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Ghost guns and ghost gun parts are displayed on a table in Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office at a press event she hosted on July 11, 2023. On July 18, 2024, the Massachusetts House and Senate sent the governor a massive overhaul of the state's gun laws. The bill that Gov. Maura Healey now has 10 days to act upon would give law enforcement tools to crack down on untraceable "ghost guns," ban firearms in additional public spaces like schools, polling places and government buildings, and expands the 2018 "red flag" law to allow school administrators and licensed health care providers to petition a court to temporarily take firearms away from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. July 22
Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting
5:30pm
7:00pm
Tuesday, July 23
7:00pm
Weds. July 24
Charles River Pollution Control District Meeting
3:00pm
6:30pm
Thurs. July 25
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Finish what you started. That's the goal for this Legislature as its leaders bounce from one major bill to the next in the days remaining before formal sessions end for 2024 on July 31, or in the early hours of Aug. 1. The Legislature this week got two major bills out of the way, at least for the moment, by sending Gov. Maura Healey a firearms law overhaul intended to reduce gun violence and a $58 billion annual budget bill that was due on July 1. The votes pull the governor's team into the organized chaos of take-it-or-leave-it compromises, rushed legislating and private dealmaking across a spectrum of bills that will become laws affecting residents and businesses for years to come. Healey can veto line items and outside sections in the budget, but with the gun bill she has only three options: sign it, veto it, or send the whole thing back with an amendment.
So what else will emerge from the suddenly fast-churning sausage-making machine that is the Great and General Court? It's really anyone's guess as special interests work with legislators behind the scenes, but there's a general understanding of some of the major bills that are expected to get to Healey soon. They include three major bond bills covering housing, economic development and information technology. There are three big policy bills in private conference committees dealing with clean energy, veterans services, and the use of state funds to pursue federal aid. The IT bond bill and a compromise bill addressing wage transparency popped out of conference committees on Friday, and are ready for votes. Lawmakers are also about to pick six legislators to hash out a significant health care bill. And the Senate may act soon on a House-approved supplemental budget.
While Healey has not given any indication that she won't go along with ideas for new laws that lawmakers are pushing toward her desk, she's now in a position to muddy the waters if she chooses by taking the full 10 days to vet bills and then returning them to the Legislature in August, when roll call votes on veto overrides are not permitted and any single legislator can block bills from advancing. Legislators can and will look to keep conducting important business from August through the early January end of this two-year session, but will need colleagues from both parties to agree on bills during those informal sessions, which will again feature action on a spending bill to close the books on fiscal 2024. Bond bills require roll call votes, so look for those to get done by July 31. A $1.2 billion information technology bond bill emerged from conference committee Friday afternoon, as did a long-negotiated wage transparency bill aimed at boosting pay equity in Massachusetts. Speaker Mariano's office told the News Service on Friday afternoon that the House would take up both conference reports at its next formal session, which is currently scheduled for Wednesday. Both House and Senate leaders told their members on Friday to be prepared for formal sessions on at least Wednesday and Thursday next week. An informal session is on the books to start the week Monday. There are still five active conference committees negotiating compromise bills, with more conferences likely to be appointed to start working in the final full week of formal sessions.
