Massachusetts Legislature

The process of producing a Massachusetts state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st is proceeding on schedule on Beacon Hill.  Unlike last year, when financial uncertainties surrounding the pandemic delayed the final budget for months.

     Advocates have launched a new campaign for a so-called “millionaires tax” in Massachusetts.

   On the eve of the inauguration of President Joe Biden, the Springfield Democratic City Committee hosted a virtual gathering to preview legislative priorities for 2021. 

There is increasing speculation about a change in the top leadership of the Massachusetts House.

   Both the Massachusetts House and Senate have now passed separate bills that would ban certain flame retardants from a variety of consumer products.

The September 1st primary settled a lot as far as who will represent western Massachusetts in the state legislature beginning in January. For the November election, there are just a few closely watched races for House seats.

A bill that would give the terminally ill the option of ending their own lives medically is making its way through the Massachusetts legislature.

     The Massachusetts legislature, despite not meeting for a formal session in more than a month, has passed several bills in response to the pandemic. 

   The largest business association in western Massachusetts has announced its legislative agenda for 2020.

     Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is continuing to campaign for a housing bill. He is hoping to get it across the finish line in this legislative session.

   A Massachusetts state legislator is hoping to highlight a potential health risk to recent military veterans.

     A Democratic state representative from western Massachusetts is not going to run for re-election.

As the Massachusetts legislature begins the final year of the two-year legislative session, advocates are pushing many agendas.

    The scandal at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles widened further this week with several stunning disclosures at a legislative oversight hearing.

         Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a bill to delay the start of a payroll tax to fund paid family and medical leave benefits for all Massachusetts workers.

The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Housing has scheduled a much-anticipated hearing for Tuesday, May 14 on bills to address a shortage of affordable housing in the state.

   A major business group in western Massachusetts has announced its state legislative agenda for 2019. 

    The Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus has announced priorities for the new legislative session.

   Funding for K-12 schools in Massachusetts has emerged as a key issue as the new legislative session begins in earnest on Beacon Hill.

    With a new legislative session just underway on Beacon Hill, there is a new effort to block what some complain is a revolving door at the state’s courthouses.

   Legal gambling has been expanding for the last several years in the Northeast with the opening of more casinos.  The next growth area for gaming is likely to be sports betting.

    Each year new laws take effect and some can have an impact on personal finances. There are several such laws in Massachusetts in 2019. 

   Coming off a landslide reelection victory two months earlier, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker launched his second term Thursday with a mostly forward looking optimistic tone.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has had a low-key, but productive week, signing more than 50 bills sent to him by the legislature in the final days of the legislative session. 

    Massachusetts state lawmakers this week passed a budget that increased funding for the agencies that provide public bus service outside greater Boston.   But it may not be enough to prevent cuts to some of that service.  

As the legislative session draws to a close in Massachusetts, State Senator Adam Hinds says some major tasks remain unfinished. 

    A bill is on the desk of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15, establish a paid family and medical leave program, and enshrine a permanent annual sales tax holiday.   Also, if he signs it, several contentious November ballot questions would likely go away. 

Bills are stacking up on Beacon Hill as the Massachusetts Legislature prepares to make its typical rush to the July 31st finish line of the two-year legislative session.  Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and the Democratic-dominated legislature seem to be in general agreement on their priorities. 

      The Massachusetts House will begin debate next Monday on a state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st.