People, Power, and Politics

Keith Ellison, Minnesota's progressive attorney general and a former Democratic National Committee official, dropped in to the State House on Thursday to encourage members of his party.

FRANKLIN

New Town
Website
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MEDWAY

Mon.,
Jan 27

Agricultural
Committee Meeting

7:00pm

Tues.,
Jan. 28

Mass.
Strategic Health Group Meeting

1:00pm

Planning
& Economic Development Board Meeting

7:00pm

Weds.,
Jan 29

Parks
Commission Meeting

6:30pm

STATEHOUSE
AND BEYOND

Some Massachusetts lawmakers are dismayed that the magnitude of the major laws they passed last session has been occasionally overshadowed by the way they passed those laws, namely by waiting until just before or just after the elections to reach agreements that got rubber-stamped in lightly-attended informal sessions. The situation is breathing some life into efforts to change key dates on the legislative calendar to potentially improve the flow of bills. There's talk about changes to facilitate more formal sessions, make written testimony on bills publicly available, and disclose how lawmakers vote on bills at the committee level. But more than three weeks into the new session, Democratic legislative leaders are taking a business-as-usual approach and that means ramping up slowly. No rules changes have been offered. Thousands of bills have been filed but their docket numbers have not yet transitioned to bill numbers. Leadership appointments have not been made and committees still don't have members. The next few weeks will bring appointments and rules debates, but Massachusetts won't be adopting the practices of other states where major legislating occurs in a compressed timeframe. For now, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and the temporary House Ways and Means Committee have custody of Gov. Maura Healey's $62 billion fiscal 2026 budget, and two midyear supplemental spending bills - a $1.3 billion income surtax surplus supp and a $425 million family shelter supp. The shelter supp and policy reforms included in it are time sensitive since lawmakers didn't include nearly enough funding for the system in their annual budget and it's poised to run out of money by early February. House Democrats haven't announced plans to debate a reworked version of the governor's bill. They have a formal session penciled in for Thursday, but didn't announce any agenda on Friday. Senate Democrats have a pair of informal sessions on their calendar. The week ahead could bring some definition to the annual review of the governor's budget, which is executed through hearings attended by Ways and Means Committee members from both branches. The week ahead will also bring news on the "state of education" in Massachusetts, potential policy paths in the health care world, and discussion by a state board of the new law allowing for the unionization of transportation network drivers.

Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025

DEATON ON 4: John Deaton, the Republican U.S. Senate nominee in 2024, talks with Jon Keller about the first days of Trump's new term, Gov. Healey's State of the Commonwealth speech, and his own political future. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)

TARR ON 5: Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr is the guest on "On The Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)

LUNAR NEW YEAR: The Boston Lunar New Year Festival Gala features performances and cultural showcases, including traditional dragon and lion dances and Chinese opera. It is the city's second official celebration since the Boston City Council designated the Lunar New Year as a city holiday. The event is free and open to the public, and it runs through 4 p.m. (Sunday, 2 p.m., City Hall, Boston | More Info)

Monday, Jan. 27, 2025

ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS: Architectural Access Board meets remotely. Agenda includes an incoming case review of properties in Boston, Ashland, Chelsea, Sudbury, Danvers and Concord. There will also be administrative discussions on various buildings, including Old North Church in Boston. (Monday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

FIRE PREVENTION: General Requirements Code Committee of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations meets. Agenda includes a review of code change proposals. (Monday, 10 a.m., Department of Fire Services, One State Rd., Stow | Agenda)

ELECTRICIANS BOARD: Board of State Examiners of Electricians meets virtually. Members plan to discuss reports from the executive director, legal counsel and Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, as well as review new business licenses that have been issued. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

SENATE SESSION: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

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

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD: Commonwealth Employment Relations Board meets. Agenda includes announcement of a new chair, the board's open docket, and discussion of the new law allowing for the unionization of transportation network drivers. (Monday, 11 a.m., Department of Labor Relations, Lafayette City Center, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston | Agenda)

ASK THE MAYOR: Boston Mayor Wu joins GBH News' "Boston Public Radio" for a half-hour interview with co-hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. Mayor generally takes questions from callers. (Monday, 12 p.m., GBH 89.7 FM | Stream)

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT: Disability Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. Agenda includes election of a new chair and a discussion on fiscal 2025 goals. (Monday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

