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The Healey administration launched a new website Friday, March 7, 2025 to help connect fired federal workers with other job opportunities in Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN
New Town Website Does
Not Readily
Support
“Cut and Paste” of calendar entries. Go to
https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
Below information provided by
Steve Sherlock of Franklin Matters. Thanks, Steve!
Franklin
Housing Authority Meeting
Monday,
March 10th
Time:
4:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Housing-Authority-12/?#_03102025-1614
Planning
Board Meeting
Monday,
March 10th
Time:
7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Planning-Board-23/?#_03102025-1612
Design
Review Meeting - Cancelled
Tuesday,
March 11th
Time:
7:00 PM
Friends
of the Franklin Public Library Meeting
Tuesday,
March 11th
Time:
7:00 PM
No
agenda posted
School
Committee
Tuesday,
March 11th
Time:
7:00 PM
Historical
Commission Meeting
Wednesday,
March 12th
Time:
6:00 PM
No
agenda posted
Joint
Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Wednesday,
March 12th
Time:
7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Joint-Budget-Subcommittee-6/?#_03122025-1620
Municipal
Affordable Housing Trust Meetings
Thursday,
March 13th
Time:
2:00 PM
No
agenda posted
Cultural
District Committee Meeting
Thursday,
March 13th
Time:
7:00 PM
No
agenda posted
ZBA
Meeting
Thursday,
March 13th
Time:
7:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals-31/?#_03132025-161
MEDWAY
New Town Website Does Not Readily Support “Cut and
Paste” of calendar entries. Go to https://medwayma.gov/events/
STATE
HOUSE AND BEYOND
Health care cost concerns, rising consumer energy bills and budgeting while in the dark about federal support levels are themes that will run through the coming week. State budget-writers launched their annual budget hearings Thursday in Boston and will resume the discussion Monday in Gloucester, with plans to again hear exclusively from other government officials. Five more invitation-only budget hearings will follow before an April 8 chance for the general public to offer thoughts on the budget. Details on how members of the public can submit written testimony on the budget should become available next week, officials said. The House Ways and Means Committee is targeting the week of April 14 to release its redraft of Gov. Maura Healey's $62 billion fiscal 2026 budget and the week of April 28 to debate it. Democrats who run the budget committees in the House and Senate plan to keep individuals and non-government groups waiting until one week before the next draft's release before they will have an opportunity to weigh in on the state's needs and priorities. Affordability is becoming the early-session watchword across an array of topics. There's a growing buzz about major health care costs spiraling out of control, the governor is readying legislation and executive actions designed to address soaring home energy bills, and state government officials here and in other states seem on their heels when it comes to the significant question of affording priorities while Republicans in Washington rally around President Donald Trump's push to downsize government and its programs and services. Even Matt Gorzkowicz, Healey's budget secretary, said Thursday that "it's really difficult to try to follow what's going on" in Washington, but the administration is monitoring the situation and conducting "scenario planning" since a new state budget is due in less than four months. The secretary suggested legislation will be required to deal with federal funding changes, and while legislation is required for appropriations anyway, there will be extra eyes on any defensive maneuvers the state might try to make with supplemental budgets before the full fiscal 2026 spending plan.
The health care costs debate fires up again Thursday when state officials gather for a hearing in Gardner Auditorium at the State House. The two-year session is in its 10th week, but lawmakers are still getting organized. Critical joint rules were assigned this week to a new conference committee for resolution. Thousands of bills are still going by docket numbers, but may soon get actual bill numbers and be assigned to committees. And just-appointed committee members have yet to launch hearings on bills, apart from the budget hearings that began this week. Monday's budget hearing in Gloucester will feature testimony from the Cannabis Control Commission, an entity that will likely be targeted with reform legislation soon, according to House Speaker Ron Mariano, who says that bill may see early action.
