Approved with unanimous bipartisan support, the budget maintains fiscal responsibility and recommends targeted investments to address emerging needs, safeguard the health and wellness of the most vulnerable populations and ensure residents will benefit equitably as the state recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreAs the daughter of a veteran, I continue to be heartbroken for the families of those who lost their lives to COVID-19 at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. I am grateful to the loved ones who testified so bravely before the Special Joint Committee on the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, even in the midst of their own heartbreak.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, May 25, the Massachusetts State Senate adjourned in memory of George Floyd.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday unanimously gave final legislative approval to a bill authorizing $400 million in bonds for the design and construction of a new soldiers’ home facility in Holyoke. The bill also authorizes the issuance of $200 million in bonds to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for veterans across the state.
Read MoreToday, 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.
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