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Gov. Maura Healey grasps five-year-old Lincoln, as his mother, Ashley Stanger, recaps her son's journey to receiving a heart transplant. The family visited for an event in the governor's ceremonial office on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. April is organ transplant month.(Alison Kuznitz/SHNS)
FRANKLIN
New Town Website Does
Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar entries. Go to
https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
However, Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has compiled and and
shared the below information. Thanks Steve!
School vacation comes to an end with another wet weekend and major meetings are on the calendar for the week ahead.
Hopefully folks are fully rested and ready to return. The Finance Committee has its 3 budget hearings set for this week. They start Monday with Education covering the Tri-County, Norfolk Aggie and Franklin Public Schools budgets. Tuesday they get into the details on Public Works (water, sewer, roads, storm water, etc.) and Public Safety (police, fire and regional dispatch). They close out the week on Thursday with General Government, health and debt accounts and the vote to recommend for the Town Council. The Town Council will conduct their 2 budget hearings in May (May 21 & MAy 22).
As mentioned earlier, if there are remaining questions on the need for the override special election coming up on June 3, these three meetings are the time to get those lingering questions answered.
As to why the override is back again? Folks should remember that the steps taken to adjust the budget last year after the override failed used $3M of one time funds to balance that budget setting up for this year. We are fortunate that the school redistricting effort did result in significant savings so we are only facing a $3.8M deficit; yes, only .8M more than we knew last June we would face this year.
As for the remainder of the full week schedule, it is good that Franklin TV did build out the 3rd floor training room as a second broadcast spot (in addition to Council Chambers), as there will be dual live broadcasts on 3 of the 4 nights Monday through Thursday.
- Monday - Finance Committee and Planning Board
- Tuesday - Finance Committee and School Committee
- Wednesday - Town Council
- Thursday - Finance Committee and Conservation Commission
*** The agendas for the week ahead can be found here:
Finance Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)
Monday, April 28 Time:7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1700
Planning Board Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)
Monday, April 28 Time:7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1701
Massachusetts Strategic Health Group (Medway)
Tuesday, April 29 Time: 1:00 PM
https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1708
Finance Committee Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)
Tuesday, April 29 Time:7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699
Franklin School Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)
Tuesday, April 29 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1704
Cultural District Committee — SUBCOMMITTEE Porchfest Meeting
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:30pm
Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers)
Wednesday, April 30 Time:7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1709
Franklin Housing Authority - Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners (Remote Mtg)
Thursday, May 1 Time: 4:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05012025-1705
Conservation Commission Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)
Thursday, May 1 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/382?fileID=4477
Finance Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)
Thursday, May 1 Time: 7:00 PM
No agenda released at this time
*** Looking back at the week that was ***
The meetings during the school break week were generally quiet. I will bring to your attention the following recordings that if you missed as worthy of listening to:
Town Council Chair Tom Mercer and I condense the Council meeting of 4/16/25 to about 30 minutes
FM #1431 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/17/25
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/tom-mercer-and-i-condense-3-hour-town.htm l
Listen to the origin story of BLAST - Bringing Libraries and Schools Together. We talk with Erin O’Leary and Caleigh Keating, the collaborators who start with “Yes” and then figure it out.
FM #1434 - BLAST Fun - 04/17/25
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/04/caleigh-erin-i-had-blast-talking-about.html
--------------
For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events on posted on the top of the page
- Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
- Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar
Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
Subscribe for the weekly dose of information ->
https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html
MEDWAY
Medway’s new website,
likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to medwayma.gov.
