People, Power, and Politics

Freezing Iced. Following the Healey administration's playbook, the House has now imposed a temporary hiring freeze. Katherine Palmer, the House's human resources director, announced the measure Wednesday afternoon, shortly after House Democrats met in a private caucus. The House had 528 full-time employees in fiscal 2025, state records show. Payroll, including representatives, totaled nearly $30 million. There's no hiring freeze in the Senate, according to a spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka. "The Senate is closely monitoring the impact that federal actions are having on our economy and our budget," the spokesperson said. "We are grateful to all of our staff, and thankful that that there is a low level of turnover."

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!

“Hot town, summer in the city

Zoning details gettin' dirty and gritty”

With apologies to the Lovin Spoonful for adapting their lyrics to this week’s outlook

The Town Council has their only July meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 and it starts earlier than normal due to the nature and number of items on the agenda. Yes, pay attention, the action starts at 6 (not 7) PM on Wednesday.

Aside from some of the normal business items (new restaurant license, restaurant license moves, some but not of the expiring committee/board appointments) there are the multiple zoning items for the Crossing Neighborhood District up for referral to the Planning Board. These were a key part of the lengthy Economic Development Subcommittee meeting this past week. Add a few more voices to the discussion and it is likely to be lengthy as well.

All of this before the Council gets to weigh in on a new “friendly” 40b proposal (202 Washington St) as well as the promised adjustments to the friendly 40b process. Why not do the adjustments before the discussion on the new 40b proposal? Given the timing, the new 40b proposal would be applicable to the prior process not the new process (even if the new was approved).

One item not on the agenda related to 40b is a resident request to consider developing a “Franklin” 40b target. There are problems with the State calculation (including all apartment units to the 40b listing; for example, 121 Grove St will bring on 300 units but only 75 of them are affordable). Is 10% really a worthy target? Or should it be another and more accurate reflection of affordable units?

Settle in for a lengthy evening of important discussions and decisions beginning at 6 PM on Wednesday.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 7/18/25, 8:00 PM

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, July 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/450?fileID=5409

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

Wednesday, July 23 Time: 3:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1824

Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, July 23 Time:5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1828

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, July 23 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232025-1829

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School Meeting

Thursday, July 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07242025-1825

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, July 24 Time:7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/451?fileID=541

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

The Economic Development Subcommittee met on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in the 3rd Floor Training room. 3 members were present and participated in the first agenda item. Once that was complete, the 4th member, Cobi Frongillo joined them for the remainder of the session. He had recused himself from the Crossing Neighborhood District discussion to avoid a conflict of interest. His father's business is located in that potential district.

Franklin TV video replay is available -> https://www.youtube.com/live/6hKdQIw9rpQ

Franklin Matters recap -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/economic-development-subcmte-spends-3.html

Two musical performances were recorded at the Franklin TV Studio and now available for replay via YouTube:

Chad Hollister & Premo which includes a conversation with Jim Derick, Chad & Premo between songs => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXY5gQTcnpw

Electric Youth 2025 which includes a conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer and the group -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH0YtOwSaok

—------------

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 made reproductive and gender identity care protections its top non-budgetary focus more than six months into the new session. Bills addressing that topic appear likely headed for resolution before a conference committee. Lawmakers this week also set up a six-person conference to hammer out a supplemental spending bill (H 4265 / S 2540) that got lost in the shuffle when attention shifted in late June and early July to finalizing the fiscal 2026 budget. Non-budgetary bills are beginning to work their way into the full House and Senate, including a trio of proposals set for Senate votes Thursday dealing with people with disabilities and outdated state laws. Two of the bills aim to modernize language used in statute by removing hundreds of instances where people are described using aged or offensive language (S 137) and by eliminating archaic laws (S 1034), including those that criminalize sodomy. The third bill, which like the others has passed the Senate previously, would codify a so-called "blue envelope" program intended to make interactions between police and autistic motorists easier. House Democrats plan a formal session Wednesday, but have not similarly publicized any planned votes. One option inching toward the chamber floor is the annual road and bridge funding bill. The Bonding Committee plans Monday to hold a hearing on the $1.185 billion package (H 4257), which combines a one-year, $300 million authorization for the Chapter 90 program with another $885 million in other infrastructure grant funding. Once that panel stamps its approval, the House could move quickly in an attempt to wrap up that bill before many lawmakers break for August vacations. Legislative leaders might opt to take more time with Healey's budget-related proposals, including her push for temporarily expanded 9C authority to cut spending midway through the year if the state's financial picture darkens. "We generally are resistant to giving up legislative prerogative over issues, but we've still yet to have a conversation about that," Senate budget chief Michael Rodrigues said this week. Top Democrats have not signaled how they'll address the $130 million Healey vetoed from the fiscal 2026 annual budget, nor the two policy amendments she sent back, including a study proposal that would effectively stall the mandatory retirement savings program lawmakers sought to create. "It's a little premature for me to answer," House Speaker Ron Mariano replied when asked about his plans for that amendment.

