Published July 27, 2010

Sen. John Kerry (AP)

The Boston Herald put him in an impossible position.

Last week, the paper’s “Inside Track” gals — Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa — broke the story that Sen. John Kerry purchased a $7 million yacht and skipped the Massachusetts “sails tax.” Thing is, Kerry didn’t buy her in Massachusetts. He bought her and kept her in Rhode Island, where there is no sales tax on vessels. Still, the Herald kept hounding the senator over its manufactured controversy.

Late on Tuesday night, Boston.com ran a non-story — curiously late — about statements made by Kerry’s office on Sunday, promising he would pay any and all applicable taxes.

I publicly asked why Kerry should be obliged to pay sales taxes on a boat he bought in another state. He did not appear to break any laws. Twitterer @HubScout thoughtfully replied, in a series of tweets:

He lives in Mass & sails mostly in Mass – so choosing different, cheaper state to dock sends odd message for a state official. It’s kinda like a senator voting to impose liquor taxes on Massachusetts residents, while driving to R.I. to get his tax free.

Point taken. Kerry could keep evading the tax — and let the story live.

But this just in: The Globe reports he did something more odd today: Kerry agreed to voluntarily cut a check for about $500,000 to make the story go away. That’s the amount Kerry would have owed had he purchased the boat in the Bay State instead of the Ocean State.

Published July 27, 2010

People have had emotional reactions to my story about Monday’s Massachusetts SJC ruling on homeowner liability when it comes to icy sidewalks.

Charles Lindbergh staged an impressive recovery after slipping on ice in this January 1935 file photo. (AP)

I reported an explainer today for Morning Edition. If you missed it, the state’s highest court closed a loophole — rooted in medieval English common law — that has helped many a plaintiff escape liability.

The reaction from readers is unevenly split: It seems most of you think this is the latest example of our overly litigious commonwealth. Some are even scared that they can’t do enough to protect themselves from a lawsuit.

Other readers are thrilled that property owners are out of excuses for impassable sidewalks. I know this post is long, but I promise I picked only the most interesting comments.

In this corner…

Thank you, SJC. While we may be sweltering now, winter is not far away. Property owners — commercial and residential — need to step up and take care of their property –Eric

while it is upsetting to know that there will be frivolous suits brought over un-cleared sidewalks there is
another way to look at it. In the city trying to get around can be a real problem when a neighbor or business doesn’t do a decent job of clearing their sidewalk. –TMacD

And in this corner…

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