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Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is fond of saying that she hails from the "get-stuff-done wing of government," but the Healey-Driscoll administration seems now to be in its own "figure-it-out" phase of governing through crises. Above, protesters posted signs outside the Melnea Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 as Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and others toured the inside of the center. The rec center is being temporarily converted to house families for emergency shelter.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. Feb 5.
7:00pm
Tues. Feb. 6
7:00pm
Wed. Feb 7
Franklin Public Schools Comprehensive Facilities Sub Committee Meeting
5:00pm
5:00pm
5:15pm
6:30pm
Friends of Franklin Library Meeting
7:00pm
7:00pm
Thurs. Feb. 8
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
Cultural District Committee Meeting
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
.State government is bracing for its first monthly revenue report since executive and legislative budget writers officially agreed that the years of plenty are over and only minimal tax revenue growth is expected. The January report will land as members of the House and Senate Ways and Means committees formally gather on Wednesday to launch hearings on Gov. Maura Healey's $58.1 billion fiscal 2025 budget proposal. Fiscal 2024 tax collections were running about $700 million behind benchmarks when the Healey administration enacted the fixes needed to go along with a $1 billion markdown of revenues needed to support the current state budget. The January report will factor into consideration of whether the remedies -- a blend of budget cuts and non-tax revenue grabs -- are sufficient to address the miscalculation, or whether additional maneuvers need to be considered. Healey and her budget chief Matt Gorzkowicz have come up with an innovative blend of revenue reaches and budget belt-tightening in their effort to grow state spending by more than $2 billion despite a sharp slowdown in tax revenue growth, and Democrats in the Legislature are likely to have their own ideas about the best budgetary path forward. As it always does, the annual budget will demand extensive attention over the final six months of formal sessions in this election year. The Democrats who run the Legislature generally agree on the list of other major bills likely to command their attention in the coming months: housing, economic development and information technology bond bills, energy and health care legislation, an early education bill, and another rewrite of state firearms laws. Those bills are still coming together, though some are at more advanced stages. For instance, the Legislature continues to wait for Healey to file her economic development bill, but both branches, including the Senate this week, have approved their own gun bills, which will likely soon be sent for resolution to a six-member conference committee. Democrats last year agreed to push for new laws closing gender and demographic wage gaps and requiring larger employers to disclose pay ranges when posting a job opening or offering certain promotions or transfers, but those measures have bogged down in conference committee, where they've been stuck for more than three months. In this tightened fiscal climate, policymakers are on the hunt for any available revenues to achieve their goals. Healey and the Senate believe they have one in the form of interest on the state's significant rainy day reserve fund. A House committee chaired by Rep. Jack Lewis of Framingham will hold the first public hearing on the idea of committing $750 million in interest revenue over three years toward either debt relief or matching funds to attract federal infrastructure aid. Healey proposed the idea in October. The Senate approved its version (S 2554) of her plan (S 2482) on Jan. 8 and the relatively quick scheduling of Tuesday's hearing could be a sign that House Democrats are on board with the plan too.
In the era of megabills and mega-amendments, a biennial bill-reporting deadline lacks some of the pull that it used to hold. Wednesday is Joint Rule 10 Day, the deadline for joint committees to make decisions on thousands of bills filed at the outset of the two-year session back in January 2023. A glance at the joint committee websites will show that many of those decisions have already been made. For the people and interest groups pushing for and against bills, the worst or best outcome, depending on one's perspective, is for committees to attach adverse (ought-not-to-pass) recommendations to bills, or to lump them in with others in study orders. A favorable report can provide some momentum for bill sponsors seeking to push their proposals through the branches, but there are always more committees where their bills could languish and die. A sponsor of a bill that gets a favorable report could bolster their case for their proposal to be attached to a large bill, since lawmakers recognize those bills as vehicles that will eventually pull into the Corner Office in the form of fully enacted legislation that's ready for a governor's signature. The deadline also in many ways is not a binding one since committees are routinely afforded more time to consider bills simply by including them in one of the many routinely implemented extension orders that keeps bills alive, if often only in spirit. Joint Rule 1C requires all joint standing committees to schedule executive sessions where bills are voted upon by agreement of the House and Senate chairs. In reality, those public voting sessions are rare as committees have adopted electronic polling to make decisions on bills and do not provide any public notice of their voting plans.
