By Bob Katzen
“This moment is personal to me because before I was a state rep, I was a rideshare driver. I know what it feels like to sit behind a wheel. A fair contract means drivers can put food on the table. It means we can pay rent and mortgages. It means we can take care of our children. It means we can spend money in stores, restaurants and small businesses in our neighborhood.”
— Rep. Christopher Worrell (D-Boston) on rideshare drivers with the App Drivers Union beginning negotiations with Uber and Lyft for the first-ever union contract for rideshare drivers in the United States.
“Surpassing 2,000 approvals is a strong early result and clear evidence of what can happen when we remove unnecessary barriers and allow ADUs by right. The programs we launched this year address the next set of barriers homeowners face, including design, early project planning and financing. Together, they will build on this momentum and make it even easier for homeowners to turn their plans into completed homes.”
—Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias on the Healey Administration announcing that municipalities across Massachusetts have approved 854 accessory dwelling units (ADUs) during the first six months of 2026, bringing the statewide total to 2,084 approved ADUs since the start of 2025. ADUs, also known as in-law apartments, are small, independent homes located on the same lot as another home and may be created within an existing home, built as an addition or constructed as a separate structure.
“Teacher apprenticeships create new opportunities for aspiring educators while helping school districts meet their workforce needs. We’re proud to support local partnerships that will prepare the next generation of teachers across Massachusetts.”
—Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on the state awarding $250,000 in planning grants to help ten school district partnerships create Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs that open new pathways into the teaching profession.
“The Career Technical Initiative is one of the strongest workforce development tools we have to connect untapped talent directly to job training that leads to industry-recognized credentials and employment opportunities. These investments open doors for unemployed and underemployed adult learners, strengthen regional talent pipelines and help ensure businesses have the skilled workforce they need today and into the future.”
—Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones announcing $15.5 million in Career Technical Initiative grants to 24 organizations to train 1,636 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the skilled trades, construction and manufacturing sectors across the state.