By Bob Katzen

The Baker administration announced the launch of the Massachusetts Data Hub, a new data search tool that allows users to search state resources and data by topic and keyword and to browse featured data published by state government.
Continue reading LAUNCH OF MASSACHUSETTS DATA HUB →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that makes it a criminal offense when a medical or healthcare professional induces a patient to engage in sexual intercourse or touching by falsely representing that the act is necessary for a legitimate medical purpose. The measure adds sections to the existing rape and indecent assault and battery statutes to criminalize behavior by medical professionals where there has been a fraudulent representation of the necessity and propriety of conduct and adds these crimes to the law on the statute of limitations for other sexual assaults. Continue reading SEXUAL ASSAULT UNDER FALSE MEDICAL REPRESENTATION →

By Bob Katzen
The Senate approved an amendment clearing the name of Elizabeth Johnson who in 1693 was the last person convicted of witchcraft, at the height of the Salem Witch Trials. Johnson was sentenced to death by hanging but was never executed. The state approved legislation in the 1900s that cleared the names of those who were executed and had not been exonerated, but that excluded Johnson. She never had children so there has never been a group of descendants pushing for exoneration. Continue reading CLEARING NAME OF “NON-WITCH” ELIZABETH JOHNSON →

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Baker a bill that would require the state to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail Program. The measure includes requiring the state to designate properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suffrage.
Continue reading CREATING WOMEN’S RIGHTS HISTORY TRAIL PROGRAM →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved an amendment increasing by $500,000 (from $1,033,019 to $1,533,019) funding for the “Citizenship for New Americans Program” to assist eligible low-income legal permanent residents of the Bay State to become citizens of the United States. They said that this program leads to high rates of success on the naturalization exam. Continue reading NEW AMERICANS →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 40-0, approved an amendment requiring that LGBTQ service members who were forced out of the military with anything other than an honorable discharge under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell'” policy that barred openly gay, lesbian or bisexual persons from military service from 1994 to 2011, be eligible for state benefits from the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services. Continue reading DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 38-0, approved an amendment providing an additional $750,000 to fund “Hey Sam”—an anonymous peer-to-peer mental health texting program staffed by young people. The service, available to people up to 24 years old, gives youths the opportunity to reach peers if they are suicidal, lonely, depressed, overwhelmed, struggling or need any kind of support an domeone with whom they can talk. Continue reading ADDITIONAL $750,000 FOR GOOD SAMARITANS →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 10-30, rejected a tax reduction amendment that would provide a 3-month suspension of the 24-cent -per-gallon gas tax; reduce from 12 percent to 5 percent the short-term capital gains tax rate; double the dependent care tax credit from $240 to $480 for one qualifying individual and to $960 for two or more individuals; increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000; increase the threshold for “no tax status” to $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for joint filers; and double the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker Credit. Continue reading TAX CUTS →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 40-0, approved a $49.78 billion fiscal 2023 state budget after adding nearly 500 amendments and $93 million in spending during three days of debate. The House has already approved a different version and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor. Continue reading $49.78 BILLION FISCAL 2023 STATE BUDGET →

By Bob Katzen

The House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission— commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners. Massachusetts is one of only two states that does not have a law about this crime. Continue reading REVENGE PORN (H 4498) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 118-36, Senate 32-8, approved and Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a conference committee version of legislation that would, starting July 1, 2023, allow undocumented/illegal immigrants to apply for a Massachusetts standard driver’s license. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the measure and this compromise was reached by a conference committee comprised of three senators and three representatives. The wide margin of passage by both branches means that each branch has the necessary two-thirds vote to override Baker’s veto. Continue reading BAKER VETOES ALLOWING DRIVER’S LICENSE FOR UNDOCUMENTED/ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS(H 4805) →

PRIDE Month in Medford kicks off June 2nd with flag raising at City Hall.

Month-long events series to include “Dinner, Drinks, & Drag,” an outdoor dance/skate/mingle party, youth story time and teen Zine workshop, PRIDE celebration & more. Continue reading Medford to Celebrate PRIDE with Events Throughout June →