Sunday, July 20, 2025

NORFOLK SHERIFF ON KELLER: Political analyst Jon Keller talks to Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott, head of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, about the potential impact of federal budget cuts on rehabilitation work, reentry programs, and potentially giving sheriffs control over prisoners for longer periods of time. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

FERNANDES ON THE RECORD: Sen. Dylan Fernandes, who represents Plymouth and part of Cape Cod and chairs the Agriculture Committee, is the guest on the weekly "On The Record" program. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

MIDDAY MASS CASH: Mass. Lottery holds its first midday drawing in the Mass Cash game, essentially expanding the game by double. Rather than just a 9 p.m. drawing, Mass Cash numbers will be drawn at 2 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. each day starting Sunday. The game began with two drawings per week in 1991. To play Mass Cash, a bettor pays $1 to select five numbers between 1 and 35. Matching three of the numbers drawn wins $10, matching four wins $250 and matching all five wins the player $100,000. The Lottery says the overall odds of winning are 1 in 72, or 1 in 324,632 to win the grand prize. (Sunday, 2 p.m.)

GOLDBERG IN MALIBU: Treasurer Goldberg attends the 2025 National Institute of Public Finance conference at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in Malibu, Calif., through Wednesday. "It is essential in this challenging and ever-changing environment that we continue to empower public-finance leaders with the right resources to effectively assess, navigate, and manage the key risk areas facing today’s high-performing public-finance organizations," Goldberg, who is listed as the organization's co-chair, says in a quote on the conference website. (Sunday through Wednesday)

Monday, July 21, 2025

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD: Energy Facilities Siting Board holds a public meeting about implementing the 2024 clean energy law, which included energy and siting permitting reforms. The board is slated to hear staff presentations on draft regulations and guidance. (Monday, 9 a.m., 1 South Station, Third floor, Boston | More Info and Remote Access)

POST CONFERENCE: Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds a virtual pre-hearing conference dealing with William Castro. (Monday, 9:30 a.m. | Zoom)

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

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

EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Health-related bills are on the docket for the Education Committee, including Rep. Garballey's proposal to ensure that K-12 schools conduct air quality monitoring (H 583), Sen. Lewis's bill (S 401) to require school food vendors to offer healthier food options for school meals and limit ultra-processed foods, and Sen. Rausch's idea (S 441) to mandate specific staffing ratios for school mental health professionals. Rep. DeCoste of Norwell has a bill (H 551) that would require every school committee to adopt procedures for notifying a parent or guardian if there is any change in a student's services or monitoring related to "mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being and the school's ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student." Those procedures would be required to "reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children." Representatives will face an initial Sept. 19 reporting deadline for House bills on the hearing agenda. (Monday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Access Info)

PRO-HARVARD RALLY: On the first day of hearings in Harvard University's lawsuit against the Trump administration, alumni, students, faculty and elected officials rally to express their support. Organizers, who dubbed themselves Crimson Courage, say the rally "seeks to support Harvard in its battles against $3 billion in cuts made to research grants by the federal administration, as well as advocating for academic freedom, institutional autonomy, international students, researchers and scholars." Speakers include a trio of Harvard professors, Cambridge City Councilor and Harvard alumna Patty Nolan, UNITE HERE Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo and more. (Monday, 12 p.m., Moakley Federal Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston)

