By Bob Katzen
“We should never ask people to make sacrifices we are unwilling to make ourselves. If it comes to that, I will be the first to vote for a legislative pay cut so that lawmakers feel the same burden our communities are feeling. These cuts were not our choice, but the burden is ours as much as it is for our constituents.”
—Rep. Francisco Paulino (D-Lawrence) pledging that if Massachusetts families are forced to sacrifice because of the fiscal year 2026 federal budget, also known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” he will be the first to vote for a legislative pay cut for all 200 members of the Legislature.
“I chaired a school committee, and I know what these federal dollars mean for our kids locally – high-quality educators, adult education that helps families succeed and access to after school programs. The Trump Administration’s actions will impact every school district in our state and have far-reaching effects today and into the future.”
—Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll condemning the Trump Administration for its unprecedented withholding of billions of dollars in education funding across the country, including $108 million for Massachusetts schools.
“With tropical storms becoming more frequent and intense, I encourage everyone living in or visiting Massachusetts to use Hurricane Preparedness Week to make the plans necessary to stay safe. Last year’s hurricane season was devastating to parts of the southeast, and Hurricane Helene demonstrated how hurricanes can have severe impacts far from coastal areas.”
—Gov. Healey declaring the week of July 6 to July 12, 2025, as “Hurricane Preparedness Week,” to emphasize the importance of planning and preparing for hurricanes and tropical systems, which most often impact New England during the months of August and September.
“The real push behind this effort is definitely coming from folks who are currently incarcerated, who want to be able to participate fully in what exists of our democracy.”
—K. Melchor Quick Hall, a Women’s Studies Research Center scholar at Brandeis University who is working on a campaign to put a question on the 2028 ballot that would once again allow thousands of people serving prison time on felony convictions to vote in state elections while