Setti Warren, who has all but formally announced his intention to run for governor by stepping down as mayor in Newton, said he’ll be making his decision very soon – perhaps this week – after he finalizes his last city budget.

A bill to expunge the criminal records of people arrested for marijuana possession, proposed by state Sen. Patricia Jehlen, is making its way through a series of very popular hearings.

With recent ballot questions about charter schools and recreational marijuana in mind, state Rep. Jonathan Hecht is proposing legislation that might counter “deep pocketed” special interest groups with too much sway over how referenda appear before voters.