Mon., Apr. 28
4 PMBoard of Assessors Meeting
7 PMSanford Mill Pond Dam Alternatives Analysis Introductory Meeting
Tues,, Apr. 29
1 PMMass. Strategic Health Group Board Meeting
3 PMSchool Committee Negotiations Subcommittee
Weds., Apr. 30
Thurs., May 1
STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND
.Input from state representatives influenced the contents and contours of the $61.4 billion annual budget that the House Ways and Means assembled, but House members still have 1,650 amendments they hope to tack onto the bill during House budget week, which gets underway Monday. It's the largest volume of amendments in at least 13 years, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. The Ways and Means budget would raise state spending by 6.4%, far outpacing the expected rate of growth in state tax revenues. Representatives are looking to push that bottom line even higher despite simultaneously expressing consternation over the likelihood that federal revenue supports are eroding. The taxpayers foundation estimates the fiscal impact of all amendments at about $2.45 billion, and points out that House budget deliberations in the most recent three fiscal years have led to an average of $118 million in added annual spending. The numbers, and this year's political and economic dynamics, indicate most amendments have almost no chance of passing. Way and Means chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues have overseen both explosive growth in state spending during their tenures and an impressive stockpiling of billions of dollars in the state's rainy day or stabilization account. By comparison, the Legislature has been more reluctant to part with revenue through the kind of tax relief that could make Massachusetts a more affordable place to live and a more competitive state from a business standpoint. Under House Rule 20B, amendments dealing with taxes and revenue will be up first when the House gavels in on Monday. While House Speaker Ron Mariano began this term by backing rules reforms that he said will give committee chairs more influence, it was Mariano himself who said this month that tax increases would not feature in the Ways and Means Committee budget, making that declaration only days after Michlewitz said tax increases were still on the table. The speaker's declaration chilled the environment for tax increases and there's also little appetite in the House for major tax cuts, although Republicans could make Democrats go on record against a series of tax relief amendments. House Rule 20B also requires the Ways and Means Committee to provide a short summary of each budget outside section prior to full House consideration of the budget bill. A Ways and Means spokesman said Friday that summaries will be posted online before deliberations begin Monday. The House could wrap up its budget by Wednesday. If budget sessions spill into Thursday, the final House budget vote could come on May 1. The Senate usually releases its budget in May and debates it the week before Memorial Day, but a spokesman for Senate President Karen Spilka declined on Friday to confirm any budget rollout and debate plans.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
LYNCH JOINS KELLER: Congressman Steve Lynch joins Jon Keller to discuss the backlash against the Trump tariffs and impact on local business, the controversy over the detention of a Tufts graduate student by ICE, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's run for reelection. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE: Jewish faith leaders and community groups host a Yom HaShoah candle-lighting ceremony to commemorate "Holocaust survivors lost in the past year, the Jewish community of Salgótarján, Hungary, and the 80th anniversary of liberation by Allied forces." Survivor Tamara Lvovich plans to share her story publicly for the first time. After the ceremony, attendees will participate in a recessional to the New England Holocaust Memorial on Union Street. (Sunday, 10:30 a.m., The State Room, 60 State St., Boston)
IDOWU "ON THE RECORD" | Boston Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu sits with "On the Record" hosts Ed Harding and Sharman Sacchetti. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)
QUINTAL DOOR-KNOCKING: MassGOP organizes a door-knocking spree in support of Larry Quintal, a Republican Taunton City Council member running in the June 10 special election to fill the House seat last held by the late Rep. Carol Doherty. Quintal and his wife co-own Silva Funeral Home in Taunton and have six children. He is past president of the Prince Henry Society of Taunton, a Polish American Citizens Club of Taunton and Auxiliary of Taunton Area Vietnam Veterans member, and a communicant of Saint Anthony Church. On the council, he says he "has been dedicated to helping our veterans, caring for our furry friends, and keeping Taunton affordable." (Sunday, 11 a.m., 80 Broadway, Taunton)
VIETNAM WAR LEGACY: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and 1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Initiative host a screening of a short documentary about the aftershocks of the Vietnam War titled "On Healing Land, Birds Perch." After the film, Linh-Phương Vũ of 1975 will moderate a bilingual panel discussion about "the trauma of war" with filmmaker Naja Pham Lockwood, faculty Vũ Diễm Hương, and community organizer Kevin Lam. Press asked to RSVP to press@jfklfoundation.org. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Stephen E. Smith Center, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston)
Monday, April 28, 2025
