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Gov. Maura Healey's trip to speak at a Vatican climate summit this week will include an audience with the pope, but the governor also plans to tend to the Bay State's business ties with Italy while she's there.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. May 13
Police Station Building Committee Meeting
4:00pm
Franklin Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting
4:30pm
Franklin Public Schools Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting
6:00pm
Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee
7:00pm
Tues. May 14
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meeting - Cancelled
10:00am
7:00pm
OSRP & NCHR Subcommittee Meeting
7:00pm
Community Preservation Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Wed. May 15
Norfolk County Regional Emergency Planning Committee Meeting
10:30am
CSFC/Transportation Subcommittee
5:15pm
Master Plan Committee - Public Hearing 3
6:30pm
Finance Committee Meeting - Budget Hearing
7:00pm
Thurs. May 9
Town Council Office Hours at the Sr. Center
8:30am
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
.Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and a small entourage from Massachusetts are heading to Italy next week. The governor plans to represent Massachusetts on the international stage at the Vatican, and in front of Italian businesses thinking of growing a footprint in the Bay State. At the State House, senators and staff are pre-sorting and evaluating hundreds of amendments to a fiscal 2025 annual budget bill, and House Democrats are ready to pass one of the most sweeping health care bills in years. Their legislation features policies tied to lessons learned from the ongoing Steward Health Care upheaval, like requiring hospitals to own the land on which they operate, and also targets reforms to better oversee facility expansions and closures that have inflicted strain on patient care. The House plans to tackle that health care bill Thursday, one day after representatives take up an IT bond bill that Healey filed in January with a $1.2 billion bottom line. The week ahead also brings the start of a trial in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston that's attracting national attention due to its potential to reshape the working conditions for the app-based driving sector. Nearly four years after then-Attorney General Maura Healey sued Uber and Lyft, and with a similar topic en route to go before voters this fall as a ballot question, prosecutors and attorneys for the ride-hailing giants will lay out their cases in court for why the companies should or should not be required to define -- and compensate -- their drivers as employees instead of independent contractors. The week ahead will bring more twists and turns in the Steward Health Care bankruptcy case and potentially in efforts to sell off its Massachusetts assets, though no one seems to have a solid handle on how it will pan out. On Friday, marriage equality supporters will gather at a Boston church to mark the 20th anniversary of the first same-sex marriages in Massachusetts.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
CHAPDELAINE ON 4: Adam Chapdelaine, executive director of the Mass. Municipal Association, talks with Jon Keller about the status of the migrant crisis, results of local Proposition 2-1/2 override and debt-exclusion votes this spring, Marblehead's rejection of an MBTA Communities Act rezoning plan, and the state revenue outlook. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
HEALEY ON 5: Gov. Healey appears on "On The Record" in a feature interview that was taped Friday. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
ISRAELI CONSULATE MEMORIAL DAY: Consulate General of Israel to New England hosts a Memorial Day ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror. Ceremony will be conducted in Hebrew with English translation. Government-issued ID and security check required for entry. No bags allowed. (Sunday, 8 p.m., Temple Israel of Boston, 477 Longwood Ave., Boston)
Monday, May 13, 2024
BROADBAND LEGIS SUMMIT: U.S. Sen. Markey, Sen. Gomez and Rep. Puppolo are expected to speak as GoNetspeed, a high-speed fiber internet provider, hosts a legislative summit to discuss ways to improve access to broadband in central and western Massachusetts. "As we have worked to provide communities throughout the Commonwealth with access to more choice and better speeds, we have seen that due to the difficult pole application process, much of the state is left behind without access to quality service options," Richard Clark, GoNetspeed's president and CEO, said. (Monday, 8 a.m., AIC, Springfield | Register)
UBER, LYFT TRIAL BEGINS: Bench trial begins in the attorney general's lawsuit against Uber and Lyft, filed nearly four years ago, alleging the companies violate state law by treating their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. Superior Court Judge Peter Krupp will preside over the trial, which carries massive implications for the future operations of the popular on-demand ride platforms, related ballot question campaigns and the application of state labor law. Proceedings are expected to continue every weekday for several weeks. (Monday, 8:45 a.m., Suffolk Superior Court, Business Litigation Session 1, Courtroom 1309, Suffolk County Courthouse, 3 Pemberton Square, Boston | Zoom Access)
