Today, the Massachusetts State Senate gave final legislative approval to a bill to guarantee COVID emergency paid leave to workers, as well as avoid drastic unemployment insurance rate increases paid by employers. The bill was back before the Legislature this week after having been returned by the Governor with an amendment.
Read MoreToday, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means announced a $47.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). The Committee’s budget is a forward-looking plan that maintains fiscal responsibility and recommends targeted investments to address emerging needs, safeguard the health and wellness of our most vulnerable populations and ensure our residents can benefit equitably as we recover from the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a more inclusive and resilient Commonwealth.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill authorizing $400 million in bonds for the design and construction of a new facility for the soldiers’ home in Holyoke. It also authorizes the issuance of $200 million in general obligation bonds to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for Massachusetts veterans across the state, with an emphasis on those areas not primarily served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.
Read More“The verdict reached in the Derek Chauvin trial has brought relief to many of us, and a glimpse of hope for more accountability, and ultimately, justice.”
Read MoreI have been particularly struck by the statistics on the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on women in the workplace. Before the pandemic, women in Massachusetts were participating in the workforce at increasing rates, surpassing the national rate by 2019 – but the pandemic has brought women back to where they were after the 2009 recession.
Read MoreOur municipal employees, including our teachers and first responders, have been essential to the state’s COVID-19 response. We were disappointed to see Governor Baker’s amendment to exclude them from paid sick leave benefits.
Read MoreComprehensive bill also includes updates to Unemployment Insurance and Paycheck Protection Program loans, extends tax filing deadline
Read More“The Senate and House reaffirm today that this landmark climate legislation is too important to delay,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).
Read MoreThe Massachusetts House of Representatives and state Senate on Thursday March 11, 2021, passed legislation to extend mail-in voting and early voting options for elections held through the end of June 2021. The vote-by-mail provision was previously set to expire at the end of March 2021.
Read MoreWe can fight climate change, grow the economy, and support the most vulnerable at the same time. Doing all three is the mission the Legislature accepted in originally passing The Next Generation Roadmap bill and the actions of the House and the Senate will preserve this mission intact.
Read MoreThe Senate and House have reached agreement on a bill to help workers and employers jumpstart our nascent recovery as we begin to slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement strikes a balance to ensure that businesses can continue to move forward while protecting those working hard to keep the economy going. T
Read MoreA top priority for everyone in government, whether at the local, state or federal level, should be getting our students and teachers and staff back into the classroom safely.
Read MoreCOVID-19 Committee to probe Baker Administration plans, with testimony from the Joint Committees on Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion; Healthcare Financing; and Public Health.
Read MoreToday, I am announcing the creation of the new Senate Special Committee on Reimagining Massachusetts: Post-Pandemic Resiliency. I look forward to it acting as a forum for oversight, coordination and ideas as we create a new vision for the Commonwealth’s future.
Read MorePhoto Exhibition Replaces Photos of Past Senate Presidents with Women from Massachusetts’ History; Current Installment Celebrates Accomplishments of Women of Color
Read MoreThe Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate reaffirmed its commitment today to addressing the climate crisis facing our Commonwealth by passing legislation that overhauls our state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature passed $627 million in funding for a sweeping economic recovery and development bill which will provide much-needed support to businesses, investments in infrastructure, and creation of new jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More“As we begin our work this Senate session, we do so against a backdrop of national hardship – and those who would seek to divide us along political, ideological or racial lines. At this crucial, precarious time, however, there is no room in government for ‘us’ against ‘them.’ Here in Massachusetts, at least, there is no ‘them,’ there is only ‘us.’ And we will all rise and fall together.”
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature on Tuesday, January 5, 20201, passed legislation aimed at eliminating racial inequities in maternal health.
Read MoreOn Monday, January 4th, the Massachusetts Legislature passed breakthrough climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities. The bill sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions limit, as well as statewide limits every five years; increases the requirements for offshore wind energy procurement bringing the statewide total to 5,600 megawatts; requires emission reduction goals for MassSave, the state’s energy efficiency program; and, for the first time, establishes the criteria in statute that define environmental justice populations.
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