HOUSE: House begins deliberations on the Ways and Means Committee's $61.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2026. Representatives filed 1,650 amendments to the committee's spending plan, proposing to add at least another $2.5 billion to the budget. Generally, the House typically adds about $120 million in additional spending through the amendment process, the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation said. After introductory speeches, debate is slated to begin with consideration of amendments that would raise or lower the amount of tax revenue assumed in the budget. After that, most amendments are likely to be handled via closed-door meetings with leadership where members can make the case for their earmarks or other amendments during and then the House adopts select proposals as part of consolidated mega-amendments. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
LONG-TERM SERVICES: Long-Term Services & Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets. (Monday, 11 a.m., More Info)
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT MEETING: Disability Employment Subcommittee of the permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets. It'll receive presentations on employment obstacles for veterans, an update on inclusive workplaces for young adults with disabilities. (Monday, 12 p.m. | Zoom)
WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY: Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health holds its annual Workers' Memorial Day to honor and remember the workers who lost their lives on the job in Massachusetts in 2024. The event coincides with the release of MassCOSH's "Dying For Work" annual report, which examines the number of preventable deaths due to workplace injuries and illnesses in Massachusetts over the past year. The report will be available for review online beginning on Monday at 9 a.m. at www.masscosh.org. (Monday, 12 p.m., State House, front steps)
HOUSE BUDGET DINNER: Great Hall has been set aside for a four-hour block for a House budget dinner. (Monday, 4 p.m., Great Hall)
SPILKA, HOGAN AT WOMEN'S CAUCUS: Mass. Women's Political Caucus Political Action Committee hosts its spring fundraiser, where Senate President Spilka and House Speaker Pro Tempore Hogan are set to speak. The fundraiser syncs up with House budget week, a time when more people and special interest group representatives are at the State House. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., The Dubliner Irish Pub, 2 Center Plaza, Boston | Tickets)
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
BOARD OF ED: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets. Education Secretary Tutwiler, who is also serving as interim commissioner of K-12 education through July, will give an update on the state's response to federal actions. He will also provide an update on the search for a permanent commissioner, after the board voted last week for Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Pedro Martinez to lead the agency. Secretary Tutwiler will also provide updates on the council tasked with creating a new statewide graduation standard and Holyoke Public Schools as it transitions out of receivership. Other agenda items include a discussion of the K-12 Artificial Intelligence Task Force recommendations. Some of those recommendations include integrating AI literacy into curriculum frameworks, exploring using a "secure, enterprise-level AI tool for K-12," and offering no-cost training for teachers on how to handle AI in classrooms. Board members will also vote on whether to solicit public comment on regulations to streamline regional school district procedures. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 135 Santilli Highway, Everett | Agenda | Livestream)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure accepts testimony on health-related matters and professional licensure reform. Bills on the docket include a wheelchair repair and warranty bill (S 210) like the one that has twice passed the Senate, bills (H 388 / H 413 / S 249) that deal with gym or health club membership cancellations, legislation (H 384 / S 195) that aims to eliminate harmful chemicals from children's products, and more. House bills on the docket must be acted on by June 28, 2025. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Hearing Room B-2 | Agenda and Access Info)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Financial Services holds a hearing on health care-related bills. On the docket is a bill (H 1321) from Rep. Greg Schwartz, a primary care physician, that addresses transparency of consumer health insurance rights by specifying that certain information be included on insurance cards. There is also legislation (S 764 / H 1309) from Sen. Adam Gomez and Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa that would require reimbursement of costs for medically-appropriate evaluation and management services in outpatient settings to be part of a basic benefits package offered by insurers. The bipartisan duo of Sen. Paul Feeney and Rep. Kim Ferguson has a bill (S 742 / H 1151) that would require that certain therapy and rehabilitation treatment for acquired or traumatic brain injuries must be covered by health insurance. The docket also includes a handful of maternal health bills, including those related to insurance coverage of doula services (H 1312 / S 789), adding coverage for services from certified nurse midwives for Group Insurance Commission members (S 697 / H 1127), and requiring health insurance plans to cover the monthly fees associated with renting a multi-user breast pump for mothers of infants in intensive care or special care nurseries (S 682 / H 1317). (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Hearing Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)
