Dome:
Law, Legislation & Policy

Housed at Boston University School of Law, Dome is a valuable resource for news, analysis, and opinion on legislation and public policy. Dome is staffed by students of BU Law’s various legislation clinics. Dome features work contributed by staff members, scholars, practitioners, and law students interested in legislation and public policy.

Funding the MBTA: Getting Derailed Plans Back on Track

By Kellen Safreed
May 20th, 2020 in Budget & Appropriations, Local Legislation, State Legislation.

Taking the T The transit system of Eastern Massachusetts, governed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, has been the subject of much ire by residents of Greater Boston for decades, particularly where the subway, or “T,” is concerned. A prime example is last year’s decision to raise fares by 6% despite... More

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Mandatory Arbitration Clauses, Class Action Waivers, and the Need to Pass the FAIR Act

By Samuel Shepard
May 19th, 2020 in Analysis, Federal Legislation, Legislation in Court.

Mandatory arbitration clauses and class action waivers have become a fact of life for many American employees.  A mandatory arbitration clause is contractual language that a company has a worker sign requiring that worker to resolve legal disputes in private arbitration — “a quasi-legal forum with no judge, no jury, More

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How We Gonna Pay Last Year’s Rent?* Advocating Rental Housing Reform in Boston

By Alexandra Trobe
May 19th, 2020 in Analysis, Federal Legislation, State Legislation.

*Adam Pascal et al., Rent, on, Rent Original Major Picture Soundtrack (Warner Records 2005). Unprecedented Rental Relief in Unprecedented Times The novel coronavirus is disrupting so much of life in Boston, MA. From school and business closings to rising unemployment rates, more residents than ever are concerned than ever with affording... More

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Post Haste: Why Reform of the US Postal Service is a Matter of Urgent National Concern

By Jordan Neubauer
May 19th, 2020 in Analysis, Budget & Appropriations, Federal Legislation, Legislative Oversight.

President Trump has been antagonistic to the United States Postal Service since the early days of his administration. In his plan for government reorganization, he called for the privatization of the post office. He has tweeted that the post office should charge Amazon more to deliver packages. Most recently, he... More

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Emergency Actions Related to Paid Sick Leave Amidst Coronavirus

By Diana Martinez
May 18th, 2020 in Analysis, Federal Legislation.

Coronavirus COVID-19 has affected the United States unlike any other national crisis:  schools and higher education alike have shifted to virtual classes, millions of employees are working from home, restaurants and gyms are closed down and travel has stopped abruptly. Americans are being told to social distance for fear of... More

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