People, Power, and Politics

The House side of the Cannabis Policy Committee unanimously advanced legislation Wednesday to downsize and restructure the embattled Cannabis Control Commission and to address a handful of industry pressure points like retail license limits, restrictions on medical marijuana businesses, and the emergence of intoxicating hemp products.  All 11 representatives on the committee backed Chairman Daniel Donahue's recommendation for a favorable report on the 46-page bill Wednesday, and it next heads to the House Ways and Means Committee. House Speaker Ronald Mariano earlier this year said a bill to deal with issues at the CCC was an early-session priority.

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!

6 to 3 to 2 to 1, finally

One can pick and choose when it started, there are a number of key points along this budget journey for the Town of Franklin. Go back to the first successful override in 2007. Or to the failed overrides in 2008 and 2010.

To the failed dedicated override for road repairs for $1M that folks chose not to accept in 2014. Yes, even after hearing that the Town needed to confirm that money for the override would be spent for a specific item, the voters chose not to fund needed road repairs.

Whether you call it the “fiscal cliff” or the “structural deficit”, it really comes down to a math problem. More money required to fund existing services than is scheduled to come in due to the 2 ½ override restrictions. You can try to ignore it but inflation is the major driver. Councilor Jones calculated the inflation impact of Prop 2 ½ since 1983 during the override discussions in the run up to the June 2024 failed attempt.

It is so much easier to blame someone else for the problem. That avoids the harsh reality of the situation our community faces. It seems there are a number of relatives of Rodney Dangerfield (“I get no respect”) who live here. They attempt to dominate or divert the conversation from facing reality. It gets a chuckle, laughed off, and the tragedy remains in front of us.

So the Town took on a massive effort with

• 6 Joint Budget Listening Sessions
• 3 Finance Committee budget hearings
• 2 Town Council budget hearings

In the run up to the special election Tuesday, June 3 at Franklin High School gymnasium from 6 AM to 8 PM.

Of the 25,865 registered Franklin voters, 2431 ballots have been cast by early and absentee voters (through 5/20/25 close of business) for this election per Town Clerk Nancy Danello.

The questions that remain?

1. How many of the remaining voters will turn out on Tuesday?
2. Will they be Rodney’s relatives? Or will they fund the current services our community needs?

When will we get an answer?

• We’ll find out by about 9 PM Tuesday evening.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 5/30/25, 11:00 PM

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, June 2 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06022025-1763

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group

Tuesday, June 3 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06032025-1766

School Committee Superintendent's Evaluation Sub Committee

Tuesday, June 3 Time: 5:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06032025-1726

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, June 4 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042025-1765

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 4 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06042025-1769

Cultural District Committee June Meeting

Thursday, June 5 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5813/CDC-Agenda_Meeting_june_2025docx?bidId=

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, June 5 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06052025-1744

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

Election prep resources:

• Joint Budget Listening Session “Watch, Listen, or Read” info https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/joint-budget-listening-sessions-fy-2026.html
• Finance Committee Budget Hearing “Watch, Listen, or Read” info https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/finance-committee-fy-2026-budget.html
• Town Council budget hearings “Watch or Listen” info https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/town-council-fy-2026-budget-hearing-1-2.html

The More Perfect Union radio show has resumed with an episode on the Special Election June 3

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/more-perfect-union-wfpr-98-june-3rd.html

The most recent Town Council Quarterbacking session summarizes the Council budget hearings and the all alcohol license transactions they approved in the May 22 meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/tom-mercer-i-condense-2-budget-hearings.html

--------------

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendars at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

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
--
Stephen Sherlock
Community Information Director (volunteer) for Franklin Matters/Franklin Public Radio
https://linktr.ee/franklinmatters

MEDWAY

Medway’s
new website, likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to
medwayma.gov

