This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“Expanding our forest canopy is one piece of the larger puzzle to combatting climate change in Massachusetts. With continuous heat waves leading to higher energy bills and greater greenhouse gas emissions, our Greening the Gateway Cities Program leverages our state resources and engages residents to help plant trees and enhance public health. Reducing the urban heat island effect is a top priority, and our non-profit partnerships … will help cool our neighborhoods, towns and cities.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

DNA AND STATUTE OR LIMITATIONS (H 4836)

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would amend the law to allow prosecutors to bring rape charges at any time if the perpetrator is identified through DNA evidence collected from a victim. Currently, the 15-year statute of limitations is a barrier to prosecution of serial offenders, as more than 15 years may elapse before a perpetrator is identified through DNA evidence. Continue reading DNA AND STATUTE OR LIMITATIONS (H 4836)

HEALEY SIGNS FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4885)

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law a bill that would change some of the state’s gun laws.

Provisions include cracking down on untraceable “ghost guns;” banning firearms in additional public spaces like schools, polling places and government buildings; expanding the 2018 “red flag” law that allows school administrators and licensed health care providers to petition a court to temporarily take firearms away from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others; closing loopholes that allow the modification of legal firearms into illegal automatic weapons; and providing a legacy clause so all firearms legally owned and registered in Massachusetts as of the effective date of the bill will continue to be legal and may be bought and sold within the state. Continue reading HEALEY SIGNS FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4885)

LONG TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING (S 2889)

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved a bill making changes to the state’s long term care and assisted living industry which supporters said will take “a powerful step towards delivering the high quality and safe care that Massachusetts seniors deserve by substantially strengthening oversight and enforcement while also requiring facilities to create outbreak plans should a health issue arise.”
Continue reading LONG TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING (S 2889)

PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (H 4910)

By Bob Katzen

The House 158-0, approved a bill that supporters say would make major changes and reforms to the state’s pharmaceutical system by lowering the cost of drugs at the pharmacy counter and improving oversight of the pharmaceutical industry. They said the measure protects patients and independent pharmacists by regulating the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry; banning many of the industry’s worst business practices; and reducing or eliminating co-pays for certain chronic conditions.
Continue reading PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (H 4910)

BAN ELEPHANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS (H 4915)

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that effective January 1, 2025, would ban elephants, bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and other wild animals from being used in traveling circuses and other traveling shows in Massachusetts where they would be used to perform tricks, give rides or otherwise participate as an accompaniment for the entertainment of a live audience. Continue reading BAN ELEPHANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS (H 4915)

News ’bout Town….Pick of the Week..Medford

I truly saw Man’s second best friend this week, Kolin Burgoyne, owner of Colleen’s fine, popular Ice Cream, Medford SQ!! I had eye surgery this week and while telling him I could not lift, he added he would like to lift the heavy mulch for me on the isle dedicated to my family…bags of 40 lbs! Nice moment in a busy store and home schedule…I began adorning this isle four years ago
Continue reading News ’bout Town….Pick of the Week..Medford

Registrar Maria Curtatone and Son In Somerville District Court Again

By News Staff

Just shy of three years ago coming up in a few days, Maria Curtatone, her daughter and their friends were accused of destruction of property for destroying Billy Tauro political campaign signs and defacing Somerville/Medford News Weekly newspaper boxes causing a criminal complaint taken out against Curtatone’s daughter. The incident was even caught on videotape surveillance from local shops in the perimeter area. Continue reading Registrar Maria Curtatone and Son In Somerville District Court Again