AIR POLLUTION HEARING: Department of Environmental protection hosts a public hearing to discuss proposed regulatory amendments dealing with revised primary annual fine particulate matter standards and a secondary annual sulfur dioxide standard. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Zoom | More Info)
LOTTERY COMMISSION: State Lottery Commission meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Agenda | Email gpolin@masslottery.com for access)
METROWEST ADVOCACY: Senate President Spilka, of Ashland, speaks at 495/MetroWest Partnership's annual State House advocacy day. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Senate Reading Room)
100 DAYS OF HARM: Advocacy groups including the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Disability Policy Consortium, Health Care for All, Reproductive Equity Now, and Massachusetts Senior Action Council, hold a "100 Days of Harm" event 100 days into President Donald Trump's second term. They'll discuss shifts in health care, immigration, reproductive rights, senior services and disability rights under the Trump administration. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Outside the JFK Federal Building, 15 Sudbury St., Boston)
COMPTROLLER ADVISORY BOARD: Advisory Board to the Comptroller meets virtually to discuss a draft annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30, 2024. The report is one of the most important state financial documents prepared each year. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Zoom Access)
AMPL INSTITUTE: Community Servings hosts an event to launch the AMPL Institute and will release the institute's inaugural report on the state and future of access to medically-tailored nutrition. The name AMPL is an acronym for "Access to Medically tailored nutrition through Policy and Leadership," the organization said. Community Servings was an early leader in preparing and delivering nourishing meals to people living with HIV/AIDS and has since grown to provide 16 medical diets to thousands of people with life-threatening illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Markell Conference Center at Mass General Brigham, Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Dr., Somerville | Register)
HOUSE BUDGET DINNER: Great Hall has been set aside for a four-hour block for a House budget dinner. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Great Hall)
AIR POLLUTION HEARING: Department of Environmental protection hosts a public hearing to discuss proposed regulatory amendments dealing with revised primary annual fine particulate matter standards and a secondary annual sulfur dioxide standard. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Zoom | More Info)
MASSGOP "PAR-TEE": MassGOP hosts a fundraiser at Topgolf Canton, where attendees are urged to "join the par-tee!" Suggested donation is $50. Republicans are shut out of statewide and congressional offices and looking to bulk up their small numbers in the state Legislature in the 2026 elections. Attendees asked to RSVP to haley@massgop.com. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Topgolf Canton, 777 Dedham St., Canton)
SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTION DAY: Mass. Coalition for Suicide Prevention hosts its annual Advocacy Action Day. Advocates plan to push for $14.5 million in suicide prevention funding through the annual state budget, the importance of long-term funding for the 988 lifeline and promoting awareness of the lifeline on student IDs, safe firearms storage education, and student well-being. Participants plan to visit the State House throughout the day. (Tuesday)
HOUSE BUDGET DEBATE: House is expected to continue debate on the Ways and Means Committee's $61.4 billion budget plan for fiscal year 2026 and the 1,650 amendments filed to it. (Tuesday)
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
UNLOCKING LATINO COMPETITIVENESS: State House News Service and MASSterList join with We Are ALX to host a policy forum titled "Unlocking Latino Competitiveness." The event will feature research from the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation in collaboration with The Boston Foundation. According to organizers, the Latino American population is "one of the fastest-growing economic forces in Massachusetts, driving workforce expansion, business growth, and household wealth" and unlocking the community's full potential "is critical to the state’s future prosperity." MTF President Doug Howgate and We Are ALX President Eneida Román will present the report ahead of a panel discussion. The panelists are Rep. Vargas, Western Mass. Economic Development Council Vice President Xiomara DeLobato, UMass Boston professor Melissa Colón, Latinos for Education Mass. Director of Policy and Advocacy Jacqueline Monterroso, and Eastern Bank Foundation Fellow Jerry Rubin. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., MCLE, 10 Winter Place, Boston | Register)
APPRAISAL BIAS: Boston Foundation and its Racial Wealth Gap Partnership host a conversation on the local prevalence of the illegal act of residential appraisers assigning a lower home value based on the race of the homeowner or the racial composition of the property's neighborhood. The Brookings Institution said the undervaluation of homes owned by people of color or located in historically marginalized communities costs those homeowners an estimated $162 billion in value. Event participants plan to consider state and local policy solutions. Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijuene gives opening remarks. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 75 Arlington St., 3rd floor, Boston | Register)