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND

The Legislature has completed work on three spending bills this year, has two more percolating in conference committee, and there's now yet another on the backburner that could emerge in June. Following the Senate's lead, lawmakers on Thursday sent Gov. Maura Healey a $190 million bill to address underfunded child care assistance accounts and she quickly signed it. That left hundreds of millions of dollars in other appropriations Healey dubbed time-sensitive -- like money for elder home care and rental assistance -- to be tackled at a later date. The fiscal theme will continue Wednesday when the Department of Revenue reports tax collections for May. Estimates have proven challenging on Beacon Hill, with revenues often falling short of or blowing past benchmarks and spending authorizations in the annual budget needing additional significant injections partway through the year. Virtually all of the legislative energy through the first five months of the 2025-2026 term has been devoted to budget bills, both annual and mid-year appropriations. With most of that work fully complete or into the negotiation stages, top Democrats may gain bandwidth to shift some of their attention to policy priorities. On the horizon in the House is action to reform the Cannabis Control Commission, which has been in the spotlight for months due mainly to management upheaval. Representatives on the Cannabis Policy Committee pushed forward legislation to restructure the embattled CCC and overhaul pressure points like retail license limits, and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz said he is "hopeful to do it soon" and that the House will "make it a priority to kind of get through it as quickly as we can." Top Senate Democrats haven't expressed the same sense of urgency on the CCC, and their non-budget attention could instead be directed toward a location shield bill pending in Senate Ways and Means or toward a Senate President Karen Spilka-backed proposal to update the 2022 law shielding abortion and transgender care from out-of-state legal action. That bill (S 2522) will get a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday after the House and Senate put aside their initial differences on the panel of jurisdiction. Plenty of other legislation will get aired next week with a baker's dozen different joint committee hearings scheduled.

The week kicks off with a Health Care Financing Committee hearing Monday diving into some of the thorniest policy thickets, including whether to change the health care cost growth benchmark system. Secretary of State William Galvin heads to Bunker Hill Tuesday for an event linked to the 250th anniversary of the famous Revolutionary War battle there. House Speaker Ron Mariano is set to address dentists at a State House event Wednesday. State regulators and watchdogs will examine new research about health care affordability at a Health Policy Commission meeting Thursday.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

MARCUS JOINS KELLER: WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller hosts Jon Marcus, higher education editor at The Hechinger Report, to discuss the Trump administration crackdown on international students and other trends in higher education. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

DIZOGLIO JOINS OTR: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is the guest on WCVB's weekly "On The Record" program. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Channel 5)

Monday, June 2, 2025

PENNSYLVANIA SENATORS: U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick of Pennsylvania participate in the latest installment of The Senate Project Series. Shannon Bream, anchor of Fox News Sunday, moderates the conversation. The event is hosted by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation. "Vigorous and open dialogue is an essential part of our democracy and having these two senators from opposite sides of the aisle discuss important issues of the day is a valuable contribution to the public discourse," Kennedy Institute Chairman Bruce Percelay said in a statement. (Monday, 9 a.m., Edward M. Kennedy Institute, 210 Morrissey Blvd., Boston)

BROADBAND RETROFIT: Massachusetts Broadband Institute joins with Preservation of Affordable Housing and Aervivo to celebrate Bay Meadow Apartments becoming the first location connected under its Residential Retrofit Program. Congressman Neal is set to join. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 100 Bay Meadow Road, Springfield)

WU COFFEE HOUR: Boston Mayor Wu and city staff hold a Roxbury coffee hour. (Monday, 10 a.m., Crawford Street Playground, 320 Walnut Ave., Boston)

DAIRY FARM TOURS: Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle and state officials visit three family-owned dairy farms to celebrate National Dairy Month. The first stop is 10 a.m. at Pine Island Farm (1474 Hewins St., Sheffield). That's followed by Maple Shade Farm (229 Hewins St., Sheffield) at 11:15 a.m. The final stop is Luther Belden Farm (9 Depot Road. Hatfield) at 2:30 p.m. (Monday, 10 a.m.)

SAFE ROUTES AWARDS: MassDOT holds the annual Safe Routes to School Awards ceremony, which will honor crossing guards, schools and community partners. Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at 11:10 a.m. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall | Program)

PRESSLEY ON ICE: Congresswoman Pressley holds a roundtable discussion and press conference amid escalating federal immigration enforcement actions here. Pressley's office says immigrant advocates, local leaders and impacted families plan to share the message of "hands off our immigrant neighbors" with President Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Attendees include Rep. Madaro, Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, Ivan Espinoza of Lawyers for Civil Rights and Gladys Vegas of La Colaborativa. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Maverick Landing Community Services, 31 Liverpool St., East Boston)

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

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

HEALTH CARE FINANCING COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Health Care Financing holds a hearing on legislation relative to health care resources and market oversight; pharmaceutical access, cost and transparency. Bills on the docket include a Rep. Lawn (who chairs the committee) bill to update the health care cost growth benchmark and other market oversight activities (H 1284), a Sen. E. Kennedy bill meant to promote transparency in prescription drug prices by conducting an affordability review (S 875), and a study of so-called pharmacy deserts in the state (H 1419 / S 858). Nearly 40 bills will be heard. (Monday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Livestream & More Info)

