By Bob Katzen
“We are heartbroken each year as we learn the stories of people walking who lose their lives in crashes that are often preventable. One factor continues to show up again and again: speed. Our streets are still designed in ways that allow people to drive too fast, making it harder for drivers to see and safely yield to people walking.”
— Brendan Kearney, executive director of WalkMassachusetts, commenting on a study that showed that in 2025, one in every five traffic deaths in Massachusetts involved a person walking.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and many are still feeling the effects of the Blizzard of 2026. These loans will help businesses recover from lost revenue, keep their doors open and continue serving their communities. We encourage eligible businesses to apply.”
—Gov. Healey announcing that low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million are available from the federal government for eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Plymouth, Nantucket, Norfolk and Suffolk counties to help pay for working capital and operating expenses that could not be met because of the storm’s economic impacts.
“We want Massachusetts to be the best place in the country to start, grow and scale innovative companies. This initiative will help lower barriers for entrepreneurs and researchers, strengthen our innovation ecosystem and create new pathways for students and workers to participate in this growing industry.”
— Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announcing that the state awarded nearly $2 million through the Massachusetts Robotic Digital Twin Initiative to six organizations advancing robotics innovation across the state. The funding will help accelerate commercialization pathways for robotics hardware developers by expanding access to digital twin technologies.
“Families are at risk of becoming collateral damage in a system that is growing increasingly difficult to navigate and sustain. Without meaningful action to stabilize reimbursement and restore predictability, providers will be forced to make difficult decisions about capacity, staffing and their ability to serve MassHealth members. We are running out of time to address this issue.”
—Rebecca Thompson, Chair of the Massachusetts Providers for ABA Access and Quality, on autism service providers from across Massachusetts warning that a series of recent policy decisions and ongoing reimbursement challenges are creating an unsustainable environment that could reduce access to care for some of the most vulnerable children and families who rely on Medicaid-funded autism services.