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL HEARING: Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets holds a hearing on the Transportation Committee's rewrite of the governor's Chapter 90 local road and bridge funding bill. The committee last week advanced a bill (H 4257) that calls for a one-year, $300 million bond authorization for the Chapter 90 program, including a change to how some dollars are allocated designed to support more rural communities, and $885 million in borrowing to support other maintenance programs, culverts and small bridges, and congestion relief efforts. The Chapter 90 program reimburses cities and towns for maintenance of local roads and bridges. (Monday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

REMOTE TOWN MEETING: League of Women Voters of Massachusetts hosts a virtual legislative briefing about a bill (H 2274) that would allow local select boards and town moderators to host Town Meeting remotely or in a hybrid format. Organizers say the policy has the support of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. (Monday, 2 p.m., Zoom Registration)

TAUNTON STATE HOSPITAL: Taunton State Hospital Board of Trustees meets. The hospital is operated by the Department of Mental Health. Agenda includes a presentation from the Psychiatry Department, hospital updates, and staffing and vacancies. (Monday, 3:30 p.m., 60 Hodges Ave., Taunton | More Info)

TRANSPARENCY UPDATE: With new joint rules reforms in place aimed at boosting legislative transparency, Act on Mass, Progressive Dems of Mass, Progress Mass, Mass Sierra Club and 350 Mass hold a virtual "transparency campaign update." Members plan to discuss what the news rules mean, how advocates can use those rules to promote progressive policies, and what additional reforms are necessary. (Monday, 6:30 p.m. | Register)

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD: Energy Facilities Siting Board meets and votes on the "tentative decision" made earlier this month for the Mid Cape Reliability Project change. Eversource Energy wants to modify infrastructure in Bourne, Sandwich and Barnstable. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1 South Station, Third floor, Boston | More Info and Remote Access)

STATE ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a public hearing on about 30 bills dealing with state regulations. Legislation from Rep. Domb and Sen. Jehlen (H 3318 / S 2156) would ensure that free menstrual products are available in public buildings and public higher education institutions. Proposals from Rep. Madaro and Sen. DiDomenico (H 3384 / S 2125) seek to bolster language access and inclusion by requiring public-facing agencies to provide interpretation services and translate vital documents. Rep. Puppolo and Sen. Keenan want to establish permanent standard time in Massachusetts (H 3405 / S 2157), though the measure needs buy-in from nearby states. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

SOUTH END AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for the Casas Borinquen project in Boston's South End. The project involves the renovation of 36 affordable housing units across nine townhomes, plus the creation of five new two-bedroom affordable units. The new units are available due to IBA converting its former administrative offices. Speakers include Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, Boston Housing Chief Sheila Dillon and IBA CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado. Expected attendees include Sen. Collins, Rep. Moran and Boston City Councilors Flynn, Mejia and Santana, according to organizers. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 403 Shawmut Ave., Boston)

PRIMARY CARE TASK FORCE: Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force meets. The panel has a mid-September deadline to issue its first report with recommendations on defining primary care services and developing standardized data reporting requirements for public and private payers, providers and provider organizations. In December, the task force must submit another report on establishing a primary care spending target. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)

LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development holds a public hearing on 20 bills on employment rights. A Rep. Arciero bill (H 1064) would provide workers with 10 paid days of bereavement leave following the death of their child. Legislation from Rep. Blais and Sen. Comerford (H 2070 / S 1293) would establish a special commission to study and make recommendations on extending and funding the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave program. A Rep. Scanlon proposal (H 4117) aims to bolster arbitration options for public school teachers and their employees to resolve "collective bargaining impasses." (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room B-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

CANNABIS POLICY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy holds a hearing on bills related to advertising, bargaining rights and more. Sen. Fernandes's bill (S 81) would bar marijuana regulators from prohibiting "advertising, marketing and branding of sales, discounts, and customer loyalty programs" in stores and online. Sen. Fattman's legislation (S 79) would add PTSD and opioid use disorder to the list of qualifying conditions for the medical marijuana program, and a Sen. Edwards bill (S 77) would establish the right to form a union in cannabis work. Other bills deal with a prohibition on non-prescription cannabis billboards (H 157), scaling back security requirements for some cannabis facilities to be no more restrictive than those that apply to pharmacies (H 166), and creating a competitive cannabis testing program (H 167). (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Hearing Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Transportation Committee welcomes testimony at a hearing on 36 bills related to aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses and veterans' license plates. One bill from Rep. Sousa of Framingham (H 3787) would streamline the process of obtaining a commercial driver's license for anyone who intends to use it only to operate a school bus, while another from Rep. Whipps of Athol (H 3814) would strengthen penalties for motorists who pass stopped school buses. Drones are another chief area of focus on the hearing agenda, including legislation regulating their use (H 3663) or specifically limiting their flights near schools (H 3618). (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room B-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