DOER TOWN HALL: Department of Energy Resources holds its 2025 town hall to "provide a brief introduction to DOER, an overview of key initiatives for 2025, timelines with opportunities for engagement throughout the year, and a brief Q&A session." (Monday, 2 p.m., Zoom)

HEALTH CONNECTOR: Massachusetts Health Connector Board Administration and Finance Subcommittee meets. (Monday, 2:30 p.m. | More Info)

DISABILITY SERVICES, SUPPORTS: Long-term Services & Supports and Health Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. Agenda includes election of a chair, establishing the subcommittee's task, and a discussion on fiscal 2025 goals. (Monday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

REHAB COUNCIL: State Rehabilitation Council Statewide Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Consumer Satisfaction Committee meets remotely. (Monday, 5 p.m. | Access)

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025

NEW BEDFORD MARINE TERMINAL: Foss Maritime Company hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its New Bedford Foss Marine Terminal, which partially opened in September. Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Energy and Environment Secretary Tepper, Mayor Mitchell and others attend. Foss bought the site in 2022 and has put $64 million into it, with $15 million in matching funds from the Mass. Clean Energy Center. The company said the terminal is projected to generate $1.57 billion in economic output by 2035. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 180 MacArthur Dr., New Bedford)

BOARD OF ED: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets. Education Secretary Tutwiler will discuss the governor's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal and recommended education spending using surtax revenue, as well as Gov. Healey's executive order creating council to implement a new K-12 statewide graduation standard. Interim Department Commissioner Johnston will talk about a new toolkit developed with the Attorney General's office to address cell phones and social media in schools, as well as guidance to schools and districts relating to immigrant students as President Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally or through Biden-era expanded protections. Other business on the agenda includes an update on the search for a new commissioner, a discussion on early literacy several months into the state's "Literacy Launch" initiative, and considering possible amendments to the so-called competency determination regulation -- which determines if students can graduate from high school, and was altered this November following passage of the MCAS ballot question. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 135 Santilli Hwy., Everett | More Info)

SHEET METAL WORKERS: Code Subcommittee of the Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers meets remotely. Agenda includes updates to the Uniform Mechanical Code. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

AUGUSTUS, GOBI IN ATHOL: Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus and Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi visit downtown Athol for a discussion about economic development and housing priorities. They're hosted by the town, Rep. Whipps of Athol and Sen. Comerford of Northampton. The town is looking to revitalize and invest in its downtown, and officials will take a walking tour that includes several vacant properties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, 80 Freedom St., Athol)

ENERGY BURDEN: Department of Public Utilities holds a virtual technical conference on its "energy burden" inquiry, which will be used to establish tiered discount rates and revenue recovery. DPU opened its inquiry in January 2024 to explore strategies to address high energy bills and consider improvements to energy affordability programs, with the aim of reducing "the energy burden that may adversely affect utility customers," officials said. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)

LOTTERY COMMISSION: Mass. Lottery Commission meets remotely, chaired by Treasurer Goldberg. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Contact the Lottery’s Legal Department at (781) 917-6057 or gpolin@masslottery.com for access)

CAMBRIDGE SUBSTATION: Eversource holds a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction for the Greater Cambridge Energy Program, which will include a 35,000-square-foot substation in Kendall Square. It's poised to be the country's largest underground substation once it's complete. Eversource says the substation will have the capacity to handle 100% of residential heating electrification in East Cambridge, and it can displace 50% of the commercial sector's gas demand. Upgrades are also planned for substations in Cambridge, Somerville and Allston/Brighton to keep up with electric demand in the region. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Residence Inn Boston Cambridge, 120 Broadway, Cambridge |

ERVING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: The Town of Erving, Rep. Whipps, Sen. Comerford and developers host Healey administration officials for a presentation on a proposed affordable housing development project. Attendees include Housing Secretary Augustus, Aging & Independence Secretary Robin Lipson, Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi and Healey's Western Massachusetts Director Kristen Elechko. The town currently has no affordable housing units, and the project would create an affordable option for seniors to age in the community, officials say. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Erving Senior & Community Center, One Care Dr., Erving)

FIREARM TECHNOLOGY: Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology, co-chaired by Rep. Lipper-Garabedian, meets virtually. Agenda includes member introductions, a discussion of the commission's work, and confirmation that the second meeting will focus on microstamping. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

