By Bob Katzen

The Healey Administration announced $1.9 million in grants that will help 229 local fire departments deliver vital life safety education to school-aged children and older adults. The grants are for two longstanding fire safety programs coordinated by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. The Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) program sends firefighter-educators into schools to deliver clear, consistent lessons to young people. The senior adult program is geared toward older adults and delivered through senior centers, councils on aging and home visits.

Continue reading $1.9 MILLION FOR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO DELIVER LIFE SAFETY EDUCATION TO CHILDREN AND OLDER ADULTS →

By Bob Katzen

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced that her office has reached a $5 million settlement with Adroit Health Group LLC, a Texas-based private health insurance agency that sold plans to thousands of Massachusetts consumers beginning in 2016.
Continue reading AG CAMPBELL SECURES $5 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE SALES AND ADMINISTRATION OF HEALTH PLANS →

Another effort to make “something” the official state “something” is also underway.

The House sent a bill, sponsored by Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Rep. Homar Gomez (D-Easthampton) to the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee. It was requested by some third-grade students at Hadley Elementary School.
Continue reading MAKE ASPARAGUS THE OFFICIAL STATE VEGETABLE (S 3073) →

A bill before the House Rules Committee would make the candy Sky Bar the official chocolate bar in Massachusetts.
Continue reading SKY BAR CANDY (HD 5583) →

The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved a new version of legislation that would name the portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike between Boston and Auburn, “The Bill Russell and Bob Cousy Highway.”

Continue reading BILL RUSSELL AND BOB COUSY HIGHWAY (H 3727) →

SOMERVILLE—Celebrate Somerville’s Haitian community and honor Haitian Flag Day by joining a Haitian Flag raising ceremony on May 18. Hosted by the City of Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA), in partnership with the Haitian Service Providers Coalition (HSPC), all are invited to attend. The event celebrates Somerville’s Haitian community and honors the history and enduring spirit of Haiti. Attendees will hear from Mayor Jake Wilson and SOIA and HSPC staff.
Continue reading Celebrate Haitian Heritage at Flag Raising Ceremony on May 18 →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would reduce the state’s income tax rate from 5 percent to 4 percent.

Amendment sponsor Rep. Marc Lombardo said that this is another attempt to make the state more affordable and more competitive. He noted that too many residents, including working families and seniors on fixed incomes, are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and businesses and residents are fleeing Massachusetts.
Continue reading LOWER INCOME TAX FROM 5 PERCENT TO 4 PERCENT (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-113, rejected an amendment that would increase unrestricted local aid to cities and towns by 133,310,951 (10 percent) from $1,333,109,519 to 1,466,420,470.
Continue reading INCREASE LOCAL AID BY 10 PERCENT (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 26-132, rejected an amendment that would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to verify the United States citizenship of each applicant for any HomeBASE benefit and to deny the benefit to any applicant who fails to provide satisfactory evidence of citizenship. HomeBASE is a state-funded program that provides up to $30,000 over a 2-year period to help homeless families in the Emergency Assistance system secure stable housing, by covering rent, deposits, utilities, furniture and some moving expenses. Continue reading MUST BE A CITIZEN TO GET HOUSING AID (H 5050) →

By Bob Katzen

House 26-130, rejected an amendment that would delete a section of the budget that provides $10 million to fund the No-Cost Calls Law that provides unlimited phone calls for inmates at county and state correctional facilities, and would redirect the $10 million to support unrestricted local aid for cities and towns.
Continue reading REDIRECT $10 MILLION FOR FREE PRISONER CALLS TO INSTEAD FUND LOCAL AID FOR CITIES AND TOWNS (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 27-131, rejected an amendment that would require voters to present a valid government-issued photo identification in order to vote, including a Massachusetts driver’s license or state identification card issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles; a United States passport; a United States military identification card; a Massachusetts-issued firearm identification card; or any other federal or state government-issued identification card that includes a photograph of the voter.
Continue reading REQUIRE VOTER ID TO VOTE (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 27-129, rejected an amendment that would authorize cities and towns to conduct a municipal tax amnesty program over a two-month period, as determined by the local legislative body, any time prior to June 30, 2029. It specifically authorizes communities to waive any or all penalties, fees, charges and accrued interest if the original overdue tax assessment is paid in full.
Continue reading TAX AMNESTY (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would exempt retirement income of seniors aged 69.5 and older from the current 5 percent tax on it.
Continue reading EXEMPT RETIREMENT INCOME FROM INCOME TAX (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would exempt up to $25,000 of a worker’s tips from the state’s income tax.

