People, Power, and Politics

State officials expect a new 200,000-square-foot state crime lab facility to begin construction in early 2026 and begin operations with about 250 employees in early 2028.

FRANKLIN

New
Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar
entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
to view directly. Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has kindly
compiled and and shared the below information. Thanks Steve!

Ironic that the first day it rains in a while, the State announcement on moving to a new level of drought status arrives.

Yes, the outlook for Franklin includes a dry period continuation and potential for a further restriction in outdoor water use as the next couple of months roll towards us. Fortunately, the major growing season is behind us so there should be minimal impact.

On the budget front another shortfall of approx. $271,000 was revealed for the new growth number. How does that happen? There is a quarterly review of incomes and expenses as each budget year progresses. The work of the Board of Assessors showed the shortfall in new growth which may force a further reduction in the current year budget before the tax rate hearing arrives at the end of November, early December.

What does this new reduction mean? The recent trend in new growth coming in lower than previous years is a major concern. New growth is a reflection of the economic development (new housing and commercial buildings, or enhancements, renovations to existing buildings), the downward trend means that the future budget discussions will be that much more important.

The Town needs to seriously consider how to fund necessary services. If it can’t be done with new growth (the downward trend), and we don’t pass an override (only 1 was ever successful), then the definition of ‘necessary’ services will need to be redefined.

The Planning Board is scheduled to meet on Monday with some development proposals on its agenda. The second of the series of tours for the community to view the existing conditions of the Police Station is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 PM. The Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) continues their one meeting a month routine with a session on Thursday.

The Harvest Festival closes out the week on Saturday, Sep 27. Main St will be closed from the triangle through to the Library (at School St) and filled with booths for fun, information, and hopefully very civil conversations on all that is happening in and around Franklin.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 9/19/25, 7:30 PM

Franklin Housing Authority

Monday, September 22 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222025-1914

Planning Board Meeting

Monday, September 22 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09222025-1913

Police Station Open House

Tuesday, September 23 Time: 6:00 PM

No agenda needed for Open House

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, September 23 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232025-1916

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting

Thursday, September 25 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09252025-1892

Franklin School Committee - Comm. Relations Sub Committee

Saturday, September 27 Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09272025-1915

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

The Town Council met on Wednesday, Sep 17. The video and recap is available for replay. The Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer will be available this weekend at Franklin.News

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/09/town-council-welcomed-2-new-pol…

The Conservation Commission met on Thursday. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7geg28FlA

Franklin High School sports were covered with 4 live streamed broadcasts during the past week.

Volleyball match on Monday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL9yaax5idw

Boys soccer on Tuesday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk2IKFBsN-w

Girls soccer on Thursday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmYnyB5hIpA

Football game away at Brockton on Friday -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyPvQ7krFqA

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar 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

MEDWAY

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

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND
The Massachusetts Senate is poised Thursday to pass an omnibus data privacy bill (S 2608) that supporters say will put consumers in charge of their personal information and protect minors from surveillance and targeted advertising. "We in the Senate believe that your data belongs to you, and that's a matter of fact -- your data belongs to you, and you have the right to know where it is and who is seeing it," Senate President Karen Spilka said this week. In the meantime, everyone's waiting for the next spending bill to drop. Senate budget chief Michael Rodrigues said this week that tax collections in fiscal year 2026 are up about 3% so far, with "telling" September collection numbers due out in early October. In fiscal year 2025, tax collections blew past benchmarks by about $2.1 billion, he said. While the Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey have passed numerous fiscal 2025 supplemental spending bills, uses of those excess receipts are supposed to be limited because most of the money is coming from the capital gains tax and the surtax on high earners. "We will be closing the books shortly in the next few weeks on FY '25 when we do the totality of the closeout supplemental budget," Rodrigues said. The week ahead also brings public hearings on the U.S Census and the state's controversial service plaza operations procurement, as well as hearings on bills addressing the state criminal code, police certification and training, economic development, and energy efficiency and pricing. The next chapter in the Deb Goldberg-Shannon O'Brien drama is also being slowly put into motion now that Goldberg has abandoned her legal fight to block O'Brien from returning as Cannabis Control Commission chair and O'Brien looks to begin reintegrating herself at the Worcester-based regulatory agency. On the political front, former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and House and Senate Minority Leaders Brad Jones and Bruce Tarr are set to headline a Boston breakfast fundraiser as Republicans ramp up political strategies with primary elections less than a year away.

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025

HESSAN ON KELLER: Author Diane Hessan joins political analyst Jon Keller's "Keller at Large" weekly talk show. Hessan wrote "Our Common Ground: Insights from Four Years of Listening to American Voters," and will discuss the feedback from the 500 voters she keeps in email contact with about the current political climate, according to Keller. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

MAHANIAH ON NBC: Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Kiame Mahaniah sits down with NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

ENG ON THE RECORD: MBTA General Manager Phil Eng joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV)

REGIONAL TRANSIT CONFERENCE WELCOME: Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities 2025 fall conference holds a welcome reception before kicking off with events on Monday. (Sunday, 5 p.m., Red Jacket Beach Resort & Spa, South Yarmouth | Agenda)

