shutterstock_444377182-300x213In what has become a highly anticipated annual game of “Will They/Won’t They,” the Massachusetts legislature again failed to pass comprehensive noncompete reform legislation this year, despite much fanfare and high hopes from certain quarters. This should come as no surprise to our loyal readers, who have seen this happen virtually every year over the past decade, but it actually seemed as though something might be different this year, with the House and Senate both passing bills, and the Governor signaling his support for the House version.  Alas, the wheels of state government have again come to a screeching halt with no movement as the 2016 legislative session ended late last night with no compromise.  No controversial matters can now be advanced until the next legislative session, which begins in January 2017.  As we seem to say every summer, maybe next year . . .