FANATICS HEARING: Mass. Gaming Commission holds an adjudicatory hearing relative to the "durable suitability" of FBG Enterprises Opco, LLC d/b/a Fanatics Betting and Gaming. Legal sports betting began here in 2023, but regulators initially granted temporary licenses to give the commission's Investigations and Enforcement Bureau more time to study and report on the operators' "durable" suitability to conduct business in Massachusetts. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., More Info and Access)
SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY: Massachusetts School Building Authority Board of Directors meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Agenda | For access please email Maria.Puopolo@MassSchoolBuildings.org)
SPILKA WITH SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER: Senate President Spilka speaks at the Beacon Hill Summit of the Springfield Regional Chamber. (Wednesday, 10:15 a.m., Room 428)
CREATIVE SECTOR DAY: Gov. Healey is scheduled to speak at Creative Sector Day, which will bring together artists, creatives and cultural advocates. MASSCreative, Mass Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the New England Foundation for the Arts, New England Museum Association, Mass. College of Art and Design, and the Boston Foundation co-host. Other speakers include Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Mass. office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: During a week without a scheduled formal session, Senate Democrats plan a private caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate president's office and virtual)
INCLUSIONARY ZONING: Worcester Regional Research Bureau and Harvard Kennedy School's Rappaport Institute host a webinar on inclusionary zoning, featuring Chris Kluchman from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Worcester Chief of Development Peter Dunn, Hatfield Town Administrator Andrew Levine, and more. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Register)
APPRENTICESHIP DAY: Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Apprenticeship Standards, and construction industry unions host hundreds of attendees to celebrate National Apprenticeship Day. Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Labor Secretary Jones will speak, and there will be an interactive display on the history of apprenticeship in Massachusetts from the colonial era to today. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., IBEW Local 103 Union Hall, 245 Freeport St., Boston | Register)
HEALEY-GOLDBERG MEETING: Gov. Healey and Treasurer Goldberg have their semi-regular meeting. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Treasurer's Office)
DENIM DAY COMMEMORATIONS: Lawmakers gather for Denim Day with the goal of raising awareness about misconceptions regarding sexual assault. The initiative of Peace over Violence will feature remarks from Women’s Caucus Sexual Violence Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Natalie Higgins and Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and Peggy Currier of Pathways for Change. A 2:45 p.m. group photo at the Grand Staircase will feature Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka, and Treasurer Deb Goldberg, according to organizers. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Room 157)
HOUSE BUDGET DINNER: Great Hall has been set aside for a four-hour block for a House budget dinner. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Great Hall)
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Cambridge and Somerville residents are invited to weigh in on three questions: What should students know and be able to do by the time they graduate from high school? How should students demonstrate their readiness to graduate? How can schools, pre-K to 12, support these goals? The forum is being organized by Citizens for Public Schools, the Cambridge Education Association, the Somerville Educators Union, and Cambridge Retired Educators United. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Library)
SNAP DAY OF ACTION: Northeast Regional Anti-Hunger Network organizes a "regional day of action" across all the New England states and New York to raise awareness about cuts to SNAP being considered by Congress, and to generate phone calls and emails to congressional delegations. Congress could cut $230 billion to the program over 10 years, amounting to a 20% cut, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Project Bread, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and the state's food banks are organizing the Massachusetts branch of the advocacy day. (Wednesday)
HOUSE BUDGET DEBATE: House is expected to continue debate on the Ways and Means Committee's $61.4 billion budget plan for fiscal year 2026 and the 1,650 amendments filed to it. (Wednesday)
Thursday, May 1, 2025
SENIOR WEALTH REPORT: Boston Indicators releases a report on how financially secure Massachusetts seniors are in retirement. The report, "Wealth Gaps in the Golden Years: Economic Insurity for Older Adults in a High-Cost State" determines how many Massachusetts seniors are struggling to meet basic needs, as well as shares interviews with close to 30 lower-income older adults. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | Zoom Webinar)
ASSISTED LIVING LOBBY DAY: Massachusetts Assisted Living Association hosts its annual advocacy day. Organizers say participants plan to express gratitude for a 2024 law to make basic health services permanent in assisted living, while also advocating to expand the "Frail Elder Waiver" to include assisted living. Speakers include Sen. Pat Jehlen and Rep. Thomas Stanley, chairs of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)