LOCAL FOOD: Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle tours three farms in Worcester County to celebrate the success of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) Program. Up first is the Harvard Fisher Forest Museum hosted by Eastern Woodlands Rematriation in Petersham (9:15 a.m.), followed by Flats Mentor Farm hosted by World Farmers in Lancaster (11 a.m.) and a distribution site hosted by Growing Places in Leominster (12:15 p.m.). (Monday)
TAX JUDGE CALENDAR CALL: U.S. Tax Court Judge Jennifer Siegel answers questions about tax court at an event hosted by the Massachusetts Society of Enrolled Agents. Judge Siegel is also likely to schedule a trial open to the public shortly after the lunch break, and enrolled agents who attend the calendar call agree to join a pro bono panel. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., McCormack Federal Courthouse, 12th Floor, Five Post Office Sq., Boston | Register)
CUT IT OUT: Middlesex DA Ryan hosts a training for students at Minuteman High School on recognizing the signs of domestic violence and identifying resources for victims. The event is part of Ryan's Cut It Out program. (Monday, 9:45 a.m., Minuteman High School, 758 Marrett Road, Lexington)
HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE: Senate holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations holds its annual lobby day. Speakers include Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Rep. Arciero, Sen. Payano, Emilio Dorcely of Urban Edge, Erika Hernandez of ACT Lawrence and Jay Coburn of the Community Development Partnership. More than 250 community development members and supporters will advocate for small business assistance and housing investments offered in Gov. Healey's $4 billion housing bond bill. They're also focused on priority legislation dealing with protecting the community investment tax credit, a program that's currently slated to sunset in 2025. (Monday, 11:15 a.m., Great Hall)
CAPE BRIDGES -- AFTERNOON: MassDOT holds an "open house" public meeting to provide updates related to efforts to replace of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. Officials will provide information on the status of the replacement plans, alternatives, design options, funding and federal grants, environmental review, and next steps. (Monday, 12 p.m., Bourne Veteran's Memorial Community Center, 239 Main St., Buzzards Bay | More Info)
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Legislative and Budget Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. Sen. Robyn Kennedy and Rep. Jay Livingstone, co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, give updates on pending legislation. (Monday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
DIGITAL HEALTH CHALLENGE: Nine digital health companies looking to secure grant funding to tackle health inequities among women will pitch their solutions. Winners will be awarded $50,000 to develop and test their proposals. Selected companies will then be matched with sandbox, or "cutting-edge" research and development organizations, from the Massachusetts Digital Health Sandbox Network. Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao attends. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., Markell Conference Center, 399 Revolution Drive, Somerville)
MASS SAVE PLAN: Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council holds another public hearing on a three-year plan for Mass Save programs. The plan is meant to maximize economic benefit for residents and businesses through various energy efficiency initiatives, as well as help the state reach its energy, climate and environmental goals. (Monday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Register)
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONFERENCE: Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers hosts the first day of its annual Community Health Institute. It will feature the launch of "Movement Monday," which looks to "honor the health center movement, showcase influential decision-makers and provide networking opportunities with health care industry leaders," organizers say. Michael Curry and James Hunt Jr., president and president emeritus of the league, deliver remarks. Registration begins at 1 p.m. (Monday, 2 p.m., Marriott Boston Quincy, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy | More Info)
CAPE BRIDGES -- EVENING: MassDOT holds an "open house" public meeting to provide updates related to ongoing efforts to replace the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. Officials will provide information on the status of the replacement effort, alternatives, design options, funding and federal grants, environmental review, and next steps. MassDOT said all views and comments made at the meeting "will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible." (Monday, 5 p.m., Bourne Veteran's Memorial Community Center, 239 Main St., Buzzards Bay | More Info)
SOMERVILLE TENANT RALLY: Community Action Agency of Somerville hosts a rally in support of three households facing displacement due to significant impending rent increases. Organizers plan to call for legislative action to lift a statewide ban on rent control and implement other tenant protections. (Monday, 6 p.m., 22 Sargent Ave., Somerville)
MYSTIC AVE BRIDGE: MassDOT holds an informational session to update the public on upcoming construction activities and traffic impacts related to the Maffa Way/Mystic Ave. Bridge replacements project in Boston and Somerville. (Monday, 6 p.m., Somerville Central Library, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville | More Info)
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
ITALIAN BIZ ROUNDTABLE: Gov. Healey hosts Italian business leaders who are thinking about establishing or expanding a footprint in Massachusetts at an American Chamber of Commerce in Italy roundtable. Climate Chief Hoffer attends. (Tuesday, 8 a.m. ET, KPMG, Via Ettore Petrolini 2, Rome)
GAMBLING CONFERENCE: Massachusetts policymakers have grown increasingly reliant on gaming and gambling for revenue and the Mass. Gaming Commission and the Mass. Council on Gaming and Health are set to host their inaugural conference on gambling, gambling harms and mitigation. Titled "Using Research to Rewrite the Playbook," the conference convenes health care professionals, researchers, regulators and policymakers to "unpack the social impacts of sports betting and gambling trends" across New England. "Interest in sharing best practices around prevention and intervention has intensified amidst sweeping changes in statewide gambling across the Northeast and a rise in problem gambling helpline calls nationally," organizers said. "Maine legalized sports betting last fall, and Vermont started its legalized online sports betting in January. Massachusetts hit its first anniversary of legalized sports betting this year. And while sports fans in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have been able to legally place wagers on their favorite teams for a few years, the social repercussions of these changes remain largely unexplored and unaddressed." Breakfast and registration starts at 7:30 a.m. (Tuesday, 8:45 a.m., AC Hotel by Marriott, 125 Front St., Worcester | Register)
MUNI COUNCILORS: Massachusetts Municipal Councillors' Association meets. (Tuesday, 8:45 a.m., Forbes Municipal Building, 45 W. Main St., Westborough | More Info)
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONFERENCE: The annual Community Health Institute conference, hosted by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, continues on its first full day with sessions dealing with equity in western Massachusetts, how AI is "changing the game for Health Center Efficiency," sustainable contraceptive care, and enhancing the behavioral health workforce. Other topics are tied to fundraising, engaging youth to build health care pathways, supporting mobile health clinics, and the impacts of non-medical services for breast cancer patients. Dr. Kyu Rhee, president of the National Association of Community Health Centers, delivers opening remarks virtually. Manny Lopes, incoming CEO of Fallon Health, leads a session about managing financial crises in health centers. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Marriott Boston Quincy, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy | More Info
PARENTS ON EARLY LITERACY: EdTrust in Massachusetts and The MassINC Polling Group host an event to share and discuss results from a recent statewide poll of more than 1,000 Massachusetts parents with children in 12th grade or under. Sen. DiDomenico gives opening remarks. Poll topics include "perceptions of the current literacy crisis, its impact on their own children, and their familiarity with evidence-based methods and effective instructional practices known to be pivotal for fostering robust reading skills," organizers said. Gov. Healey's fiscal 2025 budget proposed a $30 million "Literacy Launch" program to get higher-quality literacy materials into dozens of districts. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Register)
HOLY SEE AMBASSADOR: Gov. Healey and Climate Chief Hoffer meet with U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donnelly, a former Democrat member of Congress from Indiana. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. ET, Rome)
SMALL BIZ EMPOWERMENT: Treasurer Goldberg’s Small Business Initiative and M&T Bank host the first of two free virtual sessions as part of the 2024 Small Business Empowerment Series. The first webinar focuses on fraud prevention and will feature remarks from Goldberg. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Register)
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Statutory Advisory Board meets virtually. Agenda includes a report from Commissioner John Oliveira and program updates. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
LGAC MEETING: Local Government Advisory Commission meets. Administration and Finance Secretary Gorzkowicz gives an update on revenue collections and a prospective budget outlook. Lt. Gov. Driscoll discusses the proposed Municipal Empowerment Act. A representative from the Executive of Health and Human Services shares an overview of the secretariat's work. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Forbes Municipal Building, 45 W. Main St., Westborough | More Info)
AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMISSION: The 250th Anniversary Celebration of the American Revolution Commission meets virtually. Agenda includes an update from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and a presentation about commemorations slated for April 19, 2025. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
MBTA TRACK IMPROVEMENT: MBTA holds a public meeting about its 2024 Track Improvement Program, the transit agency's sprawling initiative to remove nearly 200 speed restrictions and ensure all tracks are in a state of "good repair." Mattapan community members can ask questions and offer feedback about the program. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Mattapan Public Library, 1350 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan)
HANCOCK STREET: MassDOT holds a public meeting related to the Quincy Route 3A/Hancock Street transportation improvements study. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., North Quincy High School, 316 Hancock St., Quincy | More Info)
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
VATICAN CLIMATE ADDRESS: Gov. Healey gives a keynote address at the opening session of the Vatican Climate Summit focused on "governing in the age of climate change" and plans to make news. Her office said the speech "will highlight Massachusetts' global climate leadership, particularly in the emerging industry of climatetech, and announce a new initiative to grow the climate workforce." (Wednesday, 4:15 a.m. ET, Casina Pio IV, Vatican)
CANNABIS INDUSTRY: MASSterList hosts an event focused on the economic headwinds facing the cannabis industry, which has seen 16 cannabis retail licenses surrendered over the past year. The industry also hit a major milestone last month, with adult-use retailers generating $6 billion in gross revenues since operations begin in 2018. On April 20, a holiday for cannabis enthusiasts, the industry recorded its best sales day in Massachusetts so far, bringing in $8.5 million in sales. The event, called "Cannabis at a Crossroads," features a conversation with Sen. Adam Gomez and Rep. Dan Donahue, co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. There will also be an industry roundtable with Jeff Rawson of the Institute of Cannabis Science, Gyasi Sellers of Treevit, Payton Shubrick of 6 Bricks, Danielle Drummond of AWH, and Kay Doyle of Green Thumb Industries. The Cannabis Control Commission, which has been engulfed in leadership drama this year over Treasurer Deb Goldberg and suspended Chairwoman Shannon O'Brien, recently launched a search for a new executive director. Networking begins at 8 a.m., followed by the program at 9 a.m. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., MCLE Conference Center, 10 Winter Place, Downtown Crossing | Register)
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONFERENCE: The second full day of the Community Health Institute conference, held by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, features remarks from Michael Levine, assistant secretary for MassHealth. Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian discusses Medicaid updates for the Inmate Exclusion Policy, which has historically blocked the use of federal funds to cover medical care; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last April encouraged states to apply for a new waiver to support reentry services. Other sessions deal with cybersecurity, market analysis and compensation adjustments, HIV care, and a sober living program in Boston. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Marriott Boston Quincy, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy | More Info)
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council meets virtually. Agenda include an update from Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, as well as informational presentations about the fiscal 2023 problem gambling helpline report and the 2023 Community Health Equity Survey. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
OB/GYN ADVOCACY: Massachusetts chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists hosts its advocacy day, with introductions from Sen. Cynthia Friedman and Rep. Marjorie Decker. Legislative consultant Ronna Wallace will describe the group's priority bills: H 1137 / S 646 to require insurance to cover the full spectrum of pregnancy-related care, including abortion, miscarriage management, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care, without any kind of cost-sharing; H 4392 to update the current mandated reporting framework for substance exposed newborns; H 357 / S 148 to ban the sale of precise cellphone location data; and H 1713 / S 947 to update and clarify existing standards to establish legal parentage of children conceived through artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization with donor sperm, surrogacy, or other means. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Senate Reading Room)