Sunday, July 21, 2024
CAMPAIGN COVERAGE: Northeastern University journalism professor Dan Kennedy talks with Jon Keller about the news media's coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
McGOVERN ON 5: Congressman McGovern is the guest on "On The Record," followed by a roundtable discussion with political analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Rob Gray. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
DEATON CAMPAIGNING: John Deaton, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, attends a series of events Sunday as part of his campaign. Deaton will visit the Roxbury Unity Parade (11 a.m., 75 Malcolm X Boulevard, Boston), then "Cornhole for Kitt" (1:30 p.m., 1 JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree), and then the Franklin Armenian Youth Federation Picnic (3 p.m., Camp Haiastan, 772 Summer St., Franklin). (Sunday)
REVERE SAND SCULPTURES: The International Sand Sculpting Festival continues in Revere though 8 p.m. There will be live music and a magician performance, in addition to sand sculpture arts, food and a beer garden. (Sunday, Revere Beach, Revere | More Info)
Monday, July 22, 2024
LIFE SCIENCES GRANTS: Senate President Spilka speaks at a Mass. Life Sciences event announcing statewide grants. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Sanofi, New York Avenue, Framingham)
POST HEARING - DEPINA-COOLEY: Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds an adjudicatory proceeding in the matter of Mila DePina-Cooley, Case No. 2023-015-S. Retired judge Kenneth Fishman will serve as hearing officer. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., More Info)
HATE CRIMES: Victim Support Subcommittee of the Hate Crimes Task Force meets virtually. The Civil Rights Division of Attorney General Campbell's office gives a presentation. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
GREEN LENDING: U.S. Sen. Markey joins Isabel Casillas Guzman, administrator of the Small Business Administration, and EPA Regional Administrator David Cash in Dorchester to discuss federal investments in community energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act and introduce an SBA initiative designed to attract private capital to help small businesses in the clean energy transition. Press conference begins at 11:15 a.m. following a solar panel work site tour. (Monday, 10:45 a.m., Location provided upon RSVP to theodora.lake@sba.gov)
SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE: House holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
KOREAN ARMISTICE COMMEMORATION: Veterans Services Secretary Santiago and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea Kim Jae-hui, host a commemoration event to mark the 71st anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. The Korean War Veterans Association also plan to attend. (Monday, 11 a.m., Memorial Hall)
MASS MARKETING PARTNERSHIP: Massachusetts Marketing Partnership Board meets. Chair Yvonne Hao, secretary of economic development, gives opening remarks. There will be updates from multiple offices, including the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Massport and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. (Monday 11 a.m., 1 Ashburton Place, Suite 2101 | Agenda and Livestream)
DECARBONIZATION GRANTS: Department of Energy Resources announces the second round of recipients for the Affordable Housing Decarbonization Program. Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Tepper, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus and DOER Commissioner Mahony give remarks. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Brian J. Honan Apartments, 43 Everett St., Allston)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: House and Senate negotiators on the economic development conference committee hold their first meeting. Reps. Michlewitz, Parisella and Muradian join Sens. Finegold, Rodrigues and Durant. Both branches' bond bills aim to solidify the state's lead in the life sciences sector, while also making Massachusetts a global hub for climate tech. The Senate opted to pursue a much smaller life sciences commitment than the House, with senators approving $225 million in bonding to reauthorize the life sciences initiative for another five years and broadening the mission of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Meanwhile, the House and Healey proposed $500 million for the life sciences sector over the next decade. The Senate also stopped short of the House and governor's plans to raise the life sciences tax incentive cap from $30 million to $50 million. In another policy difference, only the Senate's version would raise the age for juvenile jurisdiction, allowing most 18-year-olds to be tried as juveniles instead of as adults. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Senate Ways and Means Suite, Room 212)
CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY: Cannabis Social Equity Advisory Board meets virtually. (Monday, 5 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
PILGRIM DECOMMISSIONING: Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel meets. It was created as part of the decommissioning of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth. Agenda calls for an update on Holtec's decommissioning activities, and time for questions. The Department of Environmental Protection denied a permit to the company Thursday that would have allowed them to discharge 1.1 million gallons of wastewater from the plant's spent nuclear-fuel pool -- which contains some radioactive material -- into the bay. Local advocates who have opposed the plan to dump the wastewater into Cape Cod Bay celebrated the ruling as a victory. "With a strong community coalition fighting with Save Our Bay MA, including fishermen, real estate professionals, indigenous activists, environmentalists, families and every elected official at the local, state, and federal level, Holtec's plan to dump has been halted," said Diane Turco, the director of Cape Downwinders. "We applaud Governor Healey and her administration for this great first step -- upholding the law so Holtec cannot use our environment as collateral damage for its profit. However, the fight isn’t over; now we need to stop the forced evaporation of the radioactive water that has been occurring on the site." (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)