Sunday, Feb. 4
FERNANDES ANDERSON ON 4: Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson talks with Jon Keller about current economic and social issues in her district, including temporary migrant housing, closure of local pharmacies, and the affordable housing crisis. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
SPILKA ON WBTS-TV: Senate President Spilka is on "@Issue" talking about the Senate's gun law reforms bill, the migrant housing crisis, and her tuition-free community college proposal. Also on Sunday's show: discussion of the Newton teachers' strike with Ashley Raven from the teachers' union and City Councilor Bill Humphrey. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WBTS-TV Ch. 10)
DRISCOLL "ON THE RECORD" | Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is the featured guest on "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
CITYLINE LINEUP: "Cityline" host Karen Holmes Ward talks with Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune about her priorities, with Cynthia Woo of the Pao Arts Center about Lunar New Year events, and with Dr. ShanShan Sheehy of Boston University School of Medicine and Dr. Nasrien Ibrahim of Brigham and Women's Hospital about research showing there are many external factors leading to the high incidence of heart disease in Black women. (Sunday, 12 p.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
REP. CUTLER RESIGNS: Rep. Josh Cutler's resignation from the House takes effect. Cutler is the House co-chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The Duxbury Democrat is departing to join the Healey administration as undersecretary of apprenticeship, work-based learning, and policy in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. A spokesperson for Speaker Ron Mariano wouldn't say if he will call for a special election to fill the seat, or leave it vacant during the most critical months of the two-year session. The 6th Plymouth District includes the town of Duxbury, Precinct 2 in Halifax, Precincts 2 and 3 in Hanson, Precincts 2A and 4 in Marshfield, and Precincts 1, 2, 3A, 4, and 5 in Pembroke. (Sunday, 12 p.m.)
Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
SJC SITS IN BOSTON: Supreme Judicial Court sits with five cases on the docket, including a wage dispute involving a car dealership. (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | More Info and Livestream)
POST HEARING - FARWELL: Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission holds a status hearing in the case of William Farwell, a former Stoughton Police Department officer whom the panel declined to certify. Farwell and other Stoughton officers were accused of having inappropriate relations with a young woman they met through a department-run youth program, who later died by suicide. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Zoom)
WORLD CUP SCHEDULE: New England soccer leaders join city and state officials for a press event to discuss the match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Boston -- or more accurately, Foxboro -- will be one of the cities to host matches in the international men's soccer competition that's being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Organizers of the press event plan to "provide our Host City's reaction to the schedule unveiling and the expected economic and cultural impact" of World Cup matches in the Bay State. Media encouraged to register at media@BostonFWC26.com. (Monday, 10 a.m., High Street Place, Boston)
HOUSE: House holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
LAWMAKERS TOUR MOBILE HOMES: Sen. Oliveira and Rep. Saunders visit the West Street Village mobile home community to talk with residents about "significant recent lot rate rental increases and living conditions inside the park." The lawmakers plan to tour the park until 3 p.m. and answer media questions. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 350 West St., Ludlow)
GALIBOIS PRESS CONFERENCE: Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois holds a press conference for announcements regarding efforts to address human trafficking and combat the opioid crisis and illegal narcotics activity on the Cape and Islands. The district attorney will be joined by law enforcement officials and social service agencies, and will announce the recipients of grants. (Monday, 2 p.m., Harbor View Conference Room, Barnstable County Court Complex, 2195 Main St., Barnstable)
HATE CRIMES TASK FORCE: The state's Task Force on Hate Crimes meets virtually. Agenda includes a presentation from the Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team, a recently created Massachusetts State Police Unit that's designed to bolster statewide responses to hate crimes and incidents. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
HAO TALKS ECO DEV: Mass. High Technology Council hosts a MassVision2050 discussion with Economic Development Secretary Hao, who plans to give a presentation on the administration's economic development plan. Gov. Healey unveiled the plan in December, but has yet to present an economic development bond to the Legislature. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., UMass Club, One Beacon St., 32nd Floor, Boston)
MISSISSIPPI EDUCATION FORUM: Education reforms in Mississippi will be discussed during an event hosted by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Carey Wright, the former state superintendent of Mississippi and now interim state superintendent of Maryland, is the featured speaker at the Stone Social Impact Forum, which focuses on "bold civic change agents" who tackled inequality and advanced social change. "Under Dr. Wright's leadership, Mississippi initiated successful education reforms that made it a national leader for improving student achievement. Mississippi’s Quality Counts grade for education improved from an F to a C-, its ranking climbed from 50th to 35th and the graduation rate rose from 75.5% to 88.4% – higher than the national average," event organizers say. "Among students with disabilities, the graduation rate more than doubled from 23.2% to 59.9%." The forum is moderated by NBC News correspondent Rehema Ellis. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Columbia Point, Boston | More Info and Livestream)
MBTA FARE CHANGES MEETING: MBTA staff host an in-person public meeting to discuss plans to roll out a low-income fare option. T officials want to begin offering a reduced-price fare for income-eligible riders who do not qualify for an existing discount program, and Gov. Healey called for $45 million to support implementation in her fiscal 2025 budget. The MBTA's proposed fare changes would also make permanent a $10 holiday weekend pass on the commuter rail and phase out paper tickets that hold additional balance when riders overpay aboard trolleys and buses. (Monday, 6 p.m., Dewitt Center, 122 Dewitt Drive, Boston)