COMMON START BIRTHDAY: Supporters of last year's early education and child care state budget provisions gather to mark their one-year anniversary with a "family-friendly birthday party (complete w/ cake, ice cream and goodie bags)." Sen. Lewis and Rep. Gordon are slated to speak. The fiscal 2025 budget included Common Start Coalition priorities like codifying the Commonwealth Care for Children grant program and scholarship, loan forgiveness, and career ladder programs. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Tadpole Playground, Boston Common, Boston)

CLEAN ENERGY CREDITS: National industry group Advanced Energy United hosts a media briefing to discuss the federal rollback of clean energy tax credits under a new law and potential impacts on states. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Zoom Registration)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING: Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming holds a virtual hearing focused on carbon sequestration from "natural and working lands." (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | More Info and Access)

HEAT PUMP ANALYSIS: Green Energy Consumers Alliance hosts other advocates and an official from the Department of Energy Resources for a webinar on a new analysis from Switchbox that shows new heat pump electricity rates proposed by DOER could help up to 82% of households save an average of $687 each winter if they were to upgrade to a heat pump. The state is supposed to strive toward having 65% of existing homes to use heat pumps by 2030 and 90% by 2040 under its climate plans, and advocates said the Department of Public Utilities should approve DOER's proposal to help spur the adoption of heat pumps. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Register)

CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities holds a public hearing on 16 bills related to the Department of Children and Families. Legislation from former Rep. Doherty, who passed away earlier this year, and Sen. Moore (H 218 / S 164) would create the Harmony Commission -- named for Harmony Montgomery -- to evaluate what went wrong in the case and make recommendations to improve welfare and "best interest considerations" for children in care and protection cases. Proposals from Rep. Farley-Bouvier and Sen. Gomez (H 229 / S 131) would enable foster parents to become state employees, which would give them the ability to form a union and collective bargaining rights. Rep. Meschino wants to ensure that siblings are kept together in foster care (H 268), and require that children in DCF custody and their parents have regular visits unless those interactions "would be harmful to the child's health or safety" (H 269). (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hearing on bills that deal with zoning and land use. On the docket is Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro's bill (H 16) dealing with county land disposition, a Rep. McMurtry bill (H 2312) prohibiting zoning ordinances or bylaws that "prohibit or unreasonably regulate the installation of solar energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy" except in a handful of cases, and a Sen. Moore resolve (S 1461) to create a special commission to study the use and effectiveness of the zoning approval process of educational uses under the so-called Dover Amendment, which exempts religious and educational uses from certain local zoning restrictions. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development holds a public hearing on six bills about access to library materials. Bills from Rep. John Moran and Sen. Cyr (H 3594 / S 2328) aim to prevent book bans by requiring libraries to develop written policies for selecting and challenging materials, plus mandating public reporting on book challenges. Legislation from Rep. Murray and Sen. Feeney (H 3595 / S 2330) would create a special commission to analyze challenges confronting libraries and digital resource collections, as well as make recommendations on how to support the sustainability of those collections and better support access among residents. Massachusetts libraries are bracing for federal funding cuts, after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room B-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

VETERANS AND FEDERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs holds a public hearing on about 40 bills. Legislation from Rep. Lipper-Garabedian and Sen. Lewis (H 3866 / S 2477) would waive education requirements for skilled veterans to become licensed practical nurses if they have "satisfactorily" completed military medical training. Rep. Hong wants to establish a veterans service dog program (H 3850), which would be funded through a mix of public and private sources. Proposals from Rep. Scanlon and Sen. Payano (H 3880 / S 2483) would enable cities and towns to designate special parking spots for veterans, and unauthorized vehicles could be fined $100. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

EARLY ED DATA: Data Advisory Commission on Early Education and Care meets remotely. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)