PRIDE FLAG RAISING: Boston Mayor Wu, Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA2S Advancement and community partners attend a Pride flag-raising ceremony to mark the start of Pride Month. (Monday, 12 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Boston)

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure holds a public hearing on legislation relative to credit cards, event tickets, career pathways and continuing education. Lawmakers hear testimony on about 25 bills, including those to expand licensure opportunities for school counselors; prohibiting sellers to impose a surcharge on customers who use a credit card; and regulating so-called alternative healing therapies, such as Asian bodywork therapy, reflexology, the Trager Approach, Qi Gong, Reiki, and others. A Rep. Ayers bill (H 321) would prohibit body piercing and tattooing without a license from the Department of Public Health. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room B-2 | Livestream & More Info)

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Service holds a public hearing on legislation relative to disability/line of duty and health presumptions. Lawmakers hear testimony on about 25 bills, including providing special death benefits for public safety officers, providing disability and death benefits for explosive device canine handlers and bomb technicians, mandating insurance coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters, and extending death benefits to the surviving spouses of call and volunteer firefighters. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-2)

REHAB COUNCIL: State Rehabilitation Council's Statewide Needs Assessment & Consumer Satisfaction Committee meets. Agenda includes a vote on fiscal 2026 budget recommendations. (Monday, 5 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

CONSTITUTION BEACH: Department of Conservation & Recreation holds a public meeting to present shade proposals for Constitution Beach, including a new pavilion, tree plantings and tree hammocks. DCR says it is addressing "extreme heat" by installing additional shade features. (Monday, 5:30 p.m. | Zoom)

POPE JOHN PAUL II PARK: Department of Conservation & Recreation holds a public meeting on shade proposals for Pope John Paul II Park, which includes a new pavilion, shade shelters and tree plantings. (Monday, 7 p.m. | Zoom)

ART EXHIBIT: An exhibit, "Cambodians in Amherst: The History of the Khmer Community" is on display on the fourth floor of the State House in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, with support of Rep. Domb's office. (Monday through Friday)

OIL SPILL EXERCISE: MassDEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency host a joint exercise to test plans to contain and recover oil spilled into the Merrimack River. The two-day exercise will be held Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3 at the Department of Conversation and Recreation's Lowell Heritage State Park, 160 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell, and the nearby Rourke Brothers Boat Ramp. On June 2, exercises are scheduled at Sampas Pavillion and Sheehy Memorial Park, 499 Pawtucket Street, Lowell. On June 3, exercises are scheduled at Douglas Field, 200 Wotton Street, North Chelmsford. These tests are the first oil spill preparedness exercises testing updated response strategies for the Merrimack River valley. (Monday and Tuesday)

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

LIFE SCIENCES CONFERENCE: MassBioEd hosts 10th annual Life Science Workforce Conference, which will feature the release of the 2025 Massachusetts Life Sciences Employment Snapshot. Participants include Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MassBioEd CEO Sunny Schwartz, and Executive Office of Education Assistant Secretary for Career Education Robert LePage. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Boston University, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave., Boston)

BUNKER HILL ANNOUNCEMENT: Secretary of State Bill Galvin and Simone Monteleone, acting superintendent of the National Parks of Boston, announce upcoming events and commemorations for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The anniversary is on June 17. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Bunker Hill Monument, 43 Monument Square, Charlestown)

WORCESTER GROUNDBREAKING: Housing Secretary Augustus provides remarks at the groundbreaking for the rehabilitation of 204 Main St., a project which received a 2024 HDIP grant from EOHLC and will feature 20 new residential apartment units and two commercial spaces. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 204 Main St., Worcester)

CRIMINAL RECORD REVIEW BOARD: Criminal Record Review Board meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

AID-IN-DYING: Advocates with Compassion & Choices Massachusetts Action Network and End of Life Options MA Coalition hold a lobby day in favor of bills (S 1486 / H 2505) to allow terminally-ill patients the legal option to end their lives with a doctor's prescription. Sens. Comerford and Brownsberger, and Reps. Philips and Cataldo are scheduled to speak. At the same time, advocates against the bill, with the Massachusetts chapter of Not Dead Yet, a disability rights group in conjunction with Patients Rights Action Fund, plan to hold a counterdemonstration. The issue of physician-assisted death has lingered on Beacon Hill for years, recently gaining favorable reports from the Public Health Committee and Health Care Financing Committee, but never moving onto the floor of either chamber for a full vote. The Joint Committee on Public Health held its first hearing of the session on the issue on April 2. Under the rules adopted by the House this term, the House members of that committee have a June 1 deadline to determine whether to give another favorable report to the controversial matter. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Nurses Hall)