RED LINE PARTIAL CLOSURE: MBTA begins a 10-day partial shutdown of the Red Line for repairs, the latest in a series of disruptions planned for 2024 to conduct repairs and lift slow zones that have plagued the system. Service will be suspended between Alewife and Harvard station from the start of service Monday until the end of service on Wednesday, Feb. 14. During that span, service will also close early -- around 8:45 p.m. -- each night between Harvard and Park Street. Shuttle buses will replace subway service at affected stops. (Monday)
JANUARY REVENUES: Department of Revenue is due to report on tax collections during January, a month that generally generates just more than 10 percent of the state's annual revenue take. DOR has set the monthly benchmark at $3.858 billion, down from the $4.121 billion the Healey administration projected for the month before having to mark down the fiscal year 2024 revenue estimate by more than $1 billion and $5 million less than what was actually collected last January. Through Jan. 12, DOR had collected $1.287 billion, $208 million or 13.9 percent less than the collections during the same period in January 2023. January results showed decreases in all major tax types except sales & use tax, DOR said. (Monday)
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024
LYNN COMMUTER RAIL "RIDE-ALONG": State and MBTA officials host a "ride-along" and press conference to discuss the interim commuter rail station in Lynn, which reopened in December with a temporary platform. The MBTA closed the Lynn station in October 2022, citing "potential station deterioration issues" that raised safety concerns. Officials at the agency said they pursued a temporary platform with commuter rail operator Keolis to allow operations while work continues on permanent station improvements. Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, MBTA General Manager Eng, MBTA board member and former Lynn Mayor Thomas McGee, current Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson and others are set to attend. After a speaking program, officials plan to board Train 146 that departs Lynn at 8:36 a.m. (Tuesday, 7:15 a.m., Lynn Interim Station, 11 Ellis St., Lynn)
HEALTH COUNCIL SYMPOSIUM: The Massachusetts Health Council holds its annual pharmacy public health policy symposium virtually. Speakers will discuss artificial intelligence's impact on pharmacies, regulatory updates, drug therapy options for the treatment of obesity in patients with diabetes, therapeutic updates for ADHD treatment, and a legislative update for 2024. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. | Agenda | Pharmacist Registration | Non-Pharmacist Registration)
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP ACADEMY: Assistant district attorneys from Middlesex DA Ryan's office visit East Somerville Community School. They'll host the Digital Citizenship Academy, a program that helps students "to think critically and decipher misinformation from truth online." (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 50 Cross St., Somerville)
FEDERAL STIMULUS COMMITTEE: House Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight holds hybrid public hearing on Gov. Healey's proposal (S 2554) to use $750 million in interest earned from the state's rainy day fund to help compete for federal dollars. Massachusetts could secure more than $17 billion in aid through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act, Healey's office has said. The Senate unanimously passed its version of the bill (S 2548) last month, without holding a public hearing on it first. The bill would create a new fund to either help the state pay down debt or attract federal dollars to Massachusetts. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
FIXING DEVICES: MASSPIRG will release its newest "Failing the Fix" scorecard, which ranks the top cellphone and laptop manufacturers on repairability and their support for repair-friendly policies. The report will list the top three most repairable cellphones and laptops for each major manufacturer such as Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft. (Tuesday, 10 a.m.)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: A subcommittee of the Restorative Justice Advisory Committee meets virtually. Agenda includes an update on a budget request to establish a state restorative justice office. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
APP-BASED UNION RALLY: Uber and Lyft drivers with the Drivers Demand Justice coalition host a "day of action" at the State House to advocate for unionization. The coalition, which includes Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, the International Association of Machinists, the Chinese Progressive Association, the True Alliance Center, the Merrimack Valley Project, and the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, supports a bill (HD 1099 / SD 666) that would create a path to unionization, aims to introduce job safeguards and establishes a guaranteed minimum pay rate. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Gathering at the 4th floor cafeteria)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Boston holds a Black History Month kickoff event, featuring artwork and a keynote address from Taneshia Laird, CEO of the Greater Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center. The theme is "African Americans and the Arts," and a bevy of artists will be honored. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Third floor mezzanine, Boston | More Info)
MUNICIPAL FINANCE: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a free webinar about municipal finance basics. Sean Cronin and Zack Blake from the Division of Local Services are slated to discuss "Proposition 2½, budgeting revenues and expenditures, and the importance of financial policies, forecasting and capital planning." (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Statutory Advisory Board meets virtually. Agenda includes a report about Gov. Healey's fiscal 2025 budget proposal and program updates. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
GREEN NEW DEAL ANNIVERSARY: Sen. Markey of Massachusetts and U.S. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez of New York hold press conference to mark the fifth anniversary of their introduction of the Green New Deal Resolution in Congress. The pair plan to release a report called "Five Years in a Green New Deal World," joined by Sens. Wyden of Oregon and Padilla of California, along with Kaniela Ing of the Green New Deal Network and Naadiya Hutchinson of Just Transition Lawyering Network. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Senate Swamp, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.)
