mental-health screening at the jail, and refusals have jumped from 32 in 2022 to 135 last year — forcing local departments to burn hours at hospitals or pull officers off patrol to guard detainees themselves. Swansea's police chief called the situation "completely appalling" in a letter to Heroux, and it's becoming a real flashpoint over who's supposed to bear the cost of the county's public safety obligations. New Bedford Light →

Healey dangles $1 million to get phones out of classrooms. With no statewide cellphone ban in place, Governor Maura Healey is offering grants to help districts buy phone pouches, train staff, and write policies — applications are due October 21. It's a modest sum relative to the scope of the problem, but it signals where state education policy is heading even without legislative action. Boston.com →

Marshfield's new town administrator says the whole town has been skipping procurement law. Five weeks into the job, Ted Langill told the Select Board that departments across Marshfield haven't been following procurement rules — calling it a liability — as the board adopted a 12-month list of expectations for his position. A new procurement policy is being drafted now, with enforcement expected by November. South Shore News →

Tuesday, September 29: A critical status hearing in the Lindsay Clancy case at Plymouth Superior Court could determine whether Timothy Cruz's office retries the Duxbury mother after her murder trial ended in a hung jury earlier this month. WCVB plans to stream it live. WCVB →

October 1: New SNAP benefit amounts and eligibility rules take effect nationwide, affecting an estimated 37 million recipients — worth checking if you or someone you know relies on the program. WWLP →

October 21: Deadline for Massachusetts schools and districts to apply for Healey's new $1 million phone-free schools grant program. Boston.com →

Track all bills →

Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Big Spending This Week

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

Full hearing schedule →

Recent filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance:

Candidates

• Diego Leonardo — House, 16th Essex — Filed: 9/28/2026
• Emily Doran (Democratic) — City Councilor, Somerville — Filed: 9/28/2026
• Raymond Boutin (Democratic) — City Councilor, Lowell — Filed: 9/28/2026

PACs

• Recall Mayor Brian Depena Political Action Committee — N/A, N/A — Filed: 9/24/2026

Ballot Question Committees

• Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Policy — N/A, No office — Filed: 9/23/2026

OCPF →

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