WORKING MOTHERS APPRECIATION: One Fair Wage hosts a "Working Mother's Day Appreciation Breakfast," where attendees will call for action on a ballot question that would increase what businesses must pay tipped workers. The Massachusetts campaign is led by a national organization pursuing similar measures in Michigan, Ohio and Arizona. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Juliet, 263 Washington St., Somerville | Register)
SMALL BIZ DAY: National Federation of Independent Business, Retailers Association of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Restaurant Association host Small Business Day on Beacon Hill. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr gives opening remarks. Sens. Michael Moore and Peter Durant join Rep. Paul McMurtry on a panel about how state government can help small businesses compete. Media RSVP to Christopher.Carlozzi@nfib.org. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 428)
COALITION FOR HOMELESS LOBBY DAY: Coalition for Homeless Individuals hosts its annual lobby day. Providers plan a briefing about an increase in demand for shelter, transitional services and supportive housing before spreading out for meetings with legislators. Organizers say the state's "right-to-shelter" law -- which is in the spotlight amid record strain on the emergency family shelter system -- does not apply to individuals experiencing homelessness, for whom funding and logistics are different. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Nurses Hall)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - EDWARD KRIPPENDORF: Governor's Council interviews District Court nominee Edward Krippendorf Jr., a partner at Westwood law firm Eisenstadt Krippendorf Group LLP where he concentrates in criminal defense, civil matters, and administrative law. Krippendorf, 54, graduated New England School of Law in 2002 and worked as a Suffolk County prosecutor from 2002 to 2010. His private practice mainly involves District Court, Boston Municipal Court, and Superior Court cases, and he reported in his nomination questionnaire that he "regularly represent[s] indigent clients in the Brockton District Court and Plymouth County Superior Court." He was a Swampscott town meeting member in the 1980s and '90s, and now lives in Braintree where he has also served as a town meeting member and been active with the town's youth sports programs, according to his application materials. Planned supporting witnesses include Judge Tracy Lee Lyons, chief justice of the Boston Municipal Court, and retired Malden District Court Clerk Magistrate Marybeth Brady. Councilor Duff chairs. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE FORMAL: House plans a formal session to take up an IT bond bill. Gov. Healey filed the $1.2 billion bill (H 4242) in January, calling it a way to keep "large, transformative" IT projects on track once existing bond authorization runs out in fiscal 2025. Roll calls are set to begin at 2:30 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION: Boston officials and historic preservation guest speakers hold a workshop focused on historic buildings in Boston and resources provided by the city. The workshop will also cover the upcoming opportunity to seek community preservation funds for projects. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)
MASSDOT BOARD: MassDOT Board of Directors meets. Agenda calls for a presentation on a KPMG financial audit and the department's response, a Sumner Tunnel update and a presentation on a Highway Resiliency Improvement Plan. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)
AUTHOR TALK: State Library hosts a panel discussion on a recently published book, "Idea City: How to Make Boston More Livable, Equitable and Resilient," with contributors David Gamble, Matthew Kiefer, and Rosalyn Negrón. The book explores ways to improve the city by tackling mobility, affordable housing, public health, social equity and economic equality. Gamble is a lecturer in urban design and planning at MIT; Kiefer is a real estate development and land use lawyer at Boston-based Goulston & Storrs; and Negrón is an associate professor of anthropology at UMass Boston. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library | Livestream)
VATICAN CLIMATE ENERGY: Gov. Healey will co-chair the Vatican Climate Summit's energy session and deliver introductory remarks for panels on the renewable energy transition, access to clean and affordable energy, grid resilience, and clean cooking. (Wednesday, 12:20 p.m. ET, Casina Pio IV, Vatican)
RENT RALLY: Organized labor and community groups host a "Rally and March to Demand Urgent Relief for a Million Low-Wage Renters" to call on the Legislature to raise the state's minimum wage to $20/hour and lift the ban on local rent stabilization measures. After a brief march, a rally will be held at 1 p.m. across from the State House. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Embrace Monument, Boston Common, Boston)