CONSUMER PROTECTION: Ahead of the Joint Rule 10 deadline, the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure meets in an executive session to take action on nearly 130 bills. The proposals deal with liquor license laws, happy hour, the lottery, relief for bars and restaurants, gym memberships, deceptive advertising of pregnancy-related services, alternative healing therapies, funeral homes, and an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapists, among other topics. Other joint committees have not publicly advertised their private meetings, where lawmakers will decide on whether to report bills favorably, send them to study or file extension orders. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda)
BONDING COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets holds a hybrid public hearing on Gov. Healey's proposal for $1.2 billion in IT capital investments over a five-year period. Her bill, dubbed the FutureTech Act, (H 4242), would support integrated constituent services and cybersecurity projects, while also funding investments in artificial intelligence technology. It's designed to keep IT projects on track once the current bond authorization is exhausted in fiscal 2025. The investments are for the executive branch, municipalities and public higher education. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
DA RYAN IN SUDBURY: Middlesex DA Ryan visits residents and the Domestic Violence Roundtable as they prepare Valentine's Day gifts for domestic violence survivors. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., First Parish Church, 327 Concord Road, Sudbury)
STATE WORKFORCE PLAN: Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development holds a virtual public comment session on the draft state workforce plan. As part of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, the U.S. Department of Labor requires all states to submit a state plan. Massachusetts’ draft plan details the Healey-Driscoll administration’s workforce agenda, provides a framework in coordination with major public workforce system partners, outlines collaboration between state and local workforce partners, and more. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Register)
SUBSTANCE MISUSE: Middlesex DA Ryan discusses the "dangers of substance misuse" with parents, students and educators at Tewksbury Memorial High School. She'll also address Social Host Liability laws, in which people could be fined or face jail time for furnishing alcohol to minors. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., 320 Pleasant St., Tewksbury)
GOP CANDIDATES FACE OFF IN SPECIAL ELECTION: A special state primary election is held for the 6th Worcester district to fill the House seat vacated by Peter Durant, who's now serving in the Senate. Durant, a Spencer Republican, won the Senate seat previously held by former Sen. Gobi, a Spencer Democrat. There are no Democrats running for Durant's House seat. The two Republican candidates are Dave Adams, a Southbridge town councilor, and John Marsi, vice chair of the Dudley Board of Selectmen. (Tuesday | More Info)
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
DA TUCKER AT NORTH SHORE CHAMBER: Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker addresses a North Shore Chamber of Commerce business insight breakfast forum. The former state representative and Salem police chief plans to cover "resources to help employers protect their byusinesses and employees." (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., Spinelli's, Route 1 South, Lynnfield | Registration)
DA RYAN ON WCAP: Middlesex DA Ryan is the guest on WCAP Radio, where she'll speak about her office's work in Greater Lowell. (Wednesday, 8:10 a.m., WCAP Radio - 980 AM)
SJC SITS IN BOSTON: Supreme Judicial Court sits with five cases on the docket, including two impounded cases. Another case deals with MassHealth denying benefit requests tied to nursing home expenses. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | More Info and Livestream)
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES: Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) holds a public policy briefing about its programs and services, and budget priorities for fiscal 2025. Community action agencies serve about 600,000 low-income Bay Staters annually through programs including homelessness prevention, early education and care, fuel assistance and tax relief. Attendees include Sen. DiDomenico, Rep. Decker and Joe Diamond, executive director of MASSCAP. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets, with a vote possible on one judicial candidate, Juvenile Court nominee Jennifer Currie. The nominee appeared before the council for her confirmation hearing on Jan. 17. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
FY25 BUDGET HEARINGS BEGIN: Lawmakers kick off their review of Gov. Healey's $58.1 billion fiscal 2025 budget bill with the first in a series of Joint Ways and Means Committee hearings about the proposal. The committee plans to hear testimony from Gov. Healey, Administration and Finance Secretary Gorzkowicz, Treasurer Goldberg, Auditor DiZoglio, Inspector General Shapiro, and Technology Services and Security Secretary Snyder. Secretary of State Galvin and Attorney General Campbell will testify at later hearings due to scheduling conflicts, according to a committee spokesperson. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