ASSISTED LIVING AWARDS DINNER: Massachusetts Assisted Living Association holds its annual Excellence Awards Dinner, which honors residents and staff from assisted living communities across the commonwealth. Sharon Ricardi, president of Northbridge Companies, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award. (Tuesday, 4:40 p.m., envision Hotel & Conference Center Mansfield-Foxboro, 31 Hampshire St., Mansfield)

LOWER NEPONSET SUPERFUND: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Technical Assistance Services for Communities program will review an evaluation and cost analysis for the first phase of cleanup for the Lower Neponset River Superfund Site with residents who live nearby. The 450-page document outlines potential paths to remove pollutants from the riverbed, which is contaminated from decades of industrial waste tied to the now-closed the Lewis Chemical Corporation which once abutted the river. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Pryde Community Center, 59 Harvard Ave, Hyde Park)

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

POST CONFERENCE: Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission holds a virtual pre-hearing conference dealing with Joshua Heal. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)

ASSISTED LIVING COMMISSION: Assisted Living Residences Commission, created under the 2024 long-term care law and required to issue a report and recommendations by Aug. 1, meets for the second time since a fire killed nine residents of a Fall River assisted living facility. When the group met July 15, it wrestled with its next steps: some favored issuing an interim report and finding a way to continue the group's work specifically around safety issues, other proposed extending the group's reporting deadline, and there was talk of a separate hearing and study of specific issues raised by the Fall River fire. "I think we have, well, we will have a number of issues, perhaps sadly, that will need to probably be addressed through this report and beyond," Rep. Carole Fiola of Fall River, who is not a member of the commission, said at the last meeting. Aging & Independence Secretary Robin Lipson said she wanted to take time between the meetings to "think about how we balance the need to take a little more time on some issues, like the ones that we talked about that are directly influenced by what happened in Fall River, with the desire to share some of the great work we've already done with the Legislature." (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Access Info)

SOCIAL SERVICES GRANT HEARING: Department of Children and Families and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services hold a public hearing on their recently submitted reports for the federal Social Services Block Grant. State officials submitted a pre-expenditure report and intended use plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant provides flexible federal dollars that states can use on social services, including protecting children and adults from neglect, abuse and exploitation, according to federal officials. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 11th Floor, Boston | More Info)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing on Gov. Healey's nomination of Joanna Rodriguez as a District Court judge. Rodriguez currently serves as a Juvenile Court judge. (Wednesday, 11 a.m.,, Council Chamber | Livestream)

LANDLORDS RALLY ON BEACON HILL: Small Property Owners Association hosts a rally criticizing a new state law banning renter-paid broker fees. "Rather than coming up with constructive solutions that are fair to everyone, such as cost sharing arrangements, the government will allow broker fees to be passed on to property owners. Many may have to forgo hiring brokers altogether," organizers said. Gov. Maura Healey has flatly said that the new law "will ban renter-paid broker's fees." Section 43 of the new state budget states: "A licensed broker or salesperson may solely contract with a prospective tenant to find rental residential real property for a tenant and present an offer to lease to the landlord or landlord's agent and negotiate on behalf of the tenant or may solely contract with a landlord or landlord's agent to find a tenant for a property. Any fee shall only be paid by the party, lessor or tenant who originally engaged and entered into a contract with the licensed broker or salesperson." (Wednesday, 11 a.m., State House steps)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets for its weekly assembly. The council could vote to confirm Andrew Don Jr. to join the Juvenile Court and Lisa Core to join the District Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. |Livestream)

ADA RALLY AND MARCH: A rally and march focused on disability rights is held to mark the 35th anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The event starts with the raising of a Disability Rights Flag and a speaking program outside Boston City Hall. Participants at 12:30 p.m. will then march down Tremont Street to The Embrace Monument on Boston Common, where there will be speakers, performances and a "call to action." (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Boston City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, Boston)

TELEHEALTH COMPLIANCE: Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association holds a webinar about telehealth compliance. There will be a presentation about the expiration of pandemic-era flexibilities, the status of federal tele-prescribing rules, and expected changes at the state and federal levels. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing on Gov. Healey's nomination of Judge Emily Karstetter to join the Superior Court. Karstetter has served as a District Court judge since 2012 and as first justice of the Malden District Court for the last six years. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