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Transportation holds a public hearing on legislation related to automated enforcement, the so-called move over law, and vehicle safety. Topics on the docket include traffic regulation through using road safety cameras (H 3754 / S 2344), improving safety for highway maintenance personnel (H 3763 / S 2380), and bills addressing the law that requires drivers to slow down and move into an adjacent lane when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is behind them. Fines for not moving for an emergency vehicle are currently up to $100. A Rep. Gordon bill (H 3675) would increase the fine to $250 for a first offense, $1,000 for second offense, $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense, and any violation that results in injury to another person could be punished by a fine of $5,000 or up to one year in jail. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room B-2 | Livestream & More Info)

MBAE EDUCATION AWARDS: Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education holds its annual invite-only Education Awards Luncheon. Pedro Martinez, who will begin as the new commissioner of the state's K-12 education department in July, will give remarks. Other speakers include Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Katherine Craven, former Secretary of Education and MBAE co-founder Paul Reville, and. Lt. Gov. Driscoll. MBAE will present awards to Henry Thomas III, long-term leader of the Urban League of Springfield, and venture capitalist and philanthropist Rick Burnes. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., 32nd Floor, Boston | Register)

COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Statutory Advisory Board meets. Agenda includes updates from Commissioner John Oliveira and Deputy Commissioner Justine Muir, as well as program updates. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom

MUNI FINANCE: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a members-only webinar with the Division of Local Services focused on introductory municipal finance policies. Speakers include Sean Cronin, senior deputy commissioner of Local Services, and Theo Kalivas of the Financial Management Resource Bureau. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources holds a public hearing on bills related to water, waterways, wetlands and climate change. There are 57 bills on the agenda. A number of bills have to do with flood mitigation and preparedness, including a Rep. Shand proposal (H 1051) to create a commission to determine the feasibility of voluntary acquisition of flood risk properties and structures — an idea the Healey administration is also studying. Sen. Fernandes and Rep. LaNatra filed a "blue economy" bill (H 988 / S 605) to create new programs to protect the state's ocean-based economy. Rep. Philips has a bill (H 1020) with a slate of proposals to review and regulate emerging contaminants in public water systems. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Livestream & More Info)

EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Education holds a public hearing on bills related to college and career readiness, rural schools and regional districts and transportation. The committee has about 35 bills to consider. Rep. Scarsdale and Sen. Cronin filed bills (H 6977 / S 328) to fully fund regional school district transportation — a major stressor on most regional school districts, which is not fully reimbursed by the state. Rep. Blais and Sen. Comerford (H 517 / S 314) propose creating a Rural Schools Fund, seeded with $60 million. The Rural Schools Commission report released in July 2022 recommended this $60 million fund, though aid over the last few years has remained significantly lower than the recommended amount. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-2 | Livestream & More Info)

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a public hearing on bills related to criminal and court procedures. Lawmakers will hear testimony on over 60 bills, including a measure top Senate Democrats offered (S 2522) to strengthen the state's reproductive and transgender care laws in response to potential federal action. Other proposals on the agenda include a Sen. Velis bill to allow a judge to consider whether an individual has substance use disorder when evaluating the penalties for shoplifting (S 1285), a Rep. Jones bill allowing police officers to intercept wire and oral communications in the name of self defence (H 1775) and bills to end the practice of life terms without the possibility of a parole hearing and to offer compensation for victims of wrongful conviction. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Livestream & More Info)

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Higher Education holds a public hearing on legislation related to capital investment in higher education. There are only four bills before the committee during Tuesday's hearing, including Gov. Healey's higher education infrastructure bill (H 54). The governor filed it in January to pump at least $2.5 billion into campus facilities at the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges by the middle of the 2030s. She said the bill would modernize campuses to include labs, classrooms and training facilities that support fields like web development, robotics and automation, advanced manufacturing, and more. It will also focus on student health and wellness facilities, and will include an emphasis on decarbonizing campuses. Other bills include a Rep. Cruz and Sen. Oliviera proposal (H 1426 / S 949) to "provide green and healthy public colleges and universities and address their deferred maintenance needs," and a Rep. Cabral bill to invest in capital needs for colleges and universities in so-called gateway cities. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-1 | Livestream & More Info)

ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER REPORT: The Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission of Massachusetts releases the Massachusetts Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Community Survey Report. It's the first statewide survey focused on the experiences of the APIA community. The event will highlight data insights from the report on housing, health care, civic engagement and discrimination, and include a roundtable with members of the Asian Legislative Caucus. Reps. Chan, Nguyen, Uyterhoeven and Sangiolo are expected to speak. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room 437)

NCSL VOLUNTEER BRIEFING: Staff from Senate President Spilka and House Majority Leader Moran's offices hold an information session for House and Senate employees looking to volunteer for the upcoming National Conference of State Legislatures summit taking place in Boston August 4-6. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)

NORTHAMPTON NURSES PICKET: The registered nurses of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, hold an informational picket amidst contract negotiations with hospital owner Mass General Brigham. They say MGB has "refus[ed] to invest in the nurses and the long-term health of the community hospital." The union says this is an informational picket, and not a strike. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., Northampton)

MASS-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION: Massachusetts-Ireland Trade Commission meets for the first time. The commission, created through the fiscal 2025 budget and situated in the Massachusetts International Trade Office, will explore how the regions can boost their relationship in "trade, investment, and shared economic opportunities." Invited dignitaries give remarks, including Síghle FitzGerald, consul general of Ireland to New England; Neale Richmond, minister of state at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and former U.S. ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., UMass Club, 32nd floor, 1 Beacon St. | More Info)

BIZ AWARDS: Boston Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion holds a reception celebrating recipients of the 2025 Legacy Business Awards, which honors businesses for "significant impact." Officials say there were more than 1,450 nominations this year, and 65 businesses were invited to apply. Mayor Wu attends. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston)

GRAD COUNCIL LISTENING SESSION: Gov. Healey's K-12 Statewide Graduation Council holds a virtual listening session. Officials are looking for feedback from students, families, educators, administrators, higher education experts, business leaders and the public about the skills and knowledge students "need to thrive in college, careers, and civic life." (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Zoom)

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

NORTH SHORE CHAMBER: North Shore Chamber of Commerce holds a breakfast forum about finding and keeping "top talent." Speakers include Lt. Col. Eladio Medrano of the Massachusetts National Guard Employment Programs, Jennifer Price of North Shore Community College, Heidi Riccio of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Todd Angilly of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and Eliud Alcala of the MassHire North Shore Workforce Board. (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., Spinelli's, 10 Newbury St. Peabody | Register)

MEDFORD SMALL BIZ: A small business forum is hosted in Medford, featuring networking opportunities and panel discussions. Attendees can also learn about resources from the City of Medford, MassDevelopment, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., City Council Chambers, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford | More Info)

HOUSING COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Housing holds a public hearing on bills related to condos, public housing and manufactured housing. Lawmakers will hear testimony on 38 bills. A Sen. Tarr and Rep. DeCoste bill (S 1474 / H 1493) would allow moveable tiny houses to be categorized as permanent residential dwellings and accessory dwelling units and Rep. Chan proposes (H 1476) barring public housing from evicting a tenant due to owning a pet, or restricting certain breeds or sizes of dogs. Rep. Haggerty has a bill (H 1512) to exempt local housing authorities from the penalties of the MBTA Communities Law. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Room A-2 | Livestream & More Info)

MHP HOUSING INSTITUTE: The Massachusetts Housing Partnership hosts its 18th Housing Institute conference. This year's conference includes three tracks: policy and planning, affordable housing development, and outreach and advocacy. Attorney General Andrea Campbell and President and CEO of the Charles River Regional Chamber Greg Reibman will sit down for a fireside chat at 9:20 a.m. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., DCU Convention Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester | More Info | Agenda)

BOSTON/QUINCY DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Boston/Quincy Advisory Board meets. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

DENTAL LOBBY DAY: Massachusetts Dental Society hosts its annual lobby day. House Speaker Mariano is expected to speak, as well as Reps. Chan and Puppolo and Sen. Cronin. MDS is supporting bills to clarify that cost disclosure requirements and penalties under a 2022 health care law do not apply to dental providers; prevent insurers from capping fees on services that they do not cover, such as cosmetic procedures; require insurers to disclose virtual credit card-related fees and get provider consent before using this payment method to protect dental practices from hidden transaction costs; and reduce red tape that they say can delay dental surgeries. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)

FIRE TRAINING: Massachusetts Fire Training Council Sub-Committee meets. Members will discuss updated policies dealing with live burns and no-shows or cancellations. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 1 State Road, Stow | Agenda)

