Massachusetts Politics: Top 10 Stories of 2016

A presidential year is a crazy time to cover politics, and even though Massachusetts avoided much of the limelight in this topsy turvy year, our readers still cared about what was happening at the state level.

With our political coverage on Beacon Hill Patch, we asked the same question Patch tries to answer everywhere else: How doe this impact you, locally? Why does this matter to Massachusetts, whether you live in Framingham or Quincy? We hope we helped answer those questions, and illuminate the world of Beacon Hill politics, plus the myriad ties to national news for us here.

So, without further ado, here is your countdown to the most-read Massachusetts politics story of 2016:

10. Elizabeth Warren to Donald Trump: Campaign Promises 'Already Failing'

"I will track your every move, and I will remind Americans, every day, of the actions you take that fail them," Sen. Elizabeth Warren warned President-elect Donald Trump in her first major speech since his Nov. 8 win.

9. MA Marijuana Legalization Rolls Out This Week

Marijuana is legal for recreational as of mid-December. This guide outlines the do's and don'ts under the new law.

8. Gun Enthusiasts Up in Arms Over AG's 'Copycat' Assault Weapons Ban

Critics called Attorney General Maura Healey's enforcement policy a "political stunt." It was the start of what became a concerted, legal effort to reverse the decision.

7. Leave Eastern Time Zone? Massachusetts Legislators Will Consider

No legislative proposal has generated more debate among our readers than this one. Not only does everyone seem to have an opinion, those opinions are fiercely held. Legislators are slated to consider the question this spring.

6. The 3,000 Chickens at the Center of the Debate

A successful Massachusetts ballot question mandates livestock be kept in cages of a certain size, but there's only one farm it affects.

5. How President Trump's Policies Could Impact Massachusetts: A List

How will a President Donald Trump impact what we do in Massachusetts? Patch took an early look at the possibilities on several key issues.

4. In Marijuana Push, Massachusetts Is Far From Alone

Four other states voted on mirror ballot measures Nov. 8. Here's why, and a look at who was behind the effort to legalize recreational marijuana.

3. Curt Schilling Tweets Photo of Shirt Calling for Hanging of Journalists

It's offensive, yes, but also relevant to this list. Schilling has said he hopes to run against Elizabeth Warren, in a bid for the popular Democrat's Senate seat.

2. Andrea Tantaros Names Scott Brown in Fox News Sexual Harassment Suit

The former Fox News anchor implicated the former Massachusetts senator, who vehemently denied her allegations. Brown, now considered for Trump's Veterans Affairs head, has been one of the then-candidate's most vocal public supporters this past year.

1. Massachusetts' Statewide Ballot Questions for November 2016

Our most-read story of the year was about four statewide questions with huge local implications: legal marijuana, a second slots parlor, charter schools and chickens. We shared the big ballot questions, who was backing them, and a handy video to help.

Archive photo by Patch staff