Sunday, March 9, 2025
DiZOGLIO ON 4: Auditor DiZoglio talks with Jon Keller on "Keller At Large" about her public conflict with AG Campbell and legislative leaders over the implementation of her legislative audit authority approved by voters last fall. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
KRAFT ON 5: Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft talks with Sharman Sacchetti and Ed Harding in a pre-taped interview on "On The Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
NORTHAMPTON WOMEN'S RALLY: Northampton Indivisible holds a Women's rally on International Women's Day. Sen. Markey plans to participate. (Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Pulaski Park, 240 Main Street, Northampton)
BERKSHIRE ANTI-TRUMP RALLY: The Berkshire Democratic Bridgades hold a "No Kings" rally to protest President Donald Trump. Sen. Markey plans to speak. (Sunday, 3 p.m., Colonial Theater, 111 South Street, Pittsfield)
Monday, March 10, 2025
BUILDING TRADES CONVENTION: Mass. Building Trades Unions kicks off its 106th annual convention in Springfield. The group represents more than 75,000 unionized construction workers across Massachusetts and expects to welcome several elected officials to its two-day convention. (Monday, 9 a.m., MGM Springfield, One MGM Way, Springfield)
MCCA RETIREE TRUSTEES: The Convention Center Authority Retiree Trustees meet. Agenda includes an update on the quarterly investment performance. (Monday, 9 a.m., Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Meeting Room C | Teams Link)
WU HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT: Boston Mayor Wu hosts a press conference to make a "major housing announcement." Representatives from City Life / Vida Urbana, Related Beal, Winn Management and the Fairlawn Tenants Association join. (Monday, 10 a.m., 15 Bismarck St., Mattapan | Livestream)
COLA COMMISSION: Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission's Special Cost of Living Commission meets. Agenda includes a presentation from actuary John Boorack about the number of retirees impacted by inflation, and an analysis and cost estimates for an enhanced COLA for long-term retirees. There will also be a discussion about the Stabilization Fund Task Force. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
AGE OF CONSENT BRIEFING: Lawmakers and anti-sexual assault advocates host a virtual briefing about legislation (HD 2209 / SD 1367) that would criminalize sexual conduct between adults in positions of trust or authority in school settings and minors that they supervise. Organizers say current law prevents adults in those roles from prosecution if the minor is 16 years old or older, which is the legal age of consent in Massachusetts. Sen. Lovely, Rep. Davis, Berkshire DA Shugrue, Essex DA Tucker, and ENOUGH ABUSE Executive Director Jetta Bernier join. Advance registration required. (Monday, 10 a.m., Zoom)
MWRTA FLAGSHIP BUSES: State transportation officials and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority host a ribbon-cutting event to unveil the new "flagship" buses for the MWRTA. The so-called GILLIG buses run on compressed natural gas, which officials say is "more efficient than gasoline and diesel," and can hold about twice as many passengers as those in the existing fleet. The first new bus will run on the MWRTA's Route 4N connecting downtown Framingham and the Natick Mall. Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, Senate President Spilka, MWRTA Board Chairman Joe Nolan and MWRTA Administrator Jim Nee join. Press asked to RSVP to Amelia.S.Aubourg@dot.state.ma.us. (Monday, 11 a.m., MWRTA Blandin Hub, 15 Blandin Ave., Framingham)
HOUSE: House holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream | Agenda)
GLOUCESTER STATE BUDGET HEARING: Joint Ways and Means Committee hosts a hearing on Gov. Healey's $62 billion fiscal year 2026 budget, with testimony expected from representatives from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus and Deputy Secretary Jennifer Maddox, Executive Office of Economic Development, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Dept. of Business Development, Dept. of Housing and Community Development, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Board of Library Commissioners, Mass. Cultural Council, Commission on the Status of Women, and the Cannabis Control Commission. Rep. Ferrante and Sen. Oliveira chair the hearing. (Monday, 11 a.m., City Hall, 9 Dale Ave., Gloucester | Virtual)
PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE: Dignity Alliance Massachusetts hosts a hybrid briefing about legislation (HD 830 / SD 401 / SD 2385) that would increase the personal needs allowance for nursing home and rest home residents. The bills would increase the amount withheld from a nursing home resident's income to be used for personal needs each month, which organizers say has not been amended in a decade and a half. (Monday, 1:15 p.m., Room 428 | Virtual Access)
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET: Gov. Healey meets privately with legislative leaders. Press availability will follow. The group held the last iteration of the semi-regular meeting on Feb. 3. This time, Healey hosts the meeting with House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka. (Monday, 2 p.m., Governor's Office)
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
BUILDING TRADES CONVENTION: Mass. Building Trades Unions hosts the second day of its two-day annual convention in Springfield. The group represents more than 75,000 unionized construction workers across Massachusetts and expects to welcome several elected officials over the course of the convention. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., MGM Springfield, One MGM Way, Springfield)
TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT: Department of Public Utilities' Transportation Oversight Division holds a virtual public hearing on applications for carrier certifications. They include JM Towing & Recovery and Big Bear Movers. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)
REALTOR SUMMIT: Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus delivers remarks at the REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley's 2025 Housing Summit. Open to media, RSVP to Kevin.Connor@mass.gov. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Western New England University, Springfield)
PODIATRY BOARD: Board of Registration in Podiatry meets. Agenda includes a legislative update from the Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission meets. Agenda includes an administrative update, a request for capital improvement fund "consideration" for test barn renovations at the Plainridge Park horse track, a report on 2022 unpaid winnings at simulcast centers and race tracks, a briefing on a sports betting "noncompliance" issue, and consideration of a handful of alternate sports betting "know your customer" identity authentication methods. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
FRAMINGHAM DTA: Framingham Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
FIREARMS LICENSE REVIEW: Firearms License Review Board of the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services meets in an executive session. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | More Info)
YOUTH MENTORING DAY: Mass Mentoring Partnership hosts its 19th annual Youth Mentoring Day at the State House. The event's 2025 theme is "Building a Mentoring Movement: A Strategy for Today and a Better Tomorrow." Over 250 people are expected to attend, and speakers include MMP President and CEO Dr. Cynthia Orellana and Sen. Pavel Payano and Reps. Patricia Duffy and Carlos Gonzalez. Speakers are expected to address "the power of young people using their voices" for advocacy, and to request increasing the Mentoring Matching Grants line item in the fiscal 2026 budget, according to an advisory. Following the program, attendees will visit legislative offices. Media contact: Hannah St. Laurent at 603-545-1880. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)
LGBTQ AGING COMMISSION: Commission on LGBTQ Aging hosts its quarterly meeting virtually. The commission, chaired by Sen. Jehlen and Rep. Montaño, was created in 2013 to study "the health, housing, financial, psychosocial and long-term care needs of older LGBTQ adults and their caregivers." (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Access Info)
VACCINE COALITION BRIEFING: Massachusetts Families for Vaccines Coalition, a public health advocacy group supporting pro-vaccine policy, hosts a legislative briefing about bills that would remove the non-medical exemption from routine childhood vaccine requirements in Massachusetts schools (HD 3775, SD 1470). The coalition includes groups such as the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Members' Lounge)
WU ON GBH: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins Boston Public Radio's "Ask the Mayor" segment. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., WGBH-FM 89.7 | Livestream)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Restorative Justice Advisory Committee's Guideline Subcommittee meets. Agenda includes a review of the subcommittee's charge and scope, and a discussion about its work and timeline. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS: Board of Certification of Community Health Workers meets. Members will discuss the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program, and review continuing education applications. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
COMBATING ANTISEMITISM: Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism heads to Springfield to host its fifth meeting. The panel has a lengthy agenda, calling for discussion on experiences in school settings, achieving "viewpoint diversity" in responding to antisemitism, trends in western Massachusetts and more. DESE Acting Commissioner Johnston is scheduled to talk about genocide and Holocaust education curricula and resources provided to Massachusetts schools. Rep. Cataldo and Sen. Velis chair. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Springfield Jewish Community Center, 594 Converse St., Longmeadow | Agenda and Livestream)
EITC ANNIVERSARY: Briefing marking the 50th anniversary of the Earned Income Tax Credit is hosted by the Healthy Family Tax Credits Coalition and the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Speakers will discuss how EITC improvements and a "fairer state tax code can advance worker equity." Attendees will also learn about free tax filing resources. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 222 | More Info)
COMMUNITY SAFETY: Metropolitan Area Planning Council hosts "Community Safety Day on the Hill," focused on discussing the impact of the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant Program and the Successful Youth Initiative. The grant supports youth violence intervention, prevention and enforcement efforts. The youth initiative helps individuals ages 10-24 achieve "positive life outcomes." Speakers include violence prevention leaders, law enforcement officials, lawmakers, participants and advocates. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Room 428)
