By Bob Katzen

“There is a food truck outside where the food is free for the senators and staff. The Senate will be in a recess.”
—Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) while presiding over the Senate Sunday afternoon, announcing that a Roxy’s Grilled Cheese truck is on Bowdoin Street just outside the Statehouse.

“This new research builds on what we have long suspected – Massachusetts is not building enough housing to meet demand. Massachusetts must ease barriers to construction and promote pro-housing policies to meet this demand. Doing so will incentivize construction, lower prices, and help us address the state’s housing crisis.”
—Greg Vasil, CEO of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board on a new analysis that shows the Greater Boston Metro Area must develop approximately 42,151 apartment units by 2035 to meet projected demand.

“Not only was Bill Russell professionally and personally successful, he used this success to advocate on behalf of others and to call out injustice in many forms. Both on basketball courts and in the court of public opinion, Russell changed our country for the better.”
—Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) on the death of Boston Celtics great Bill Russell.

“Massachusetts’ vibrant tourism and cultural sectors in cities and towns across the state continue to play a key role in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. By making necessary upgrades to these facilities, the Destination Development grants will bolster the commonwealth’s travel and tourism industry and support continued economic growth.”
—Gov. Baker on the awarding of $2.2 million in grants from the Destination Development Capital program which provides funding for projects that expand, construct, restore or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions.