People, Power, and Politics

House Speaker Ron Mariano (left) and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz (center) speak to reporters after meeting privately with House Democrats on June 26, 2024.  Massachusetts is on the verge of beginning the 14th straight fiscal year with an overdue state budget, and a Republican lawmaker seasoned in Beacon Hill's ways is worried the cycle of procrastination will lead to poor policymaking.

FRANKLIN

Tuesday, July 2

Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee

7:00pm

STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND

Six years ago Friday, Gov. Charlie Baker signed off on a "grand bargain" law that addressed three major topics. Heading into this July, House and Senate Democrats appear to be setting the table for a veritably gigantic bargain, with trading chips spread across an array of major bills that are either already before private conference committees or heading there. Lawmakers sometimes bristle at the idea that they would intermingle negotiations on discrete and distinct subject matters, but there's also been plenty of evidence of horse trading and "you give us this, we'll give you that" swaps when it's time to make a deal. In overtime of the last legislative session, a priority of Speaker Ron Mariano (legalizing sports betting) and a must-have for Senate President Karen Spilka (a mental health package) were both stuck in the conference committee mud until agreements were filed simultaneously, each side walking away with a win that apparently couldn't have been secured without a firm deadline. Topics on or soon to be on the board this July include the annual state budget and its many policy riders, gun law reforms, housing policy and borrowing, clean energy and climate, and probably some kind of health care bill. As the session's most significant bills move into conference committees, top Democrats in the House and Senate consolidate their power and rank-and-file members are left to wait like everyone else to find out when and what will be accomplished. After 159 representatives and 40 senators send bills into conference, three from each side are nominally involved in talks to resolve differences and produce a take-it-or-leave-it agreement, very often at the last hour and with significant oversight from the top of each chamber's hierarchy.

Top Democrats are running out of time to carve their way through the thicket of health care legislation in play. The Senate has not taken up House-approved bills addressing the long-term care sector (H 4193), maternal health (H 4566), the opioid and substance use disorder crisis (H 4758) nor Steward-inspired hospital oversight reforms (H 4643). Meanwhile, the House has not voted on a Senate-approved wheelchair repair bill (S 2546) nor a prescription drug pricing reform bill (S 2520), the latter of which senators have advanced multiple times. Calls have been growing, including from former Gov. Jane Swift, for legislators to more pointedly regulate the industry segment known as pharmacy benefit managers. The Senate took aim at PBMs in its prescription drug bill, and some House Democrats have signaled an interest in addressing the topic, though their larger plans remain unclear. Legislative leaders have some tricky decisions ahead about how to get on the same page with so many different options, and the most efficient way to proceed if an agreement stretches across more than one vehicle. Their headache could grow even more piercing if the bankrupt Steward Health Care receives no bids for one or more of its Massachusetts hospitals and communities, and workers and patients suddenly become desperate for state intervention to keep facilities open. Steward proposed a post-bid sales hearing on July 31, which lines up with the final day for major legislative business. Democrats in the House and Senate in recent years have frequently been unable to get on the same page on health care issues, but this session have talked up strong working relationships across the branches.

Next week could be one for getting ducks in a row on Beacon Hill before the last sprint to July 31. The Senate, at least, is not planning to meet in a formal session next week, but informals on Monday and Wednesday give lawmakers the opportunity to officially start their talks around the housing bills and line up legislation for later in the month. There's always a chance budget negotiators (or any of the other active conference committees) reach a compromise next week, but the interim budget that Gov. Maura Healey signed Friday afternoon took some of the pressure off budget chiefs Aaron Michlewitz and Michael Rodrigues heading into July 4. And while the focus is appropriately on the July 31 end of formal sessions, also circle July 18 on your calendars. If House and Senate Democrats want to make sure their array of major legislative proposals become law, they'll want to get any bills where they believe Gov. Healey may hand back amendments or vetoes to her by that date in order to give her ten days to act and themselves a chance to react by July 31,

The coming week also brings the last checkpoint on the road to the Nov. 5 ballot for the handful of potential ballot questions still in play. Petitioners must file at least 12,429 voter signatures with Secretary of State William Galvin's office by the end of Wednesday to punch a ticket to the statewide ballot. And this summer's extended closure of the Sumner Tunnel starts next Friday, adding yet another layer of difficulty to traveling in, around and through Boston for a month.

Sunday, June 30, 2024

GALVIN ON 4: Secretary Galvin talks with Jon Keller about the November ballot questions, voting trends in Massachusetts, and his concerns about the future of democracy. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)

CAMPBELL ON 5: Attorney General Campbell appears on "On The Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)

LOWELL ABORTION RALLY: Abortion rights advocates and lawmakers hold a rally marking the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Reps. Howard and Elliott, Lowell Mayor Daniel Rourke, Nina Lee of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Claire Teylouni of Reproductive Equity Now and Jamie Klufts of the Healthy Youth Coalition attend. Organizers say they will also read a "statement of support" from Congresswoman Trahan. (Sunday, June 30, 11 a.m., Ladd & Whitney Monument in front of Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell)

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: Boston Juneteenth Freedom Fest, running through 4 p.m., celebrates the emancipation of slaves and African American culture. (Sunday, June 30, 12 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Boston)