BOSTON FEDERAL GRANTS HEARING: The City of Boston's Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development holds a virtual hearing to discuss dockets regarding labor-related federal grants. Written comments can be sent to the committee or staff email; Members of the public are invited to testify via Zoom. Email meagan.corugedo@boston.gov to receive link. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Livestream, More Info)
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
NURSING BOARD: Board of Registration in Nursing meets. Agenda includes an activity report from a new voluntary program that's designed to support health care workers as they recover from substance use disorder and mental health conditions. Members will also vote on emergency regulations tied to the abortion shield law, meant to protect patients and providers from out-of-state legal action. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 250 Washington St., Conference Room 3C, Boston | Agenda and Livestream)
MASSDOT FINANCE: Finance and Audit Committee of the MassDOT Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Transportation Building, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)
MARTHA'S VINEYARD FOREST: Manuel Correllus State Forest Task Force of the Martha's Vineyard Commission meets. Agenda includes a presentation about plantation removal and restoration. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 33 NY Ave., Oak Bluffs | More Info and Zoom)
BERKSHIRE HOUSING: Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus joins the Berkshire Edge and local housing policy experts to discuss the housing crisis in Berkshire County and what the state is doing to try to bring down costs for residents. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Cable Television of Southern Berkshires, Lee | Live Broadcast)
SPRINKLER APPEALS: Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board of the Department of Fire Services meets. Members will hear a case involving a Stoneham property. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
RENTAL VOUCHERS: Sen. Edwards receives the "Big Cookie" award from the Mass. Alliance of HUD Tenants at its annual "Cookie Day" rally in support of the Mass. Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). Speaking program at the Swedenborgian church across from the State House features calls to make MRVP a permanent program and also increase its funding to $300 million in the fiscal 2026 budget. With the increase, that would provide housing for around 2,300 homeless and near-homeless families and individuals, according to MAHT. Advocates cross the street to the State House at 12 p.m. to visit offices and hand out cookies around the building. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Church On The Hill, 140 Bowdoin St., Boston)
SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARD: Senate President Spilka plans to present a "Massachusetts Leadership in Suicide Prevention" award to Call2Talk/Mass211 director Eileen Davis. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)
MMA-SUFFOLK INFO SESSION: Massachusetts Municipal Association and Suffolk University hold an online information session about several programs, including the Certificate in Local Government Leadership and Management, the Municipal Finance Management Seminar, and the Municipal Human Resources Seminar. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Register)
FALL RIVER DTA: Fall River Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m | Agenda and Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - ANDREW HOFFMAN: Governor's Council holds hearing on Juvenile Court judicial nominee Andrew Hoffman of Milton. Hoffman was a longtime employee of the Committee for Public Counsel Services' Children and Family Law Division before opening his own Boston law office. Councilor Civil presides. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
MASSDOT CAPITAL PROGRAMS: MassDOT Board's Capital Programs Committee meets. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Transportation Building, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)
EARLY COLLEGE: More than 300 advocates are slated to participate in "Early College Day" on Beacon Hill, including students, educators, district superintendents, college presidents, and community and business leaders. Programming from the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College coalition starts with a legislative briefing about the impact of early college programs, followed by meetings with lawmakers. Speakers include Sen. Crighton, Reps. Roy and Lipper-Garabedian, Chelsea Public Schools Superintendent Almi Abeyta, Northeastern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn, and UMass Dartmouth's executive director of economic development and community partnerships Michael Goodman. Advocates are looking for funding to boost Early College's reach for thousands of additional students in 2025-26. Briefing is open to media but not the general public. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Room 428)
HEALEY ON GBH: Gov. Healey joins Boston Public Radio's "Ask the Governor" segment. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., WGBH-FM 89.7 | Livestream)
DISABILITIES COMMISSION: Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets to get a presentation on civil rights in health care from commissioner and Assistant Attorney General Ann Lynch, and information on developments at the federal level concerning people with disabilities from commissioner Craig Hall, who is executive director of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Hearing Room A-1 | More Info and Virtual Access)
COALITION BRIEFING ON LANGUAGE BILL: Mass Speaks Coalition holds legislative briefing on a bill dealing with "language access and inclusion." The bill requires some public-facing agencies and service providers to offer interpreter services and to translate vital documents, including websites and online applications, according to the coalition, which includes the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 222)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - JEANNIE RHINEHART: Governor's Council interviews Juvenile Court judicial candidate Jeannie Rhinehart of Whitman. She is attorney-in-charge at the Brockton office of Committee for Public Counsel Services' Children and Family Law Division. Councilor Civil presides. (Wednesday, 11:15 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
SELECT BOARD ASSOCIATION: Massachusetts Select Board Association holds a free webinar about empowering town boards and committees. Panelists include Lincoln Select Board member Jennifer Glass, Office of the Inspector General Academy instructor Susan Scheiner, and attorney Karis North of Murphy Hesse Toomey & Lehane. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - ASSEMBLY: Governor's Council meets, and could vote to confirm Probate and Family Court nominees Laurel Barraco, Bethany Brown, and Brian Salisbury. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
PCA FUNDING RALLY: Personal care attendants and advocates for seniors and people with disabilities rally outside the State House calling on lawmakers to fully fund the PCA program in the annual state budget. Gov. Healey's budget bill proposed tying PCA spending to annual health care spending benchmarks amid a period of rapid growth in costs for the program. Rally organizers, including 1199 SEIU, say Healey's proposal "would result in seniors and people with disabilities being forced to go without critical care." (Wednesday, 1 p.m., State House Ashburton Park entrance)
SEASONAL COMMUNITIES: Seasonal Communities Advisory Council holds its second meeting and first on-the-ground meeting in Berkshire County. EOHLC estimates that 18.5% of housing units in the county are seasonal or second homes, short term rentals, or vacant for other reasons. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road, Stockbridge | Virtual Access TBA)
OPERATIONAL SERVICES: Operational Services Division holds a bidders' conference for a statewide contract dealing with floor coverings, including accessories, installation, maintenance and repairs. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Register)
MBTA GM ON GBH: MBTA General Manager Phil Eng joins Boston Public Radio's "Ask the MBTA GM" segment. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., WGBH-FM 89.7 | Livestream)
LIFE SCIENCES: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center board meets virtually. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | More Info)
WOMEN'S ART FAREWELL: Senate President Spilka hosts senators, staff and others for a "farewell reception" to HERstory Volume II, a photo exhibition in her office suite celebrating women of color. The event is closed to press. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Senate President's office)
REAL ESTATE WOMEN OF THE YEAR: Boston Real Estate Times hosts its annual gala celebrating the magazine's 2025 list of "Outstanding Women in Commercial Real Estate." (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Burlington Marriott Hotel, Burlington | Register)
ALLSTON/MASS. PIKE MULTIMODAL PROJECT: MassDOT holds hybrid meeting of the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project Task Force. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Boston University, 43 Hawes St., Ladd Room, Brookline)
BOSTON - RICHMOND STREET BRIDGE: MassDOT holds public information meeting on the Richmond Street Bridge Preservation Project, covering construction schedule and traffic impacts. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet St., Boston)
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council meets. Agenda includes committee reports, a grant update and presentation, an introduction to a "Trails for All Initiative," and an update from the self-advocacy and training team. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
Thursday, March 13, 2025
PATIENT SAFETY: Quality and Patient Safety Committee of the Board of Registration in Medicine meets. Members will start with a brief open session, before entering into executive session to "discuss peer-review protected information." (Thursday, 7 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
DCR STEWARDSHIP: Department of Conservation and Recreation's Stewardship Council meets. Agenda includes a report from DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo and a presentation about the Massachusetts Environmental Trust from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The trust finances and coordinates projects that are focused on protecting and improving aquatic resources and ecosystems. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS BOARD: Board of Registration of Physician Assistants meets. Members will vote on emergency regulations tied to implementing the state's abortion shield law. There will also be an update on the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS: Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers meets. Agenda includes discussion and votes on training logs and "federally related transaction," as well as draft announcement about continuing education for reinstatement. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
CANNABIS COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission plans to meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
