Obituary
Mrs. Fernande Saint Leger Regis passed away on March 29, 2025, she was 87. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Fernande Saint Leger →

Obituary
Daniel E. Mosher, known to many as Danny, passed away suddenly on March 30, 2025, at the age of 57. Born in Somerville, he was the cherished son of Carol R. Margey (Ivester) and the late Wayne K. Mosher. Danny was also the beloved brother of the late Kelly Mosher. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Daniel E. Mosher →

Obituary
Patirica H. (Kenny) Govek- Of New York, New York, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, March 28, 2025. She was 91 years old. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Patirica H. (Kenny) Govek →

By Bob Katzen

“It’s an honor to host high school students in the House Chamber as they participate in Student Government Day. It’s very important to engage our young people in our democratic process, and I encourage all of the students participating to become active in state government.”
—House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) on more than 350 high school juniors and seniors from across the state gathered at the Statehouse last week to participate in Student Government Day, an annual program organized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

The 2025 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award will be presented to former Vice President Mike Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on January 6, 2021”. The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award is presented annually to public servants for making a courageous decision of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences. JFK’s daughter Caroline Kennedy and her son Jack Schlossberg will present the award at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on May 4, 2025 in Boston. Continue reading MIKE PENCE WILL BE AWARDED JFK PROFILE IN COURAGE AWARD →

By Bob Katzen

The Election Laws Committee held a hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a non-legislative redistricting commission to replace the current commission made up exclusively of state legislators. The commission, like the current commission, would be responsible for creating congressional districts, 160 representative districts, 40 senatorial districts and eight councilor districts every ten years based on the national census. Continue reading NON-LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION (S 6) →

By Bob Katzen

Last year, the House and Senate approved and the governor signed a law, as part of the state budget, that prohibits cities and towns that foreclose on properties on which the owner owes back property taxes, from keeping all of the profits when the city or town sells the property at auction. Prior to passage of this law Massachusetts law allowed this practice. The new law allows the city or town to keep only the amount owed in back taxes and send the remainder to the owner.
Continue reading HOME EQUITY THEFT LAW →

By Bob Katzen

The Accessible Housing Commission, Extremely Low-Income Housing Commission and Senior Housing Commission, all created by the Affordable Homes Act recently signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey, have begun working to address the housing challenges of people with accessibility needs, extremely low-income residents and people with accessibility needs.
Continue reading AFFORDABLE HOMES COMMISSIONS →

By Bob Katzen

SENATORS ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR PER DIEMS – Legislators are no longer entitled to collect “per diems” to reimburse them for mileage, meals and lodging expenses for travel from their home to the Statehouse. These reimbursements were discontinued in 2017. They were not taxable income and ranged from $10 per day for legislators who reside in the greater Boston area to $82 for Western Massachusetts lawmakers and $100 for those in Nantucket.

Here is the total annual salary for local senators, including the three categories of base pay, stipends and general expense pay allowance.

Continue reading TOTAL SALARY FOR SENATORS →

By Bob Katzen

For many years until recently, senators who live more than 50 miles from the Statehouse were eligible for a special federal tax break. A 1981 federal law allowed them to write off a daily expense allowance when filing their federal income tax return. The complicated system determined a daily amount, ostensibly for meals, lodging and other expenses incurred in the course of their jobs, which can be deducted for every “legislative day.”
Continue reading SENATORS WHO LIVE 50 MILES FROM THE STATEHOUSE ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE TO PAY A REDUCED OR NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX ON THEIR LEGISLATIVE SALARY →

By Bob Katzen

Senators are eligible to choose one of two dental/vision insurance plans. Continue reading DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE →

By Bob Katzen

Senators also have the option to open a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), and to buy long-term disability insurance. Continue reading LONG-TERM DISABILITY AND HEALTH CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT →

By Bob Katzen

Senators who purchase a health insurance policy from the state are also required to buy the state’s basic $5,000 life insurance policy. The costs for employees are based on age and whether the employee is a smoker or non-smoker. They range from 4 cents to $2.49 per month. Continue reading LIFE INSURANCE →

By Bob Katzen

Senators are eligible to choose from 11 health insurance plans offered by the state’s Group Insurance Commission, which manages the plans for 259,929 individuals—current and retired state workers, as well as certain municipal workers, and their dependents.
Continue reading HEALTH INSURANCE →

By Bob Katzen

Legislators are entitled to a parking space inside the Statehouse garage or at the nearby McCormack State Office Building. For 2025, the first $325 in monthly value of the space is a tax-free benefit under federal and state guidelines that apply to all public and private employees, not just state legislators. Any value of the space above this amount is treated as taxable income.