Monday, July 1, 2024

FISCAL YEAR 2025: Fiscal year 2025 begins. For the 14th year in a row, Massachusetts will start the new fiscal year without having a full-year budget in place. Instead, state government will be fueled early in the new fiscal year by a $6.9 billion interim budget. The House and Senate are trying to come to compromise around a roughly $58 billion budget. (Monday)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

BOSTON HARBORFEST: Boston Harborfest, the city's multi-day Independence Day celebration, kicks off Monday and runs through July 4. House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz is scheduled to speak during an opening ceremony, alongside British Deputy Consul-General Nicola Moss, City Councilor Flynn and MeetBoston CEO Martha Sheridan, among others. That's followed by Army Band performances near Macy's. (Monday, 12 p.m., Summer Street Plaza, Downtown Crossing | More Info)

CLIMATE BILL UPDATE: Dan Zackin, legislative coordinator of 350 Mass, gives a legislative update focused on climate bills to a webinar hosted by Massachusetts Climate Action Network. The Senate passed a clean energy permitting reform bill Tuesday that also pulled in various other climate and energy policies, including some relatively controversial ones related to the future of natural gas. The House is expected to take up its own climate bill sometime in the next month. (Monday, 12 p.m., Register)

BEACH FUNDING: Officials gather at Red Rock Park to celebrate federal funding for water quality monitoring and public notification programs for beachgoers. Attendees include Congressman Moulton, EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, and Mass. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. (Monday, 4 p.m., 188 Lynn Shore Drive, Lynn)

MASSDOT CAPITAL - BOSTON: MassDOT holds a hybrid public meeting to share information and collect feedback on its five-year capital investment plan, with a focus on the Boston region. (Monday, 6 p.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor Board Room, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Register)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

NORTHEAST COASTAL COALITION: Northeast Coastal Coalition meets in Essex to discuss combating erosion, removing abandoned fishing gear, dredging projects, coastal resilience and state funding. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Essex Town Hall, 30 Martin St., Essex)

COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Statutory Advisory Board meets virtually. Agenda includes welcoming new members, a commissioner report and program updates. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

LANGUAGE ACCESS PLANS: Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Public Utilities host a virtual listening session about their language access plans, intended to promote "meaningful access" to programs, services and information. Officials say the plans will remove barriers for people with Limited English Proficiency. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Register)

MASSDOT CAPITAL - MERRIMACK VALLEY: MassDOT holds a virtual public meeting to share information and collect feedback on its five-year capital investment plan, with a focus on northern Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Register)

HEAT SAFETY: Boston's Office of Labor Compliance and Worker Protections hosts a webinar about keeping employees safe from excessive heat. Attendees will learn about the signs and symptoms of heat illness, employer responsibilities, workers' rights, and how to create a heat illness prevention plan. (Tuesday, 5 p.m. | Register)

POSSIBLE HOUSE FORMAL: Speaker Mariano advised representatives to be prepared for a potential formal session. (Tuesday, Time TBD, House Chamber)

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session, the second and last session planned for the week. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

POSSIBLE HOUSE FORMAL: Speaker Mariano advised representatives to be prepared for a potential formal session. (Wednesday, Time TBD, House Chamber)

BALLOT QUESTION DEADLINE: Campaigns hoping to put proposed new laws before voters this fall face one final deadline to lock in a spot on the Nov. 5 ballot. Organizers must file at least 12,429 certified voter signatures with Secretary of State Galvin's office by the close of business. Signatures were already due to local elections officials on June 18. Five questions remain in the mix: allowing app-based drivers to unionize, eliminating the use of MCAS as a graduation requirement, decriminalizing psychedelics, authorizing the state auditor to audit the Legislature, and increasing what businesses must pay tipped workers. (Wednesday)

Thursday, July 4, 2024

BOSTON INDEPENDENCE DAY: Boston holds its Independence Day Celebration, with a ceremonial parade kicking off from City Hall and heading to Granary Burying Ground, where wreaths will be placed on the graves of patriots. The route heads to Downtown Crossing and the Old State House, as the Ancient and Honorable Artillery reads the Declaration of Independence from the balcony. (Thursday, 9 a.m., City Hall Plaza, Boston)

USS CONSTITUTION: In celebration of Independence Day, the USS Constitution goes underway from Charlestown Navy Yard, featuring a 21-gun salute at around 11:30 a.m. that can be seen from Fort Independence on Castle Island. The USS Constitution will also fire a 17-gun salute when passing by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Charlestown Navy Yard)

BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS: Boston Pops holds the annual Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade as part of July 4th festivities. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event. Guest artists include Darlene Love, the Mavericks and Kelli O'Hara. The concert is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. and run through 10:30 p.m., followed by the Mugar Family Fireworks. Ahead of the show, activities will run from 12-7:30 p.m. on Fielder Field. (Thursday, 8 p.m., DCR Hatch Shell, 47 David G. Mugar Way, Charles River Esplanade, Boston | More Info)

Friday, July 5, 2024

SUMNER CLOSURE BEGINS: A month-long closure of the Sumner Tunnel begins Friday, the second straight year with an extended shutdown for the nearly 90-year-old tunnel. Crews are partway through a roughly $160 million project to rehabilitate the tunnel, and MassDOT officials believe shuttering it for a full month will allow significantly more work to take place than just night or weekend closures. The tunnel will remain closed through Aug. 5, which is half as long as originally scheduled. (Friday)