STEM SUMMIT: The 2024 Massachusetts STEM Summit will highlight evolving computer science education and career opportunities for students of all backgrounds. "Careers in computer science stretch across many industries, from manufacturing to health care," Lt. Gov. Driscoll said in a statement. "When we lift up careers in computer science for all of our students, we strengthen the tech sector workforce pipeline and our state's economy, driving our competitiveness and building a brighter future for all. This year’s Summit will build on our progress from last year that set the foundation for addressing barriers to access and improving equity – ensuring that women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups in STEM get a shot at opportunities into these critical fields." Speakers will discuss innovative computer science work underway in the commonwealth, and panels will feature students, educators and workforce partners that are aiming to grow the state's IT talent pipeline. "As our administration delves into the realm of AI, we're excited that the STEM Summit will open doors for students in computer science, empowering them with essential skills for the future workforce," Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said. Gov. Healey's economic development bill calls for $100 million to create an Applied AI Hub. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. Bridgewater State University | Livestream Registration)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY COUNCIL: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. The body helps guide the creation of energy efficiency plans for gas and electric utilities and energy providers. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Register)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - SARAH KENNEDY: Governor's Council holds hearing on the governor's nomination of Assistant Clerk Magistrate Sarah Kennedy to serve on the District Court bench. Kennedy, 47, has worked as an assistant magistrate in the Boston Municipal Court's Dorchester Division since 2021, following nine years with the Committee for Public Counsel Services. She was supervising trial attorney in the CPCS office for Lawrence District and Superior courts. Earlier in her career, Kennedy was a Middlesex County prosecutor for five years and tried 49 cases to verdict, according to her application materials. She is a 2004 Suffolk Law graduate and has coached youth soccer in Newton. Scheduled witnesses include Boston Municipal Court Judge Lisa Ann Grant and attorneys Rachel Grijalvo and Moya Gibson. Councilor Devaney chairs. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE DEMS CAUCUS: House Democrats caucus privately before taking up their version of a $1.2 billion IT bond bill Gov. Healey filed in January. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Rooms A-1 and A-2)
REPORT FROM THE FRONT LINES: Climate Chief Hoffer addresses the Vatican Climate Summit to give a "report from the front lines." (Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. ET, Casina Pio IV, Vatican)
HOUSING LISTENING - PITTSFIELD: Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities hosts a regional listening session to solicit feedback as it develops the Healey administration's first five-year strategic statewide housing plan. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Berkshire Community College, Boland Theater, 1350 West St., Pittsfield | Register)
TRUST AND ESTATE DOCUMENTS: Mass. Society of Enrolled Agents hosts an event with estate planning lawyer Polly Tatum to discuss elder law planning and how enrolled agents can advise clients on related matters. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 450 Totten Pond Rd., Waltham | Register)
WHITE STADIUM: Impact Advisory Group for the White Stadium project meets. Members are working with the Boston Planning & Development Agency to identify impacts of the proposed project, which calls for renovating White Stadium in Franklin Park to become a home for a National Women's Soccer League team, and to recommend community benefits. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register
HINGHAM DOCK: MBTA hosts a virtual public meeting related to the Hingham Ferry dock improvements project. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., More Info)
CITY YEAR HONORS COUNCILOR MEJIA: City Year Greater Boston hosts its annual Starry Night Gala, where organizers plan to honor Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia with the Idealism in Action Award. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, 100 W Second St., Boston)
I-95 IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT holds a virtual public meeting related to the Interstate 95 northbound improvements project in Wakefield. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., More Info)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE LOBBYING: Advocates with Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) visit Senate offices to share information about a restorative justice option made available by the 2018 criminal justice reform law, and to push a $200,000 state budget earmark. The 2018 enabling legislation that codified and sanctioned restorative justice as a response and resolution for criminal cases did not have funding attached to it, according to advocates at C4RJ. The group says it is the only community-based organization offering restorative justice as a court alternative on a statewide scale, partners with 28 police departments and three district attorney's offices, and "oversees the responsible party as they work to make repair for the impacts of their crime on the victim and the community."