GIC INFO SESSION: Group Insurance Commission holds a virtual information session about the upcoming fiscal 2026 plan year. Annual enrollment starts at the beginning of April. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

ORAL HEALTH: Special Commission on Oral Health Integration Subcommittee meets remotely. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. | Access)

BOSTON PARKING REQUIREMENTS: Boston City Council Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation holds a hearing exploring an update to the zoning code that would remove parking minimum requirements for new residential development. "Minimum parking requirements in the Boston Zoning Code mandate the inclusion of off-street parking spaces in many new residential developments, which increases the cost of housing units, curtails housing supply, and limits the feasibility of creating affordable housing units," the hearing order states. "Eliminating these requirements would allow the housing development market to function better by removing a non-market-based barrier, thereby reducing costs, fostering the creation of more housing, and incentivizing sustainable growth." (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Iannella Chamber, 5th Floor, Boston City Hall | More Info and Livestream)

MOULTON TOWN HALL: U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton holds a town hall, where he'll answer questions about the new Trump administration and discuss his priorities in Congress. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell St., Peabody)

GIC INFO SESSION: Group Insurance Commission holds its second information session of the day about the upcoming fiscal 2026 plan year. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

MASSDEMS LISTENING SESSION - PRESSLEY'S DISTRICT: Massachusetts Democratic Party holds a virtual listening session with residents of U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley's congressional district, which covers most of Boston, other parts of Suffolk County and portions of Norfolk and Middlesex counties. The party said the sessions are meant as a time "to review the outcomes of the recent elections, celebrate successes, and identify areas for growth." Participants will be offered up to two minutes to offer their thoughts, on a first-come, first-served basis. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Register)

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025

MASSBIO BREAKFAST: MassBio holds its policy leadership breakfast. Lt. Gov. Driscoll will make remarks, and BIO president and CEO John Crowley will give the keynote address. There will be a panel discussion on "What the Life Sciences Industry Means to Massachusetts." Rep. Fiola will receive MassBio's 2024 Legislator of the Year award. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Club, One Beacon St., Boston)

TAUNTON DTA: Taunton Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

ARC LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION: Arc of Massachusetts hosts newly-elected lawmakers for a briefing on the advocacy organization's work and the top issues facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 428)

FIRE PREVENTION: Administrative Code Committee of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., One State Rd., Stow | More Info)

LARGE BUILDING ENERGY REPORTING: Department of Energy Resources holds a webinar about a new policy starting March 30 that will require owners of buildings that are more than 20,000 square feet to publicly disclose their energy usage. Building owners will learn how to comply with the reporting requirement included in a 2022 clean energy and offshore wind law. Electric, gas and steam utilities must report usage data "on behalf of covered buildings," officials say. Owners or agents of covered buildings must report additional energy uses, such as from oil, propane, wood and on-site renewable energy generation. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Register)

PROFOUND AUTISM BRIEFING: Arc of Massachusetts hosts a panel discussion for legislators and staff on profound autism. This panel will be moderated by The Arc of Massachusetts CEO Maura Sullivan. Panelists include parents and providers who will "share their personal and professional perspectives on how the legislature can better support individuals with profound autism," the organization said. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)

SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a private caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)

ANIMAL ADVOCACY: Animal rights advocates highlight newly filed animal protection legislation at a breakfast. Representatives from the MSCPA, Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Humane Society of the United States, and Animal Legal Defense attend. Organizers are also collecting linens for shelter animals. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase)

NEW BEDFORD STATE OF THE CITY: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell delivers his annual State of the City address. More than 500 business leaders, elected officials, stakeholders and other individuals are expected to attend. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., New Bedford High School, 320 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford)

CLIMATE ACTION: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a members-only "Inspiring Climate Action" webinar with two deputy climate chiefs from the state's Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience. Aladdine Joroff and Jonathan Schrag will give an update on developing a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant program. The plan will explore costs and benefits of measures to reduce climate pollution. Officials will also discuss federal tax credits for clean energy investments. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES RALLY: Immigration advocates and lawmakers gather for the launch of what they call the "Protect Our Immigrant Communities" campaign, which focuses on "stressing the steps Massachusetts must take to defend immigrants from President Trump's harmful and hateful policies." Mass. Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition hosts. Lawmakers set to join include Sens. Eldridge and Miranda and Reps. Cruz and Rogers, according to organizers. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State House steps)

