By Bob Katzen

“Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to operate and maintain and access to charging shouldn’t be the determining factor in the decision to go electric. By supporting innovative charging solutions, we’re tackling some of the most persistent barriers to EV adoption head-on. These efforts will catalyze real-world, community-driven projects that reduce pollution, drive economic growth and move Massachusetts closer to a clean transportation future.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES on Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

Would require that newly printed student ID cards for public school students in grades 6-12 and students in public colleges, include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone numbers and text message numbers. The line directs all callers to trained call takers who are available to provide free, confidential emotional support for those in crisis. Continue reading STUDENT ID CARDS AND SUICIDE LINE (H 2221/S 1384) →

By Bob Katzen

Would establish a pilot program under the Department of Public Health, to explore the use of psychedelics in mental health care. Continue reading USE OF PSYCEHDELICS IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE (S 1400) →

By Bob Katzen

This committee held a hearing on several bills including:

AVAILABILITY OF NARCAN IN SCHOOLS (S 1422) – Would require all school districts to create a Narcan overdose prevention program. Continue reading AVAILABILITY OF NARCAN IN SCHOOLS (S 1422) →

By Bob Katzen

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on legislation that would ban no cost phone calls for incarcerated violent criminals who have been found guilty of rape of a child, first degree murder, second degree murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, assault and battery on second offense, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, arson, stalking and armed robbery.
Continue reading BAN FREE PHONE CALLS FOR SOME PRISONERS (S 1689) →

By Bob Katzen

A bill heard by the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government would empower cities and towns to hold property owners financially accountable when their properties are the source of ten or more repeated public nuisance complaints within a 1-year period. The measure holds the owner responsible for the costs associated with any subsequent police responses, as well as any other costs. Continue reading REPEATED PUBLIC NUISANCE COMPLAINTS (H 2246) →

By Bob Katzen

House 144-1, Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Healey a 7.5 billion interim one-month fiscal 2026 state budget, sometimes called a one-twelfth budget, to pay the state’s bills and fund accounts while Gov. Healey takes her constitutionally allotted time of ten days to review and then to veto or amend any provisions in the full $61.01 billion budget. The interim budget will only be in effect for a maximum of ten days and is superseded by the full-year budget once that takes effect.
Continue reading $7.5 BILLION INTERIM FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET (H 4237) →

By Bob Katzen

House 139-6, Senate 38-2, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a conference committee version of a $61.01 billion fiscal 2026 state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2025. The price tag represents a 3.3 billion increase over last year’s fiscal 2025 budget. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the budget and a conference committee hammered out this compromise version. Gov. Healey has ten days, until July 10, to veto or amend any portions of the budget, before signing it. Continue reading APPROVE $61.01 BILLION FISCAL YEAR 2026 STATE BUDGET (H 4240) →