LIVE FIRE HEARING: Executive Office of Public Safety and Security holds its second public hearing on the 2024 gun safety law, focused on the new requirement for live fire training within the basic safety firearms course. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

LOCATION SHIELD ACT: Organizers host a legislative briefing on the Location Shield Act (S 197 / H 86), which would block the sale of location data to third parties. Reproductive rights activists and some Beacon Hill Democrats view the data privacy provisions as another layer of protection to ensure people can access abortion care without out-of-state interests and other entities obtaining information about patients' visits to abortion clinics. Bill sponsors Sen. Creem and Reps. Lipper-Garabedian and Vieira give remarks. Creem's bill was recently reported out favorably by Senate members of the Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cyber Security. Other advocacy and reproductive rights groups attend. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)

STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight accepts testimony on about two dozen bills, most of them dealing with official designations. Three bills are titled "An Act establishing an Indigenous Peoples Day" -- two (S 2113 / H 3292 from Sen. Comerford and Rep. Barber) would require the governor to proclaim the second Monday in October (currently celebrated as Columbus Day) as Indigenous Peoples Day. The other (H 3419 from Rep. Turco) would set Aug. 9 as Indigenous Peoples Day. House bills on the docket will face an Aug. 4 reporting deadline. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Access Info)

FIRE TRAINING COUNCIL: Massachusetts Fire Training Council meets. Agenda includes a fiscal affairs report, as well as legislative and Department of Fire Services updates. Members will also hear presentations and adopt new policies dealing with live burns and no-shows or cancellations. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 1 State Road, Stow | Agenda)

AUTHOR TALK: State Library hosts an Author Talk with Omo Moses about his book, "The White Pearl," which delves into his personal journey of growing up in Cambridge after his family moved back to the United States from Tanzania. The book also shares writings from his father, Bob Moses, who was a civil rights activist. Omo Moses, founder and CEO of education technology company MathTalk, joined his mother Janet Moses, who worked as a pediatrician at MIT. "For Moses, being back in the states would be the first time he encountered racial injustice," the State Library blog says. "The White Peril is much more than a coming-of-age story, it is the story of the black experience." (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library, Room 341 | Livestream

RECLAIMING VACANT PROPERTY: MassINC Policy Center hosts virtual session on themes from its April “Reclaiming Vacant Property” conference, focused on fighting blight and revitalizing neighborhoods. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Zoom)

TUE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy convenes a hearing to weigh bills dealing with utilities, ratepayer protection and competitive supply. High utility prices have frustrated many Bay Staters in recent months, and proposals on the agenda seek to relieve some of the pressure by requiring disclosure of discounts available to seniors, veterans or persons with disabilities (H 3468) or limiting returns on equity for utilities (H 3452). Gov. Healey unveiled a wide-ranging bill (H 4144) earlier this month she said would reduce energy costs, and although the matter will be reviewed by the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee, it is not on the hearing agenda. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

CLEAN HEAT: Senate Majority Leader Creem co-hosts a briefing on bills designed to help the transition to clean thermal energy (S 2249 / H 3539) and to ensure city council or select board consent in gas utility work (S 2248 / H 3446). Creem's office says the proposals build on frameworks already in place from the Legislature and the Department of Public Utilities as pockets of the state transition from gas to clean heating options, such as networked geothermal and air-source heat pumps. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room 222)

COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND - REHAB: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Rehabilitation Council meets. Agenda includes updates on the budget, programs and services. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

CLIMATE FUNDING BRIEFING: Environmental coalitions host a legislative briefing to discuss bills that would generate new revenues to mitigate the impacts of climate change and transition toward clean energy sources. The bills deal with affordable housing and environmental adaptation (H 3194 / S 1973), a proposed real estate property insurance fee to fund climate resiliency (H 938 / S 572), and a so-called climate change superfund (H 1014 / S 588). Hosts include the AHEAD coalition, Make Polluters Pay, and the Coalition for Equitable and Sustainable Climate Funding. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room 428)

CLIMATE COMPLIANCE PLANS: Department of Public Utilities holds a virtual hearing seeking public comment on the 2025 Climate Compliance Plans from Berkshire Gas, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty Utilities and Eversource. Gas companies must submit the plans every five years to help the state reach its 2025 climate goals. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | Zoom)

CHICOPEE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: Department of Conservation & Recreation holds a public meeting about shade proposals at Chicopee Memorial State Park, which include a new pavilion, shade shelters and tree plantings. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. | Zoom)