FARMWORKER WAGES: Fairness to Farmworkers Coalition, which includes labor and civil rights groups, hosts a hybrid press conference to call for legislative action to provide Massachusetts farmworkers with the full statewide minimum wage, overtime and paid breaks. State law sets the minimum wage for most workers at $15 per hour, but agricultural workers are owed a lower $8 per hour minimum. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., South Congregational Church, 45 Maple St., Springfield | Zoom Registration)

OFFSHORE WIND INFO SESSION: Representatives of a number of offshore wind developers -- Vineyard Wind, Vineyard Offshore, Orstead, Equinor and Avangrid among them -- will be available for "conversation and information sharing" following a meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council. Tensions between the offshore wind industry and commercial fishing interests have been present nearly every step of the way for the emerging industry. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Meeting room Marea A&B, AC Hotel, 299 Vaughn St., Portsmouth, N.H.)

STARTUP NETWORKING: City of Boston and Startup Boston hold a networking event that will bring together more than a dozen local groups focused on growing the city's startup scene. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. | More Info)

BOSTON VISION ZERO: Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization holds a virtual public forum about its Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. There will be an overview of regional traffic safety data, such as key crash locations and their contributing factors. People who live, work or travel through the region's 97 communities are invited to participate. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register

CHAMPION OF DIGNITY: Dignity Alliance Massachusetts presents Attorney General Campbell with its "Champion of Dignity and Care" award for 2024 during a meeting in her office. (Wednesday)

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025

LEGISLATIVE STAFF ACADEMY: Suffolk University hosts its biennial Legislative Academy for new House and Senate staffers to kick off the 2025-2026 term. Senate President Spilka gives welcoming remarks. Event is closed to press. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Sargent Hall, 120 Tremont St., Boston)

MHA ANNUAL MEETING: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds its annual meeting. Gov. Healey speaks at 9:45 a.m. A 10:45 a.m. session on the "payer perspective" includes Sarah Iselin of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Manny Lopes of Fallon Health, Michael Levine of MassHealth and Heather Thiltgen of WellSense Health Plan. MHA shares a "progress report" on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce at 2:30 pm. with Al Campbell of Winchester Hospital and Kevin Churchwell of Boston Children's Hospital. A session at 3:30 p.m. offers the "CEO perspective" from Abha Agrawal of Lawrence General Hospital, Peter Banko of Baystate Health, Alastair Bell of Boston Medical Center Health System, Anne Klibanski of Mass General Brigham and Allen Smith of South Shore Health. Registration starts at 8 a.m., followed by the welcome session at 9:35 a.m. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Westin Seaport, 425 Summer St., Boston | Agenda and Register)

STATE OF EDUCATION: Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy holds its annual "Condition of Education in the Commonwealth" event. Education Secretary Tutwiler is the featured speaker. Panelists include Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston, and Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. The center will also launch a new feature on its interactive data dashboard exploring education system indicators. Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m., followed by the speaking program at 9 a.m. (Thursday, 9 a.m., UMass Club, One Beacon St., 32nd Floor, Boston)

GIC INFO SESSION: Group Insurance Commission holds its third information session on the upcoming fiscal 2026 plan year. Open enrollment starts in April. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Register)

EXPORT EXPO: Massachusetts Export Center holds its annual Export Expo, a virtual event that brings together government, nonprofit and private sector service providers. Kevin Wolf, former assistant secretary of commerce for export administration under President Obama, delivers an opening speech at 10 a.m. Workshops throughout the day deal with handling high-risk export control situations, President Trump's tariff agenda, general export prohibitions, the growing role of global financial institutions in fraud prevention and compliance, and recent developments on European Union economic sanctions. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Register)

SENATE: Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

SMALL BIZ WEBINAR: Boston's Office of Small Business holds a webinar on the "power of arbitration." It's presented by Lisa Romeo, vice president of the American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | Register)

POTENTIAL HOUSE FORMAL: House Speaker Mariano has bookmarked Thursday for a "potential" formal session, but did not mention any agenda items. The branches often start deliberations around the end of January on their internal rules for the upcoming term. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

