LILLIAN’S OBITUARY:

Complete Obituary will be posted soon.
Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Lillian J. DiFraia →

By Bob Katzen

“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us many hard lessons. The failure to center both equity and public health expertise in the state’s response to the pandemic cost us dearly. Now, we must commit to building a 21st-century public health system that will provide robust protections to all Massachusetts residents, regardless of income, race or zip code.
—Carlene Pavlos, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Public Health Association. Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL →

By Bob Katzen

The Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee held a virtual hearing on a measure that would prohibit the idling of any trains for more than 30 minutes. Continue reading STATE TO LIMIT TRAIN IDLING TO 30 MINUTES →

By Bob Katzen

The State Administration and Regulatory Committee held a virtual hearing on a proposal that would establish September 11 as a Day of Remembrance in recognition of the loss of life and service of first responders at the World Trade Center in New York City in 2001. Continue reading SEPTEMBER 11 REMEMBRANCE DAY →

By Bob Katzen

The Transportation Committee held a virtual hearing on legislation that would ban drivers from recording or broadcasting a video of themselves while driving. Continue reading STATE TO BAN RECORDING AND BROADCASTING WHILE DRIVING →

By Bob Katzen

Beacon Hill has a full plate: Offshore wind, solar and other climate change policies. Leftover American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and spending options. The fiscal year 2023 budget. Tax cuts. Mental health care access. Prescription drug costs. Education priorities. The MBTA. Sports betting. Continue reading ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL INSIGHTS ON THE LEGISLATURE’S UPCOMING AGENDA – →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to be a veteran.
Continue reading SECRETARY OF VETERANS SERVICES MUST BE A VETERAN (S 2739) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 38-1, approved an amendment that would require that both veterans’ homes be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and be required to meet state standards that are currently required for nursing facilities. Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), the sponsor of the amendment, said the amendment will ensure that the homes meet high state standards. Continue reading REQUIRE SOLDIERS’ HOMES TO MEET STATE STANDARDS →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved a bill that would make major changes to the oversight and governance structure of the state’s veterans’ homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. The proposal follows the deaths of 77 veteran residents in 2020 as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke facility. Continue reading STATE’S VETERANS’ HOMES OVERSIGHT BILL (S 2739) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 28-128, rejected an amendment that would provide an additional $100 million to cities and towns in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges across the state. This would be in addition to the $100 million already included in the spending package. Continue reading $100 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL ROAD FUNDS →

By Bob Katzen

The House 156-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $1.6 billion supplemental budget that contains $700 million for COVID-19 related expenses including $432 million for COVID testing, $72 million for treatments, $45 million for expanded vaccination access and $25 million for personal protective equipment. Continue reading STATE $1.6 BILLION SPENDING PACKAGE →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill to protect persons with disabilities by imposing up to a 1-year prison sentence on anyone who forces someone with a disability to have sexual intercourse. Continue reading PROTECTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prohibit a city or town from using zoning laws to ban a homeowner who owns a single-family home on a lot with more than 5,000 feet, from building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), sometimes known as an in-law apartment. Continue reading “IN-LAW APARTMENTS” AND LOCAL ZONING LAWS →