Amendment sponsor Rep. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) said the amendment would provide meaningful tax relief to service industry workers at a time when costs are rising. He noted that these workers who serve our restaurants, our hotels, our hospitality businesses and deliver groceries often rely heavily on tips to support themselves and their families.
Continue reading EXEMPT TIPS FROM INCOME TAX (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-131, rejected an amendment that would reduce the state’s current 6.25 percent sales tax to 5 percent.

Amendment supporters said that this reduction will save consumers millions of dollars. They argued this is a reasonable way to provide relief to taxpayers who are suffering during these tough economic times, including the excessive cost of gas, groceries and so many other things.
Continue reading LOWER SALES TAX FROM 6.25 PERCENT TO 5 PERCENT (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would exempt a worker’s hourly overtime wages from the state’s income tax. The exemption would not apply to salaried employees.
Continue reading EXEMPT OVERTIME WAGES FROM INCOME TAX (H 5500) →

By Bob Katzen

House 149-9, approved and sent to the Senate a $63.41 billion fiscal 2027 state budget after three days of debate. The House version now goes to the Senate which will approve its own version. A House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a compromise plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and then sent to Gov. Maura Healey.
Continue reading HOUSE APPROVES $63.41 BILLION FISCAL 2027 STATE BUDGET (H 5500) →

First Up, RE-discovering Somerville Open Studios
First Art Show at City Hall to feature Somerville Open Studios (SOS) art, artists, and vintage SOS posters starting 4/29;
Art Reception Monday, May 18th
SOMERVILLE–Somerville is bringing art into City Hall with the new Community Collections series of rotating art exhibits. The program puts the halls and walls of City Hall to use as a mini-gallery to feature community and student artwork. The series launches Wednesday, April 29, with the RE-discovering Somerville Open Studios exhibit featuring artwork by Somerville Open Studios (SOS) artists, photos of SOS artists in their studio spaces by photographer Aram Comjean, and vintage SOS posters from the past few decades. An art reception for the show and series will be held on Monday, May 18th and all are invited. Continue reading Somerville Brings Art into City Hall with New Community Collections Exhibits: →

SOMERVILLE –Hear great tunes right in your neighborhood. Community members are invited to Somerville’s PorchFest on Saturday, May 9, an annual event that transforms porches and stoops across the city into mini-stages for a day of free, live musical performances. Hundreds of bands at more than 500 locations will be performing music ranging from indie, punk, and hip hop to Latin, jazz, country, and world music. Travel across the city or stay in your area to connect with neighbors (it is the Year of the Neighbor in Somerville after all).
Continue reading Somerville’s PorchFest Returns Sat., May 9 →

Come to the FLEA MARKET on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Avenue near Davis Square. Continue reading Somerville Community Baptist Church FLEA MARKET →

SOMERVILLE and CAMBRIDGE, MA — The Cities of Cambridge and Somerville, together with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), have submitted a joint Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to protect local waterways from pollution, the first in the nation to go beyond EPA guidance and prepare for climate change.
The Draft Updated Plan is the first to be taking bold, progressive next steps to eliminate CSOs in a typical 2050 year, and the first to plan for heavier rainfalls due to climate change. Continue reading Cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and MWRA Submit Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan Communities are invited to submit feedback to plan between May-September 2026 →

Obituary
Roberta M. Brooks, age 86, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life defined by love, grace, and deep devotion to her family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Roberta spent most of her life in Cambridge, where she built a life rooted in family, friendship, and community.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Roberta M. Brooks →