ANTI-DISPLACEMENT WORKSHOP: City officials and community partners hold a workshop tied to Boston's recently released Anti-Displacement Action Plan. The workshop will explore strategies and resources to stabilize residents, small businesses and cultural institutions, as well as how to improve the city's anti-displacement work. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Codman Square Health Center, 6 Norfolk St., Boston | More Info)

LAKE WYOLA STATE PARK: Department of Conservation & Recreation holds a public meeting about shade proposals at Lake Wyola State Park, which include new pavilions, tree plantings and hammock posts. (Wednesday, 7 p.m. | Zoom)

GREEN LINE SHUTDOWN: Green Line service will be suspended between North Station and Babcock Street on the B Branch, Kenmore on the C and D Branches, and Heath Street on the E Branch beginning at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and continuing all day, every day, for four days. Free shuttle buses will operate. (Wednesday through Sunday)

MAY REVENUES: Department of Revenue is scheduled to report on tax collections in May. The state's revenue haul through the first 10 months of fiscal 2025 is running about $2.66 billion above the same span a year earlier, buoyed by a surge in April, but officials say much of the overage has come from surtax and capital gains sources that have restrictions on how they can be used. (Wednesday)

Thursday, June 5, 2025

MUNI HR: Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources holds its annual meeting. Agenda includes a workshop on Medicare and a legislative update. Closed to press. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St., Danvers | Register)

MHP HOUSING INSTITUTE: The Massachusetts Housing Partnership hosts its 18th Housing Institute conference. This year's conference includes three tracks: policy and planning, affordable housing development, and outreach and advocacy. Housing Secretary Augustus will deliver remarks and present Housing Hero awards at 11:45 a.m. (Thursday, 9 a.m., DCU Convention Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester | More Info | Agenda)

"MEET THE MEDIA": MASSterList and State House News Service host a "Meet the Media" program, featuring two roundtable discussions with journalists and media figures to discuss what goes into daily news coverage, and the evolving local market. The first panel includes Mike Deehan of Axios, Jessica Bartlett of The Boston Globe, Chris Van Buskirk of The Boston Herald, Yawu Miller of The FlipSide and Katie Lannan of GBH News; it's moderated by Chris Lisinski of State House News Service. The second panel examines the challenges and opportunities of the local news landscape with Leigh Blander of The Marblehead Current, Albert Vasallo III of El Mundo Boston, Niko Emack of Cambridge Day, Mike Beaudet of Northeastern University, Tim Coco of WHAV; moderated by Aidan Ryan of The Boston Globe. (Thursday, 9 a.m., MCLE Conference Center, 10 Winter Place, Downtown Crossing | Register)

EARLY ED ADVISORY COUNCIL: Advisory Council on Early Education and Care meets. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)

WU COFFEE HOUR: Mayor Wu and city staff hold a Roslindale coffee hour. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Adams Park, 4225 Washington St., Roslindale)

SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies holds a public hearing on legislative matters related to small businesses, workforce development, municipal and regional development and emerging technologies. Bills on the docket include a proposal from Rep. Worrell and Sen. Mark (H 503 / S 305) to require certain businesses to notify their employees if they plan to sell their business, and give them the opportunity to join together to buy it. A Sen. Cyr bill (S 296) directs the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council to create an incentive program for businesses that locate their headquarters in Massachusetts. Sen. O'Connor proposes (S 306) a pilot program to offer a competitive grant program for startups owned by Massachusetts residents, providing ten grants totaling $500,000. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Room A-2 | Livestream & More Info)

MIGRANT WOMEN DOCUMENTARY: Centro Presente, Alianza Americas and United for a Fair Economy host a virtual discussion with documentary filmmaker Marcela Zamora, whose film "Maria en Tierra de Nadie" examines the stories of migrant women crossing borders. The event will be in Spanish with interpretation services available. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Email pmontes@cpresente.org for access)

HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission meets. Agenda includes updates on two new offices at the HPC that were created under recent market oversight and prescription drug reform laws: the Office of Health Resource Planning and the Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis. Commissioners will also review new research on affordability and cost-sharing, market transactions and upcoming new oversight work. There's also an update on the Moving Massachusetts Upstream investment program. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., 50 Milk St., Boston | More Info and Livestream)

MASS MENTORING PARTNERSHIP: Mass Mentoring Partnership, Sen. Crighton and Rep. Duffy hold a briefing about the impact of mentoring to "drive institutional change," as well as to boost outcomes for youth and young adults. A panel discussion will focus on best practices for implementing mentoring frameworks in the business, education, nonprofit and public sectors. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room 428)