IMMIGRATION CONSULTATIONS: Free immigration consultations are offered by the Boston Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. People must schedule the 15-minute, one-time only appointment by contacting 617-635-2980 or immigrantadvancement@boston.gov. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Massachusetts Municipal Association launches a webinar series focused on emotional intelligence. The first session will focus on the components of emotional intelligence, which MMA defines as "the ability to manage your own emotions while understanding the emotions of the people around you." It's led by Cally Ritter of Positive Ripple Training and Consulting. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. | Register)
BLIND VENDORS: Massachusetts Elected Committee of Blind Vendors meets virtually. (Wednesday, 5 p.m. | Access Info)
NEWTON BRIDGE MEETING: MassDOT hosts a virtual public meeting to discuss the planned replacement of a Boylston Street bridge over the Green Line's D Branch in Newton. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., More Info)
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: The Workforce Supports Subcommittee of the permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. Agenda includes a presentation from the Human Services Research Institute and an update on Gov. Healey's budget proposal. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Livestream)
MUNICIPAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: Information session is held on the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Suffolk University's Municipal Fellow program. Participating municipal managers can get a scholarship of up to $28,000 as they work on earning their master's degree in public administration from Suffolk. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Register)
CANNABIS COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission holds its February business meeting. The agenda is likely to feature dozens of marijuana business license decisions, an update from Interim Executive Director Debbie Hilton-Creek, and more. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info TBA)
MBTA WORKFORCE COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee meets. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
HOUSE: House plans to hold an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
MBTA SAFETY COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee meets. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING: MassDOT Highway Division's Office of Outdoor Advertising holds a public meeting. (Thursday, 11 a.m., More Info)
GENDER, RACE AT WORK: As Boston celebrates Black History Month, the city hosts a panel focused on gender and race in the workplace. The panel will "explore ways to prioritize equity, embrace cultural nuances, and empower individuals from all backgrounds." (Thursday, 12 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Boston | More Info)
MASSDEP CLEAN HEAT - TECHNICAL: MassDEP officials host a technical session to present draft "early action" crediting regulations language first published in December as the agency works to develop a regulatory standard for reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to fossil fuels used in heat. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Register)
'WORDS OF WISDOM DINNER': City Awake, a young professionals initiative at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, holds a "Words of Wisdom" dinner. The event features Juan Carlos Morales, founder and managing partner of Boston-based Surfside Capital Advisors LLC. Morales is a member of Gov. Healey's Latino Empowerment Council. Tickets cost $30. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Rosa Mexicano, 155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston | Register)
MASSDEP CLEAN HEAT - COMMUNITY: MassDEP officials host a virtual community meeting to provide a summary of draft "early action" crediting regulations language first published in December, part of the agency's work to develop a regulatory standard for reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to fossil fuels used in heat. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Register)
WILLIAMSBURG RECONSTRUCTION MEETING: MassDOT hosts a virtual public meeting to discuss the proposed reconstruction of Mountain Street in Williamsburg. (Thursday, 6 p.m., More Info)
ADAMS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT hosts a public meeting to discuss the proposed replacement of a Quality Street bridge over the Hoosic River in Adams. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., More Info)
JUSTINIAN LAW SOCIETY: Justinian Law Society, which looks to uphold Italian culture and recognize the work of Italian-Americans, installs officers. Middlesex DA Ryan gives remarks. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Battery Wharf Hotel, 3 Battery Wharf, Boston)
BELMONT WOMEN'S CLUB: Members of the Belmont Women's Club hear a presentation from Middlesex DA Ryan about common financial scams and tips to protect themselves. For access to the virtual meeting, contact sarah.lamson@mass.gov. (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
SJC SITS IN BOSTON: Supreme Judicial Courts sits with two cases on the docket tied to murder convictions. (Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | More Info and Livestream)
DENTAL SERVICES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds virtual public hearing on rates for dental services, including boosting rates for "certain highly utilized adult dental services," according to the notice. The fee-for-service MassHealth expenditure would increase by nearly $10 million under the rate adjustments. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)