HOUSING COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Housing holds a hearing to consider 36 bills dealing with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and other miscellaneous topics. Many of the bills deal with rental aid programs including the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program (H 1488, H 1496, H 1566). A proposal from Sen. Collins of Boston (S 957) calls on EOHLC to craft regulations that would allow landlords to apply for RAFT and other aid programs on behalf of their tenants. Another measure filed by Sen. Feeney of Foxborough (S 988) would task the office with crafting a new plan to assist unaccompanied adults facing homelessness. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

MWRA BOARD: Mass. Water Resources Authority board meets. Agenda calls for an energy and sustainability program overview, a preview of upcoming steps in the Metropolitan Water Tunnel Program, and approval for admission of Lynnfield Center Water District to the MWRA water system, among other items. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., MWRA Administration Facility, Board Room 2C/2D, 2 Griffin Way, Chelsea | Agenda and Access Info)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)

Thursday, July 24, 2025

DCR STEWARDSHIP: Department of Conservation and Recreation Stewardship Council meets remotely. Agenda includes a presentation on the DCR Trails Master Plan and a letter of support for the Mass Ready Act, the governor's proposed five-year environmental borrowing bill. It calls for $764 million in borrowing for upgrades at DCR properties. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

MBTA BOARD MEETS: MBTA Board of Directors meets. (Thursday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Agenda and Livestream)

RODENTICIDE DAY: Falco, a red-tailed hawk from the New England Wildlife Center, will be among the advocates lobbying for legislation (H 965 / S 644) to phase out use of the rat poisons, which remain in a dead or dying animal’s system for days and lead animals that prey on them to become sick and die. Event is hosted by Mass Audubon and MSPCA-Angell. Bill sponsors Rep. Hawkins and Sen. Moore also participate. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)

SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats caucus privately before meeting in a formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)

SENATE FORMAL: Senate meets in a formal session with plans to consider a trio of bills. The legislation up for votes would remove hundreds of instances of outdated and offensive language describing people with disabilities (S 137), striking so-called archaic laws from statute (S 1034) and creating a "blue envelope" program designed to smooth interactions between police and drivers on the autism spectrum (S 2348). (Thursday, 12 p.m., Senate Chamber)

HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission Board meets. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | More Info)

PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds a public hearing on 18 bills. Legislation from Rep. Blais and Sen. Comerford ((H 2571 / S 1650) would establish the Massachusetts Municipal and Public Safety Building Authority, which would administer funding to help with the construction of local public buildings, including police stations, fire stations, and city or town halls; funding would come from part of the revenue generated by marijuana sales. Rep. Vitolo wants to create a special commission (H 2724) tasked with evaluating whether to launch a fund to support public safety and sustainability needs for nonprofit events. Legislation from Reps. Williams and Tyler (H 2732) would create an Executive Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls, an effort to mitigate disproportionate harm to this population, strengthen data collection efforts, and create an alert system focused on Black women and girls. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

SOLAR RENEWABLE TARGET: Department of Energy Resources holds a public hearing on emergency regulations tied to the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program. Officials say the changes are "minor" and "create an end date for eligibility under the current program." (Thursday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Access)

Friday, July 25, 2025

MACE AT POLITICS AND EGGS: Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina is the featured speaker at the latest "Politics and Eggs" forum hosted by the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College. Mace is a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and chairs its Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation. (Friday, 12:30 p.m., 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire)

MASSHEALTH HEARING: MassHealth holds a public hearing on proposed changes to financial requirements. The amendments include eliminating the lock-out period for former MassHealth members with an unpaid premium balance, eliminating premiums for the Children's Medical Security Plan for those under 300% of the federal poverty level, stopping the use of "state intercept" in order to recoup unpaid premiums, and no longer requiring CommonHealth members who are younger than 65 to work or meet a one-time deductible, according to the hearing notice. The proposed changes would take effect no sooner than October. (Friday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Access)

TOXIC, HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Resources holds a remote public hearing on updating the Toxic or Hazardous Substance List. (Friday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: State Affairs and Pluribus News will host a webinar at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 to preview the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit coming to Boston from Aug. 4-6. Pluribus News Editor Reid Wilson and NCSL CEO Tim Storey will unpack key themes to watch. Register here.