Thursday, May 16, 2024
GOVERNOR AND THE POPE: Gov. Healey and Boston Mayor Wu have an audience with Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church. (Thursday, 4:40 a.m. ET, Vatican)
MENTAL HEALTH COUNCIL: Statewide Mental Health Advisory Council meets virtually. Agenda includes updates from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle and a discussion about the impact of cannabis on DMH clients. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONFERENCE: The final day of the Community Health Institute conference, hosted by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, offers sessions on equity in diabetes care, a review of health center workforce data, addressing worker burnout and "improving joy," developing a digital health strategic plan, innovations in primary care, expanding access to psychiatric care, and using mobile technology to improve public health nursing. There's also a session about advanced drug checking at the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Marriott Boston Quincy, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy | More Info)
HOUSING CAMPAIGN - CHESTERFIELD: Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Housing Secretary Augustus visit a community development organization in Chesterfield to highlight the role that partnership with neighborhood organizations plays in addressing housing challenges during a stop on the administration's statewide campaign promoting the governor's housing agenda. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Hilltown Community Development Coalition, 387 Main Road, Chesterfield)
MASSPORT BOARD: Massport Board meets virtually. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | More Info)
CARBON REDUCTION CHALLENGE: Massachusetts Climate Action NetworK hosts a Zoom to explain more about the "Embodied Carbon Reduction Challenge," which looks at how embodied carbon is being addressed in 16 Massachusetts building projects. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Register)
HOMEBUYER WORKSHOP: Boston's Center for Working Families offers a Spanish-language homebuyer readiness workshop, presented by MassHousing. The workshop will discuss how a mortgage works, how a credit score affects people's ability to get a loan, hidden costs to buying a home, savings needed for a down payment, and free resources to make the homebuying process easier. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Register)
CHILDREN'S LEAGUE ADVOCACY: Children's League of Massachusetts hosts its annual advocacy day. Rachel Gwaltney, the league's executive director, discusses priority legislation for vulnerable children, young adults and families. Reps. Khan and Farley Bouvier and Sen. Robyn Kennedy are slated to receive awards. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Great Hall | Register)
CLIMATE NEXT STEPS: Gov. Healey participates in a "Highlights and the Way Forward" event to wrap up her time at the Vatican Climate Summit. Her office said the event will end with proposals from all mayors and governors on next steps. University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco also participates. (Thursday, 10:40 a.m., Synod Hall, Vatican)
HOUSE FORMAL: House meets in a formal session to take up a sweeping hospital oversight and health care reform bill. Speaker Mariano's office has pitched the legislation (H 4620) as the most significant health care cost control proposal in more than a decade. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSING LISTENING - GREENFIELD: Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities hosts a regional listening session to solicit feedback as it develops the Healey administration's five-year strategic statewide housing plan. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Greenfield Community College, Dining Commons, 1 College Dr., Greenfield | Register)
AUTISM COMMISSION: Autism Commission meets virtually. For access, contact Carol.M.Gracia@mass.gov. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | More Info)
Friday, May 17, 2024
BREAKFAST FOR HOPE: Samaritans hosts its annual Breakfast For Hope fundraising event. The keynote speaker is Kiara Hernandez, a Samaritans helpline training coordinator and suicide attempt survivor. Hernandez will speak about her own mental health struggles and how she came to help others through her work at Samaritans. (Friday, 7 a.m., Hilton Boston Park Plaza, Boston)
BIKE TO WORK FESTIVAL: Boston hosts a National Bike to Work Day Festival through 9 a.m. Participants can get free breakfast and coffee, and there will be an expo with local businesses and organizations that support the cycling community in the Boston area. (Friday, 7 a.m., Boston City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, Boston)