CITY HALL GALLERY RECEPTION: Boston hosts a gallery reception for "Ways of Making People Disappear," a solo exhibit from Michelle Schapiro that "explores the lack of safety that the LGBTQIA+ community experiences in America," organizers say. The exhibit will be on view through July 18. (Thursday, 5 p.m., 1 City Hall Square, Boston)

GRAD COUNCIL LISTENING SESSION: Gov. Healey's K-12 Statewide Graduation Council holds its second listening session of the week. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., 500 Beech St., Holyoke | Register)

ROOSEVELT AWARDS DINNER: Massachusetts Democratic Party holds its Roosevelt Awards Dinner, where it will honor Lt. Gov. Driscoll and singer and activist James Taylor. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will join as a featured speaker. The 2025 Christopher Condon Activist Award will be presented to Gladys Rodriguez-Parker, retired district director for Congressman McGovern. This award is intended to recognize those who dedicated their lives to uplifting others through grassroots organizing. MassDems will also present the inaugural Sen. Ted Kennedy 'Lion of Labor Award' to Chrissy Lynch, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, 138 St. James Ave., Boston)

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL: Historians Nathaniel Philbrick and Emma Hart participate in a "transatlantic discussion" about the Battle of Bunker Hill, featuring American and British perspectives. The event is presented by the National Park Service, Friends of the Charlestown Public Library, the Bunker Hill Monument Association, British Consulate-General Boston and Bunker Hill Community College. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Bunker Hill Community College, 250 Rutherford Ave., Boston | Register)

CLIMATE COMPLIANCE PLANS: Department of Public Utilities hosts its second virtual public hearing on 2025 Climate Compliance Plans from Berkshire Gas, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty Utilities and Eversource. (Thursday, 7 p.m. | Zoom)

Friday, June 6, 2025

CARIBBEAN AMERICAN CARNIVAL: Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston holds a breakfast. Auditor DiZoglio attends. (Friday, 8 a.m., Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St., Boston)

SPILKA AT FRAMINGHAM STATE: Senate President Spilka speaks at Accelerate the Future's event on workforce development in behavioral health at Framingham State University. (Friday, 9 a.m., Framingham State University)

YOUTH SUMMIT: My Brother's Keeper Youth Summit will explore mentorship, leadership and pathways to success for young men of color in Boston through panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. (Friday, 9 a.m., Emmanuel College, 400 Fenway, Boston | More Info)

HERSTORY: Senate President Spilka's office hosts public viewing of a photo exhibit, which "covers the photos of 91 former Senate Presidents, mostly men, with photos of trailblazing Massachusetts women." "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, directly outside the Senate Chamber, third floor, State House)

WU COFFEE HOUR: Mayor Wu and city staff hold an East Boston coffee hour. (Friday, 10 a.m., East Boston Memorial Park, 143 Porter St., Boston)

WASTEWATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Wastewater Advisory Committee meets. (Friday, 10:30 a.m. | More Info)

EOHHS CSD GRADUATION: The Executive Office of Health and Human Services hosts a graduation ceremony for aspiring supervisors at the Center for Staff Development. (Friday, 1 p.m., Great Hall)

JUSTICE-INVOLVED WOMEN: Panel on Justice-Involved Women meets. (Friday, 1 p.m., 31 Maple St., Milford | Livestream)

MERRIMACK VALLEY SUBSTANCE ABUSE, PREVENTION: Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project holds a 10th anniversary celebration. The event will bring together community leaders, advocates and supporters focused on the "fight against addiction," according to organizers. Auditor DiZoglio attends. (Friday, 7 p.m., Lenzi's Catering & Function Facility, 810 Merrimack Ave., Dracut | Tickets)

Saturday, June 7, 2025

HEALTH CARE SERVICES: Health Care Services Board of the Department of Industrial Accidents meets. Members will vote to endorse the updated "Work-Related Asthma Treatment Guideline." Agenda includes a presentation about mindfulness to treat injured workers. For remote access, contact janice.toole@mass.gov. (Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. | More Info)

HISPANIC WOMEN IN BIZ: The Hispanic Image Smart Women's Biz Hub holds the "Anointed for Business Women's Conference." Speakers include Auditor DiZoglio and Dominican Republic Congresswoman Selinée Méndez. (Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 123 Old River Road, Andover | Register)