Gov. Deval Patrick delivered a wide-ranging speech on health care cost containment efforts in Massachusetts but failed to take a clear position on what could become one of the more controversial points of disagreement between the House and Senate: a hospital luxury tax. Asked whether he could weigh in on the House’s plan to tax high cost providers and redistribute that money to financially strapped community hospitals, Patrick joked, “Could I, or would I?” He went on to suggest that the luxury tax might be unnecessary because he mistakenly believed the assessment would be targeted to Continue reading >>>

By BOB SALSBERG BOSTON Gov. Deval Patrick praised lawmakers Tuesday for tackling the high cost of medical care in Massachusetts while expressing reservations about some aspects of cost containment legislation, including a proposal to create a new state agency responsible for monitoring health care expenditures. Patrick's remarks to a breakfast meeting of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce came hours before the Continue reading >>>

The following is a press release from the Arlington Trojans. It has been lightly edited. The Arlington Trojans will be hosting an open tryout Saturday, May 19, from noon to 2 p.m., at Summer Street Park in Arlington. The Trojans compete in the Intercity League, a wood-bat baseball league that showcases some of the most talented collegiate and amateur baseball players in the Greater Boston area. Getting ready to enter his third season as head coach of the Arlington Trojans, Joe Hart has been working all off-season to put together an extremely competitive baseball team that hopes to make a run at Continue reading >>>

By Glen Johnson, Globe Staff Speaking to both state and national audiences, Governor Deval Patrick today defended the idea of government promoting near universal health care, even as he called on lawmakers, health care providers, and the business community to work jointly on controlling its cost. The twin targets reflected his role both as leader of the state and a top surrogate speaker for President Obama. The Democratic president is defending his federal health care overhaul from criticism by Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee who enacted the state’s Continue reading >>>

Golf Town, Canada's largest specialty golf retailer, and Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOLF), announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement, pursuant to which Golf Town will acquire Golfsmith, a leading specialty golf retailer in the United States, for US $6.10 per share in cash. Golf Town is owned by OMERS Private Equity and operates 54 stores across Canada and 7 stores in the greater Boston area. Golfsmith has been in business for over 40 years and is a speciality retailer of golf equipment and related apparel and accessories. The transaction will result in Continue reading >>>

Could it be "game over" for Curt Schilling [stats]’s video game company already? Rhode Island economic development officials are reportedly are trying to keep 38 Studios afloat just three months after the former Red Sox [team stats] pitcher’s first video game release. Gov. Lincoln Chafee himself spent the weekend working with company executives on "keeping 38 Studios solvent," according to the Providence Journal. The Ocean State lured 38 Studios away from Massachusetts last year with a $75 million loan guarantee. 38 Studios had received nearly $50 million in cash from the loan as of mid-March. “We’re Continue reading >>>