SENATE: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
PLAINVILLE PARK CASINO: Mass. Gaming Commission heads to Plainville to host a public hearing about Plainridge Park Casino's renewal of a Category 2 gaming license. Casino leadership plans to discuss the renewal process, and other representatives from the town of Plainville and surrounding communities will also get a chance to speak. Participation is limited to in-person only, and North TV Community Media will livestream the hearing. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Plainville Town Hall, 190 South St., Plainville | Livestream)
AAPI ADVOCACY DAY: Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network promotes its 2025-2026 agenda, to kick off Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. The event will feature remarks from members of the MA House Asian Caucus, and other government leaders and members of the AAPI community. The group's policy priorities include bills that target ending ICE detention partnerships, local rent control and tenant protections, interpreter access in public schools, and anti-hate and civil rights protections. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Room 427)
SPILKA IN SALEM: Senate President Spilka delivers keynote remarks at the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development's Policymakers Speakers Series. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem)
NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS: Sen. Comerford and Rep. Meschino speak as The Nature Conservancy hosts a webinar on how forests, fields, and wetlands are able to help Massachusetts reach its net-zero emissions requirement. Organizers said Massachusetts has begun the process of maximizing the carbon-capture ability of natural lands, but "changes in land use policies and support for municipalities and private landowners are the key to going the rest of the way." (Thursday, 12 p.m., Register)
ELM EARTH NIGHT AT FENWAY: Environmental League of Massachusetts holds its Earth Night 2025 event, which organizers say is typically attended by more than 500 government officials, business leaders, and environmental advocates. Recipients of Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards this year are Gov. Maura Healey, MIT President Dr. Sally Kornbluth, and Dr. Yet-Ming Chiang, cofounder of Sublime Systems and Form Energy. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Fenway Park, 521 Overlook)
MAY DAY RALLY: Workers associated with a nationwide coalition rallying on May Day protest what they are calling the "Billionaire agenda." Protests are also happening in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, St. Paul and Washington D.C. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, Boston)
YOUTH VILLAGES ANNUAL DINNER: Youth Villages holds its annual gala, Red Kite Nite, to celebrate 18 years of operations in Massachusetts. The nonprofit service provider is dedicated to children’s mental and behavioral health and improving outcomes for children, families and young people involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It has served almost 10,000 young people over the last 17 years. Mark O'Donnell, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, will be honored. The speaking program will be MC'd by radio and television host Billy Costa. (Thursday, 6:45 p.m., Fairmont Copley Plaza, Grand Ballroom, 138 Saint James Ave., Boston)
Friday, May 2, 2025
ROCA ANNUAL BREAKFAST: Roca Inc., a violence intervention and behavioral health program for at-risk youth, hosts its 20th annual breakfast fundraiser. (Friday, 8 a.m., InterContinental Hotel, Rose Kennedy Ballroom, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston | Tickets)
RODRIGUES ADDRESSES SERVICE PROVIDERS: Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues is scheduled to speak at a legislative breakfast hosted by The Providers of Central Massachusetts. Organizers expected more than 180 state and local officials, individuals and families served by the organizations, and advocates to discuss "the current challenges facing individuals with disabilities and care providers, including federal policy changes." The Providers of Central Mass. includes ADDP, Advocates, Center of Hope Foundation, Centro, Community Resources for Justice, JRI, Kennedy-Donovan Center, LUK, Open Sky Community Services, Pernet Family Health Service, Providers’ Council, Seven Hills Foundation, Sunshine Village, The Arc of Massachusetts, The Arc of Opportunity, Thrive Support & Advocacy and Venture Community Services. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester)
SPILKA WITH CHIEFS: Senate President Spilka attends the Middlesex Chiefs of Police Association's legislative breakfast. (Friday, 9 a.m., Burlington Marriott, One Burlington Mall Road, Burlington)
HERSTORY: Senate President Spilka's office hosts public viewing of a photo exhibit "honoring 91 trailblazing women who have shaped the history of Massachusetts and the nation." The display, "HERstory: Volume III," is open to the public every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Sen. Spilka’s ceremonial office on the third floor of the State House, directly outside the Senate Chamber)
Saturday, May 3, 2025
CONGRESSMAN LYNCH RALLY: Congressman Lynch hosts a "Fight for the Working Class" rally. (Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m., Hancock Adams Common, 1305 Hancock St., Quincy Center)
