Senate Ways & Means Committee Reports Out Bill to Increase the Commonwealth's Competitive Advantage
"Today's legislation reported out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee directs the Healey Administration to use the interest from the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund to open doors to historic federal funding opportunities that will support projects across the state and save our state millions of dollars in the coming years," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "It means that we are putting our money to work—and putting it to work for a more affordable, equitable, and competitive Commonwealth."
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Senate Passes Legislation Legalizing Fentanyl Test Strips
“We know two things in Massachusetts as facts: opioids take far too many lives in our state, and fentanyl test strips save them,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “By voting to legalize fentanyl test strips, the Senate is taking a commonsense action step to save lives in our state—and we know it works.”
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"Blue Envelope" Bill Supporting People with Autism Passes Senate
“Today’s action in the Senate would make a common-sense, meaningful, and positive change to how people with Autism Spectrum Disorder interact with members of our law enforcement community, bringing us closer to the ideals we strive for,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).
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Wheelchair Warranty Reform Passed by Massachusetts Senate
“Today the Senate took action to give individuals who use wheelchairs the protections they deserve,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “If a wheelchair breaks down, a user should be able to get it fixed and get back to their daily life as soon as possible, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should have every user’s back.”
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Supplemental Budget to Close Fiscal Year 2023 Passed by Senate, Signed Into Law
The Massachusetts Senate took final action on a supplemental budget designed to close out Fiscal Year 2023. The Senate’s supplemental budget totals $3.1 billion and contains several provisions to support the ongoing operations of programs and services that benefit the residents of the Commonwealth.
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Statement from Senate President Karen Spilka on leaving X
I can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn, as can the Massachusetts State Senate. I hope you will follow me, and the Senate, on these platforms, and join us in leaving X.
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Senate Passes Supplemental Budget to Close Fiscal Year 2023
Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed supplemental budget designed to close out Fiscal Year 2023. The Senate’s supplemental budget totals $2.81 billion and contains several provisions to support the ongoing operations of programs and services that benefit the residents of the Commonwealth.
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Senate Unveils Pharmaceutical Access, Cost and Transparency (PACT) Act 3.0
Today, the Massachusetts Senate unveiled An Act relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Cost and Transparency, otherwise known as the PACT Act 3.0. This comprehensive pharmaceutical cost control legislation is aimed at addressing the rapidly increasing costs of prescription drugs.
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FACT SHEET: PACT Act 3.0
The PACT Act 3.0 is a comprehensive bill that addresses the urgent issue of skyrocketing prescription drug costs for Massachusetts residents.
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Senate passes bill expanding access to HIV prevention drug
Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed An Act enabling pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP, a bipartisan bill that would allow Massachusetts pharmacists to prescribe PrEP—pre-exposure prophylaxis—a life-saving medication that is nearly 100 per cent effective in stopping the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
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Senate votes for historic expansion of access to menstrual products
Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to broadly expand access to menstrual products in a wide range of public facilities across the state. The bill—S.2481, An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products—would require safe and disposable menstrual products to be provided in the Commonwealth’s primary and secondary schools, correctional institutions, and shelters and temporary housing facilities at no cost to recipients. It would also require products to be distributed in a non-stigmatizing and convenient way.
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Senate President's statement on the devastating events in Lewiston
I’m heartbroken for the victims in Lewiston and their families, friends and loved ones who now know firsthand the raw pain of having their lives devastated by a mass shooting. Today my heart is with each of them, and all our neighbors to the north.
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STATEMENT: Senate President Spilka pledges action on prescription drug cost containment by Thanksgiving
Today, at an event at the Brazilian-American Center in Framingham, Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) announced that the Massachusetts State Senate will release and debate a prescription drug affordability bill before Thanksgiving of this year.
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Senate passes legislation addressing Massachusetts pay inequities
With aims to address the wage gap, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation to tackle pay inequities in the state, which significantly and disproportionately impact women and people of color across the Commonwealth. The bill targets these inequities by empowering employees with salary information, including when they are seeking jobs and receiving promotions, and by giving the state new data tools to track employment trends.
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Massachusetts Legislature Passes Comprehensive Tax Relief Package
With the goal of providing financial relief to families across the Commonwealth while making Massachusetts more competitive with other states, the Massachusetts Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan tax relief package supporting residents across all income levels.
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FACT SHEET: Tax Relief for Massachusetts
Highlights of the Conference Committee’s plan to provide responsible tax relief to Massachusetts’ residents and businesses and make the Commonwealth more affordable, equitable, and competitive.
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Senate President Selects Boston Honey Company for Manufacturing Award
Senate President Karen E. Spilka selected Boston Honey Company, a Holliston-based, family-owned manufacturer, to receive a Massachusetts Manufacturing Award.
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Joint Statement on Tax Relief
Joint statement from Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chair Michlewitz, and Chair Rodrigues
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Date Set for Senate President Spilka’s Annual 55+ Health and Wellness Fair
Active agers and families are invited for an informative and fun day at Keefe Tech .
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