DiZOGLIO AT METRO SOUTH CHAMBER: Auditor Diana DiZoglio is the keynote speaker at a Metro South Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Event also features a "New Faces" panel with Stonehill College's new business school dean, John Duggan; new Brockton Rox General Manager Shawn Reilly; and new Massachusetts Office of Business Development Southeast Regional Director Jennifer Menard. There will also be an economic development panel in recognition of Easton’s 300th anniversary featuring Easton Select Board Chair Dottie Fulginiti and Easton Town Administrator Connor Read. (Thursday, 11:45 a.m., Martin Institute at Stonehill College, 320 Washington St., Easton | Register)

Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

MLK BREAKFAST: UMass Dartmouth hosts its 23rd annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, featuring remarks from Chancellor Mark Fuller, UMass Dartmouth students, and a keynote address from Imari Paris Jeffries, the president and CEO of Embrace Boston. Parking is available in Lots 5 and 6. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., UMass Dartmouth Marketplace, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth)

TAX ASSISTANCE: Massachusetts Association for Community Action and Community Action Pioneer Valley host the launch of the 2025 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which helps low-income families access tax refunds like the Earned Income Tax Credit. There are roughly 80 VITA sites across the state, which are run by community action agencies, other community-based groups and colleges. Attendees include U.S. Rep. McGovern, Rep. Blais, Sen. Comerford, Greenfield Mayor Virginia Desorgher and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane. Coffee and networking starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by the program at 10 a.m. (Friday, 9 a.m., Greenfield Community College - 1st floor dining area, One College Dr., Greenfield | Livestream)

EXPORT EXPO: Massachusetts Export Center's Export Expo continues for its second day. Richard Ashooh, former assistant secretary of commerce for export administration in the first Trump administration, gives an opening address at 10 a.m. Panel discussions deal with the intersection of export controls, cyber and AI in the national security landscape; government resources for exporters; navigating a changing global trade environment; and a look-back and look-ahead at President Trump on trade. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Register)

SPILKA AT INDEPENDENT LIVING BREAKFAST: MetroWest Center for Independent Living hosts its annual legislative breakfast. Senate President Spilka attends. (Friday, 11 a.m., One Clarks Hill, Framingham)

PINNACLE AWARDS: The annual Pinnacle Awards luncheon is hosted by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's Women's Network. The awards recognize female leaders' contributions to the workplace and community. Honorees include Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Grace Cotter Regan of Boston College High School, Avana Epperson-Temple of the Mass. Black Lawyers Association, Rachel Felix of Boston Medical Center Health System, Grace Lee of M&T Bank, Margaret Low of WBUR, Josiane Martinez of ASG, Eneida Román of Amplify LatinX, and Laura Wood of Boston Children's Hospital. (Friday, 11 a.m., Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, 450 Summer St., Boston | Register)

SPILKA SERVES SOUP: Senate President Spilka works as a server at the annual Holliston SOUPer Bowl hosted by Holliston Pantry Shelf. (Friday, 5 p.m., St. Mary's Parish Hall, 8 Church St., Holliston)

ORANGE LINE WEEKEND CLOSURE: MBTA suspends Orange Line service between Oak Grove and North Station for work on a project to replace deteriorated bridge superstructures for the Maffa Way Bridge and Mystic Avenue Bridge, which cross above T tracks. Service will be replaced by shuttle buses starting around 8:30 p.m. Friday and continuing until Monday morning. (Friday)

Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

GOP CANDIDATE TRAINING: MassGOP hosts the first in a series of free candidate training sessions for Republicans considering running for municipal office this year. "Municipal elections are the foundation of a successful political career, providing a pathway to higher office. Whether you're considering a run for school board, select board, city council, mayor—or even dog catcher — we want to help you succeed," the party said. Training will cover political strategy, data, finance and communications, organizers said. The November 2024 elections saw Republicans pick up one seat in the state Legislature, but the party was happy with its performance and said it is a sign that voters here have an appetite for more options at the ballot. "This election cycle has proven our momentum, and in 2025, we'll show Massachusetts that Republicans are a serious force for positive change, rooted in fiscal responsibility and common sense," the party said. (Saturday, Feb. 1, 12 p.m., VFW, 486 Bedford St., Fall River | Register)