4TH FLOOR EXHIBIT: Local artist Kelaya Valliere and the MSPCA host an art exhibit in the State House to promote rescuing from local shelters and adopting pets of all sizes and ages. Valliere is a pet illustrator and animal advocate, and partnered with MSPCA Boston, Northeast Animal Shelter, AWS Kennebunk and the Animal Refuge League of the Greater Portland area for the project. All the animals featured in her for the exhibit have been adopted. (Monday through Friday, Fourth Floor)
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
DEI IN HIGHER EDUCATION: Diversity officers in higher education, working with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, New England Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, Lasell University and MassBay Community College host an education and advocacy day. Closed to press. Organizers plan to highlight the value of work on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and other sectors but do not plan to advocate for any specific bills. Legislators, legislative staff, diversity officers at public and private higher education institutions, diversity officers who are in the public sector and government, and diversity officers in the private sector are invited to participate. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., House Members' Lounge, third floor, State House)
RTA COUNCIL: RTA Council meets. Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt provides updates. MBTA Chief Railroad Officer Michael Rooks and MBTA Deputy Director of Regional Transit Planning Sandy Johnston talk about commuter rail. There will also be a discussion about battery electric buses and zero emission buses. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. | Register)
NANTUCKET - POTENTIAL VINEYARD WIND LITIGATION: The Nantucket Select Board meets in executive session to discuss "Potential Litigation by the Town Against Vineyard Wind." A massive blade on one of Vineyard Wind's 10 wind turbines detached last week, falling into the Atlantic Ocean and scattering industrial waste that has washed up on Nantucet's shores. Islanders have expressed alarm and outrage about the incident at local public meetings. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Town Building Conference Room, 16 Broad St., Nantucket | Agenda)
AI AND LEGAL SERVICES: Pioneer Public Interest Law Center hosts a briefing on how artificial intelligence is changing the legal services landscape and the ethical challenges that could arise from the technology for lawyers or clients. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Pioneer Institute, 185 Devonshire St,, Suite 1101, Boston | Register)
MURATORE FUNDER: Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is the special guest at a campaign rally and fundraiser for Mathew Muratore, the Republican representative from Plymouth running to represent part of Cape Cod and Plymouth County in the state Senate. Media RSVP to muratoreforsenate@gmail.com. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Coonamessett Inn, 311 Gifford St., Falmouth)
DEDHAM PROJECT: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing, where officials will discuss a bridge replacement project in Dedham. It involves replacing the bridge that carries the Franklin Line over East Street between Dedham Corporate Center and Endicott stations. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Access and Info)
SUNSET SOCIAL: Charles River Watershed Association hosts a sunset social at Night Shift Brewing's beer garden on the Charles River Esplanade to raise money for CRWA's mission to restore a clean, resilient Charles River. Tickets start at $35 and include one drink ticket and one food ticket. Additional tickets will be available by donation. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., NightShift Brewing, Esplanade, Boston | Tickets)
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
ENHANCING ESOL SERVICES: MassINC, the UMass Donahue Institute and English for New Bostonians host a conversation on how Massachusetts' English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) delivery system can "respond strategically to the growth in immigration, labor market change, and new modes of instruction coming out of the pandemic." The forum will also include a look at findings from new MassINC-UMass Donahue Institute research. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., 32nd Floor, Boston | Register)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - MATTHEW NESTOR: Governor's Council holds hearing on Gov. Healey's proposed elevation of District Court Judge Matthew Nestor to the Superior Court bench. Nestor won council confirmation in 2005 as a Gov. Romney appointee. Serving in Cambridge District Court in 2010, Judge Nestor sentenced Sen. Anthony Galluccio to a year in jail, a day before Galluccio's resignation from the Legislature. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
MAYORS ASSOCIATION: Massachusetts Mayors' Association holds its monthly meeting. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info)
CLIMATE TECH AT CITY HALL: A "Climate Tech on the Plaza" event is held outside Boston City Hall, where more than 30 climate tech companies will showcase their innovations. There will also be games and food. Event hosts include the City of Boston, the Northeast Clean Energy Council, the Downtown Boston BID and Schneider Electric. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 1 City Hall Square)