DATA CONFERENCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics Boston Regional Office hosts a "Data Users Conference" to "showcase our publicly available labor market and price data, provide analytical insights on the US and local economies, and demonstrate how BLS data can aid strategic decisions." William Wiatrowski, BLS deputy commissioner; Jeffrey Hill, BLS associate commissioner for prices and living conditions; Jeffrey Thompson, vice president and economist with the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; and Mark Rembert, chief economist with the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research will be the presenters. (Friday, 8 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, The Connolly Center (4th Floor), 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)
TWO DECADES OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Former Gov. Patrick headlines the speaking program as numerous groups celebrate the 20th anniversary of marriage equality in Massachusetts, commemorating the first issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples on May 17, 2004. Massachusetts was the first state to do so, following the Supreme Judicial Court's 2003 Goodridge ruling and the expiration of a 180-day pause intended to give the Legislature time to react. Two of the plaintiffs in Goodridge, David Wilson and Rob Compton, were married May 17, 2004 at Arlington Street Church and are among the scheduled speakers. Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2015. Others in the speaking lineup are Mary Bonauto of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, Tanya Neslusan of MassEquality, former MassEquality leader Marc Solomon, Joan Ilacqua of The History Project, Arlington Street Church senior minister Rev. Kim Crawford Harvie, Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President David Friedman, and former Rep. Paul Kujawski. Kujawski "has powerfully shared how he came to support the freedom to marry even after first voting against it," organizers said. Incidentally, Friday also marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision. Media interested in attending should RSVP to BRGCenterline@blackrockgrp.com. (Friday, 12 p.m., Arlington Street Church, 20 Arlington St., Boston)
HOUSING CAMPAIGN - ATTLEBORO: Housing Secretary Augustus, MBTA GM Eng and local officials hold an event to highlight transit-oriented housing, which the administration said can increase affordability, reduce commuting costs, expand accessibility, and foster sustainable development. The MBTA executed an MOU with Attleboro for a transit-oriented development project of up to 600 units. And the T recently announced that service will be partially restored to the nearby South Attleboro commuter rail station on May 20. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., Attleboro Station, 133 South Main St., Attleboro)
Saturday, May 18, 2024
"EDUCATION JUSTICE" CONVENING: Parents, educators, students and community activists gather for the 2024 "Massachusetts Education Justice Convening." There will be a panel discussion featuring Jitu Brown of Journey for Justice, Moira Kaleida of the Alliance to Reclaim our Schools, and Mo Cunningham, author of "Dark Money and the Politics of School Privatization." Participants will learn how to advance a "racial justice movement," as well as elevate priority K-12 and higher education issues. (Saturday, May 18, 8:30 a.m., Worcester Technical High School, 1 Officer Manny Familia Way, Worcester | Register)
CHRISTIE AT ENDICOTT COLLEGE: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers the commencement address at Endicott College. The former presidential candidate will also receive an honorary degree that recognizes "his leadership and life-long commitment to public service," university officials said. "With examples like leading the people of New Jersey through the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, Governor Christie is known for putting people before politics and working in a pragmatic and bipartisan way on issues that benefit the people he has served,” Endicott College President Steven R. DiSalvo said in a statement. "His personal story of overcoming adversity, his commitment to public service, and his candor about today's political environment will inspire the Endicott Class of 2024." (Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m., Hempstead Stadium, Endicott College, Beverly)