YOUTHBUILD FUNDING: Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition holds its 30th annual State House lobby day featuring students from 11 different YouthBuild programs. YouthBuild's programming combines education, like working toward a GED, with community service and vocational experience. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE: House plans to hold an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
MASSDOT OUTDOOR ADVERTISING: MassDOT Office of Outdoor Advertising meets. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Virtual | Registration)
HEALTH CARE COST GROWTH: Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and the Health Policy Commission hold the annual public hearing on the potential modification of the health care cost growth benchmark for 2026, a statewide target for the rate of growth of total health care expenditures. The benchmark is meant to be a statewide target for the sustainable rate of growth of total health care expenditures, and the HPC was created under a 2012 law to oversee health care system performance and monitor statewide spending performance against the benchmark. Health care cost escalation is emerging as a major concern in the public and private sector, and critics of the benchmark say it lacks teeth. Hearing organizers plan to accept data and testimony regarding whether modification of the benchmark, which is currently set at 3.6%, is appropriate. The HPC Board plans to vote to set the health care cost growth benchmark for 2026 at an April 17 meeting. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)
NATURAL GAS CONTRACT: Operational Services Division holds a bidders' conference for a statewide natural gas contract. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | Register)
FISHING INDUSTRY: Fishing Partnership Support Services, a nonprofit focused on health and safety of commercial fishing workers, holds a roundtable discussion on supports for fishing industry workers and coastal communities. Hosted by Sen. Tarr and Rep. LaNatra. Light refreshments. RSVP to acosta@preti.com. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Senate Reading Room)
CULTURAL ASSETS: Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbit presents findings from the 2024 Cultural Asset Inventory alongside Reps. Domb and Garballey. The inventory, which is scheduled to be published online March 11, logs thousands of cultural organizations, programs and individuals contributing to the state's cultural landscape. Organizers say the tool "provides a wealth of information that will be instrumental in informing future cultural policies, programs, and initiatives." (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Room 437)
VACCINE PURCHASING: Massachusetts Vaccine Purchasing Advisory Council meets. The council works to coordinate the "universal distribution" of childhood vaccines that are recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. For remote access, contact cmcreynolds@mcaap.org. (Thursday, 4 p.m., Massachusetts Medical Society, 860 Winter St., Waltham)
BOSTON HOUSING OFFICE: Boston Mayor's Office of Housing holds two hearings on "needs and priorities" for an expected $27.5 million in federal Housing and Urban Development funds that can be used for housing, homeless assistance, and community development programs for low- to moderate-income residents between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Interpretation will be offered in Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. (Thursday, 6 p.m., | Meeting ID: 891 4115 8246 Or dial: 1-309-205-3325)
Friday, March 14, 2025
METROWEST SPRING INSPIRATION: MetroWest YMCA hosts its spring 2025 "Inspiration Breakfast." Senate President Spilka speaks. (Friday, 7:30 a.m., 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham)
WESTERN MASS. LABOR BREAKFAST: Western Mass. Area Labor Federation hosts its legislative breakfast, bringing together lawmakers, workers and organized labor leaders to discuss labor priorities for the new term. (Friday, 8 a.m., MGM Springfield, 1 MGM Way, Springfield | More Info)
AMESBURY MMA BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a legislative breakfast. MMA staff will discuss legislative proposals that "will have significant implications for cities and towns," the fiscal 2026 state budget, Gov. Healey's Municipal Empowerment Act, remote meeting allowances, and Chapter 90 funding, among other topics. Closed to the public and press. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Amesbury City Hall, 62 Friend St., Amesbury | Register)
FALL RIVER MMA BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a legislative breakfast in Fall River, bringing together MMA staff, local leaders and lawmakers. Closed to the public and press. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Fall River Government Center, 1 Government Center, Fall River | Register)
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Aging service organizations from New Bedford, Cape Cod, Plymouth and Fall River join with AARP Massachusetts, Mass Aging Access, Southcoast Health, the Marion Institute's South Coast Food Policy Council, One SouthCoast Chamber, and others to host a regional legislative breakfast "to support solutions to aging independently and address funding uncertainties and service gaps for the region's older populations." (Friday, 9 a.m., White's of Westport, Westport)
PSYCHOLOGISTS BOARD: Board of Registration of Psychologists meets. Members plan to vote on adopting emergency regulations for implementing the state's abortion shield LAW, and discuss the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program for health care workers recovering from substance use disorders and mental health conditions. (Friday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