Continue reading PARKING SPACES →

By Bob Katzen

All 40 senators receive an additional stipend, ranging from $30,207.04 to $119,631.81, above the $82,046 base salary, for their positions in the Democratic and Republican leadership, as committee chairs, vice chairs and the ranking Republican on some committees. The stipend is increased or decreased every two years based on data from the BEA that measures the quarterly change in salaries and wages.
Continue reading EXTRA PAY FOR ALL 40 SENATORS →

By Bob Katzen

The base salary for the state’s 40 state senators rose from $73,655 for the 2023-2024 session to $82,046 for the 2025-2026 session. That’s an 11.39 percent hike which means an additional $8,391 per senator. The estimated price tag for the hikes is $335,640. Continue reading NEW HIGHER $82,046 BASE SALARY FOR SENATORS →

Affordable Housing Waitlist

Starting Thursday April 3, families and individuals can apply for hundreds of available
and affordable units with one rental application

SOMERVILLE, MA – Starting Thursday April 3, 2025, the City of Somerville will begin accepting applications for its new ‘Consolidated Waitlist for Inclusionary Housing,’ allowing families and individuals to apply for hundreds of available rental units with one Continue reading City of Somerville Accepting Applications for New, Consolidated →

SOMERVILLE– April is Fair Housing Month, and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is inviting residents to learn about housing rights, discrimination, and how we build a more inclusive community at two free events hosted by the Fair Housing Commission and the Department of Racial and Social Justice.Both events are free, open to all, and include food and refreshments.
Continue reading Celebrate Fair Housing Month with Two Community Events in Somerville →

City introduces 8 weeks of paid family medical leave, reducing financial risks to new parents, caregivers, and workers facing critical illness
– and increasing worker retention Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne Champions Worker Equity, Support, and Retention with New Paid Family Medical Leave →

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SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville has installed the nation’s first outdoor dual sharps disposal kiosk at Seven Hills Park, further advancing its harm reduction
and public safety initiatives. Located behind the Davis Square MBTA station, the kiosk is accessible by foot, bike, and car, with nearby access from Meacham Road. Continue reading Somerville Installs Nation’s First Outdoor Dual Sharps Disposal Kiosk at Seven Hills Park →

Local Youth Can Apply for Summer Jobs at More Than 20 City Departments Now Through Wednesday, April 30

SOMERVILLE– The City of Somerville is now accepting applications for the 2025 Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program, a six-week paid career readiness initiative for Somerville youth ages 14 through the summer of high school graduation. Continue reading Applications Now Open for the Somerville Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program →

SOMERVILLE – How happy are Somerville residents? The City of Somerville wants to know!

Today, Monday, April 7, the City is launching its biennial Happiness Survey, a unique initiative that has helped shape City policies and programs since 2011. The survey measures resident satisfaction with life in Somerville, City services, neighborhood well-being, and more.

In April and May, nearly 17,000 randomly selected households will receive either a postcard or a survey packet, inviting one household member to participate online or on paper. The City encourages all selected households to participate, including new Somerville residents.

Participation is anonymous. Demographic information will only be used to make broad comparisons and ensure the survey results represent our community.

Surveys will be available in multiple languages. Residents who need translation assistance can contact 311 or the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs. Survey results will be shared later this year. Continue reading Somerville’s 2025 Happiness Survey Launching Monday, April 7 →

On Friday March 21st The Somerville Police Department faced off against the Somerville Fire Department in the annual “Guns And Hoses” charity hockey game. The Boston Bruin’s own Todd Angilly sang the National Anthem. The ceremonial puck drop was conducted by the Police Department’s Chief Shumeane Benford.
Continue reading Somerville PD vs Somerville FD Annual“Guns And Hoses” Charity Hockey Game →

Please scan the QR code to apply or go to https://bit.ly/policejoblisting
Continue reading The Somerville Dolice Department is looking for a few good men and women →

Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan to Attend This Thursday’s (04/10/25) Somerville City Council Meeting to Provide Current Update on Unsolved Murders of Deanna Cremin and Charline Rosemond
SOMERVILLE, MA – April 7, 2025 – Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan will appear before the Somerville City Council at its upcoming meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to provide an update on the ongoing investigations into the unsolved murders of Deanna Cremin and Charline Rosemond. Continue reading Friends of Deanna Cremin →