By Bob Katzen

“Massachusetts means business. We need to support our entrepreneurs and companies, cut their costs and make it easier to do business in our state. That’s what we are doing by cutting red tape, simplifying regulations and saving thousands of businesses and business owners significant time and money so they can focus on what matters most – growing jobs and contributing to our economy.”
—Gov. Maura Healey announcing that she is eliminating a series of regulations for the purpose of saving businesses and business owners time and money. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill – LET THE 2026 RACE FOR GOVERNOR BEGIN →

By Bob Katzen

The Healey Administration is urging all students and families, particularly low-income families, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 college academic year. The federal form is required for students to be eligible for certain federal and state financial aid, including free community college and opportunities to attend the state’s public four-year universities without paying tuition and fees.
Continue reading FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS →

By Bob Katzen

Another measure before the Financial Services Committee would remove an expired inspection sticker violation from being a moving violation, which add points to your driver’s record and sometimes surcharges, and instead make it a non-moving violation, with no points or surcharge.
Continue reading EXPIRED INSPECTION STICKERS (H 1195) →

By Bob Katzen

The Financial Services Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require insurance companies to provide a written notification to customers when the company charges a fee to process an electronic payment transaction for an automobile insurance policy.
Continue reading INSURANCE COMPANIES MUST NOTIFY DRIVERS (H 1200) →

By Bob Katzen

Another proposal heard by the Labor and Workforce Development Committee would require employers to provide up to 24 hours of paid prenatal leave per year for pregnant individuals, and up to ten hours for their partners, to support attendance at medical appointments and related care. The proposal is modeled after a similar policy adopted in New York and aims to provide more flexibility for working families to access critical prenatal care. Continue reading PAID PRENATAL LEAVE (S 1361) →

By Bob Katzen

The Labor and Workforce Development Committee held a hearing on legislation that would create a voluntary 4-day work week pilot program in the Bay State. Participating employers would transition employees to a 4-day work week without any reduction in pay, status or benefits. Private employers that complete at least one year in the pilot program and meet reporting requirements, may qualify for state tax credits. Public employers can participate but are not eligible for tax credits. Continue reading 4-DAY WORK WEEK PILOT PROGRAM (S 1330) →

By Bob Katzen

Another bill before the Public Service Committee would require that the disability or death of police, fire or various other public safety personnel resulting from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is presumed to have been suffered in the line of duty. Continue reading PTSD AND POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL (S 1821) →

By Bob Katzen

The Public Service Committee held a hearing on a bill that would provide that police, fire and EMT personnel making claims for death, disability or medical services from contagious diseases – who did not evidence any such condition at the time of entry into service – will be presumed to have acquired these contagious conditions in the line of duty. If it can be shown that non-service-connected risk factors accidents, or hazards caused such incapacity, the presumption can be rebutted. Continue reading CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AND POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL (H 2961) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 39-0, approved, House approved on a voice vote without a roll call, and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a $189.6 fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that provides $95.6 million for the Department of Children and Families and Department of Transitional Assistance-related childcare, and another $94 million for income-eligible childcare. Continue reading $189.6 MILLION FOR CHILDCARE (S 2521) →