HOUSE FORMAL: House plans to hold a formal session with roll calls starting at 1 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a private caucus, two hours ahead of a planned formal session. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)
MONEY TRAIN: Transportation for Massachusetts hosts the second panel event in its "The Money Train: A Learning Series on Transportation Funding" series. Panelists include Kate Slevin, executive vice president at Regional Plan Association (Tri-State area); José Antonio Zayas Cabán, executive director at Our Streets Minneapolis; Laurel Paget-Seekins, a former MBTA official who is now senior policy advocate for transportation justice at Public Advocates (California); and Beth Osborne, director of Transportation for America. The series examines how other states have made progress on funding their transportation systems and what the results have been. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Register)
TEMPORARY WORKER PROTECTIONS: Mass. Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) and Boston College Law School Civil Rights Clinic host an event to roll out a "first of its kind year-long study" examining labor conditions for temporary workers. The report will also focus on recommendations of additional labor protections for temporary workers. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 28 Paris St., East Boston)
SENATE FORMAL: Senate plans to hold a formal session. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber)
WATER RESOURCES: Mass. Water Resources Authority Board meets. Agenda calls for an overview of water pipeline maintenance leak repairs, consideration of a contract change order related to a project at the Carroll Water Treatment Plant, and an executive session to discuss litigation. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., MWRA Administration Building, Conference Rooms 2C and 2D, 2 Griffin Way, Chelsea | More Info and Access)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - JOHN FRASER: Governor's Council interviews attorney John Fraser, one of Gov. Healey's latest nominees to the Superior Court bench. Fraser practices criminal defense and civil litigation at Fraser Law Office. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
GUV, TREZ MEET: Gov. Healey and Treasurer Goldberg hold their monthly meeting. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Room 227)
CLIMATE TECH BLOCK PARTY: A block party is planned to celebrate Boston's climate tech ecosystem. There will be networking opportunities for climate tech "enthusiasts and innovators," as well as live music, free food and drinks. (Wednesday, 4 p.m. Summer Street Plaza, Downtown Crossing, Boston)
DPU ROADSHOW: Department of Public Utilities hosts a "Road Show" event in Pittsfield. DPU commissioners will highlight the work of the department and "recent successes," as well as take comments from the public. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 45 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield |More Info)
Thursday, July 25, 2024
POST HEARING - VOLTUS: Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds an adjudicatory proceeding in the matter of Marcarthur Voltus, Case No. 2023-10-24-006. Retired judge Kenneth Fishman will serve as hearing officer. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., More Info)
DE LA TORRE SUBPOENA: U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions votes on whether to investigate the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care and subpoena Ralph de la Torre, chairman and CEO of the health care system. "Working with private equity forces, Dr. de la Torre became obscenely wealthy by loading up hospitals from Massachusetts to Arizona with billions in debt and sold the land underneath these hospitals to real estate executives who charge unsustainably high rent. As a result, Steward Health Care, and the more than 30 hospitals it owns in eight states, were forced to declare bankruptcy with some $9 billion in debt," said a statement from U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders earlier this week, announcing the vote. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building | More Info)
MBTA BOARD: The MBTA Board of Directors meets. Agenda not yet available. (Thursday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Virtual Access)
RETIREMENT BOARD: Mass. State Retirement Board meets, chaired by Treasurer Goldberg. For access, email MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Virtual)
SENATE FORMAL: Senate plans to hold a formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE FORMAL: House plans to hold a formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
RIDERS' ACCESS GROUP: The MBTA Riders' Transportation Access Group holds an advisory meeting. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. | Virtual Access)
SOUTHBRIDGE PROJECT : MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing, where officials will discuss a proposed project design in Southbridge. It involves replacing the bridge that carries Mill Street over the McKinstry Brook and the "superstructure" for the bridge that carries Mill Street over the Quinebag River. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | More Info)
Friday, July 26, 2024
METROWEST YMCA: Senate President Spilka attends the annual MetroWest YMCA Advocacy Day. (Friday, 9 a.m., 45 East St., Hopkinton)
HOUSE "POTENTIAL" FORMAL: House Speaker Mariano bookmarked Friday for a "potential" formal session. (Friday)
DIAPER DRIVE: State House Diaper Drive runs through Friday. Donations of diapers are accepted at the offices of Rep. Domb (Room 174), Rep. Pignatelli (Room 166), and Sen. Lovely (Room 413-D). Organizers said donations of diapers in sizes 5-6 are highly recommended. Organizers said the diaper drive is "an opportunity for us to raise awareness about diaper need across the Commonwealth and amplify the work of the organizations that distribute diapers to families, children, and babies in our districts." (Friday)
