The City of Somerville seeks volunteers to help with the Patriots’ Day Colonial Fair on Monday, April 18, at Foss Park. Volunteers will oversee colonial games, serve refreshments, and coordinate poetry readings. Continue reading Somerville Seeks Volunteers for Patriots’ Day & Docent Program →

By Bob Katzen

“I will never stop working to provide legal protections to allow people to simply be who they are,” the Ashland Democrat said. “That’s as simple as it is. We should be letting people be who they are.”
—Senate President Karen Spilka addressing legislators and advocates celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility and denounce what they say are restrictive laws in other states that harm transgender youth. Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL →

By Bob Katzen

This bill would require Massachusetts public education curriculum include the histories, roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in the history of the Bay State and the nation. Continue reading INCLUDE LGBTQ HISTORY IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would allow a defendant in a housing eviction case to have the records of the case sealed unless the landlord wins on the merits or a tenant breaks an agreement and is evicted by a constable. The measure needs additional approval by the House before it goes to the Senate for consideration. Continue reading EVICTIONS →

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved, on voice votes, without a roll call, and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a $1.6 billion supplemental budget that contains $700 million for COVID-19 related expenses including testing, treatments, expanded vaccination access and personal protective equipment. Continue reading $1.67 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow car dealers in Massachusetts to provide temporary license plates for vehicles that are purchased by out-of-state residents and allow them to use the plates until the vehicle can be driven to and registered in their home state. Continue reading MASS TEMPORARY LICENSE PLATES →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 40-0, approved a bill that would prohibit any person or entity including educational institutions workplaces and public spaces from implementing any policy that would explicitly target someone who wears their natural hairstyle. Continue reading “CROWN ACT” – FORBID DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A PERSON WITH A NATURAL HAIRSTYLE →

By Bob Katzen

The House 28-128, rejected an amendment that would provide an additional $25 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 $200 million already included in the spending package.
Continue reading ANOTHER $25 MILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4638) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 156-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $250 million package that includes authorizing $200 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. Continue reading $350 MILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND MORE →