The Massachusetts Senate passed legislation to create a more secure egg supply chain and raise Massachusetts’ farm animal welfare standards to align with other states. The bill would upgrade Massachusetts’ egg production law to create predictability and certainty by mirroring the even stronger national United Egg Producers cage-free guidelines, which have been adopted by leading retailers, producers, and other states.
Read MoreThe Legislature will be rejecting the governor’s amendment to immediately spend $2.815 billion in available American Rescue Plan funds. Our actions this week will preserve the funds while allowing all parties to participate in the discussion and help make decisions about how to allocate these resources.
Read MoreThe Legislature has made clear its belief that appropriating American Rescue Plan funding must be done through a transparent and deliberative process.
Read MoreThe Legislature today adopted a joint resolution establishing August 14 and 15, 2021 as the state’s sales tax holiday. We invite all residents to go out and benefit from this opportunity as we incentivize investment in our businesses and continue the work of setting our economy on a path to post-pandemic recovery.
Read MoreToday, the House and Senate agreed to report out a conference committee bill, in-part, that temporarily extends and reinstates a slate of measures instituted in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Read MoreToday, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill which would extend a slate of measures instituted in Massachusetts during the State of Emergency stemming from COVID-19. If signed into law, this bill would result in the included measures being temporarily extended beyond the State of Emergency’s expiration on June 15, 2021.
Read MoreAt a Joint Session of the Massachusetts Legislature, members of the House and Senate on Wednesday held a Constitutional Convention where they advanced an amendment to the state Constitution to provide greater investments in education and transportation funding.
Read MoreAfter a long and difficult fifteen months, the Commonwealth is poised to invest over $5.28 billion in American Rescue Plan funding. These funds are designed to address the profound needs of our communities, as well as provide the tools necessary to ensure a steady and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions.
Read MoreApproved 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 More