Monday, Sept. 22, 2025

REGIONAL TRANSIT CONFERENCE: Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities 2025 fall conference kicks off its first full day with a conference breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Agenda includes welcoming remarks from Southeastern Regional Transit Authority Administrator Erik Rousseau; MBTA updates from General Manager Eng; and a federal update on reauthorization and a FIFA World Cup update from T Senior Advisor Erika Mazza and Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority Administrator Mary Ellen DeFrias. Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt will give welcome remarks at an 11 a.m. Regional Transit Authority Council meeting, which will include planning updates from the Office of Transportation related to a completed map that shows transit services and potential multimodal connections statewide. Tibbits-Nutt will also give the conference's lunch keynote, which is followed by vendor visits at 2:15 p.m. and some Federal Transit Administration updates at 2:50 p.m. A roundtable about what tariffs mean to RTAs, moderated by Pioneer Valley Transit Authority Administrator Sandra Shehan, is slated for 4 p.m. An evening reception is set for 6 p.m. (Monday, 7:30 a.m., Red Jacket Beach Resort & Spa, South Yarmouth | Agenda)

WU AT BOSTON CHAMBER: Boston Mayor Wu is the featured speaker at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's government affairs forum. She's slated to share her policy priorities with 700 business and community leaders. (Monday, 9:45 a.m., Boston Renaissance Hotel, 606 Congress St., Boston | Register)

ELECTRICIANS BOARD: Board of State Examiners of Electricians meets. Agenda topics include an executive's director report, legal counsel report, Board of Fire Prevention Regulations and legislative matters. Members will also review license applicants and new business licenses that have been issued. (Monday, 10 a.m. |Agenda and Livestream)

HAVERHILL LEAD REMOVAL: Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett, Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Margaret Marotta, Community Action Inc. CEO Kerri Perry, and Haverhill YMCA Regional Executive Director Tracy Fuller gather to celebrate Haverhill's Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Program. The program, which received $2.4 million in federal funding last year, offers financial assistance for the de-leading of pre-1978 housing occupied by low-to-moderate income households, according to Trahan's office. A Trahan press release said the event will feature remarks from a Haverhill resident whose granddaughter had an elevated blood lead level beyond the threshold for lead poisoning, and whose home will go through the de-leading process beginning Monday. Members of the press are asked to RSVP to Trahan.Press@mail.house.gov. (Monday, 10 a.m., Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS: The Senate Committee on the Census meets. The panel plans to hear from local officials as well as John Rosenberry, legislative director in Secretary of State Galvin's office, and UMass Donahue Institute Population Estimates Program Senior Program Manager Susan Strate. The seven-member committee is chaired by Sen. Will Brownsberger, who led the last round of Senate redistricting efforts. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Room B-1 | Agenda and Access Info

"FACES OF THE VACCINE INJURY" EVENT: Advocacy groups Health Rights MA and Children's Health Defense New England Chapter host an event called "The Faces of the Vaccine Injury Massachusetts." Organizers say the event will feature "personal stories of Massachusetts residents who have suffered adverse health impacts following the Covid-19 or other vaccines" and "stories of major personal and professional setbacks — such as being fired from jobs — due to mandates." Republican Sen. Durant and Reps. Thurber and Gaskey are sponsoring the event with the advocacy groups. According to their websites, Health Rights MA is a group with the "goal of reaffirming and protecting the rights of people of Massachusetts to make decisions about their own bodies through proactive health freedom legislation," while Children's Health Defense is a nonprofit with a mission to end "childhood health epidemics by eliminating toxic exposure." (Monday, 11 a.m., Nurses Hall)

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

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

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities holds a hearing on about a dozen bills related to accessibility. Among them is S 124 / H 203 from Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Barber, which would establish a state-level framework to operate alongside the federal Protection and Advocacy system which investigates abuse, neglect and financial exploitation and provides advocacy for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. Also on the agenda is S 130 / H 223 from Sen. Friedman and Rep. Domb, which would require the state to increase its rate of reimbursement for human services providers over four years to reduce and eliminate the pay disparity between human services workers employed directly by the state and those employed by agencies that the state contracts. (Monday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

VETERANS QUALITY OF LIFE: Veterans Quality of Life Commission holds a virtual public meeting. (Monday, 1 p.m. | Agenda & Access)

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Service holds a hearing on dozens of bills dealing with retirement and public employee benefits, as well as the portions of Gov. Healey's so-called Municipal Empowerment bill that would establish a process for municipalities and executive departments to apply for a "critical shortage" exemption from certain post-retirement limitations on employment for specific job titles or classes until 2028. The administration said the proposal is "a direct response to concerns raised by municipal leaders during the Administration’s listening sessions about critical local staffing shortages." (Monday, 1 p.m., Healring Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)

DATA PRIVACY AMENDMENT DEADLINE: Monday marks the deadline for senators to submit their amendments to a bill (S 2608) the chamber is slated to take up Thursday addressing data privacy in Massachusetts. (Monday, 2:30 p.m.)

SHORTSLEEVE IN WORCESTER: GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve holds a meet and greet in Worcester. (Monday, 6 p.m., 92 Shrewsbury St., Worcester | More Info)

TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL CLOSED: The I-90 eastbound Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston closes until 5 a.m. to allow MassDOT to complete milling and paving work. Drivers will be detoured through the I-93 north tunnel to the Storrow Drive exit, where they can U-turn to access the Callahan Tunnel via I-93 south. Heavy vehicles will be detoured to the Tobin Bridge to access Route 1A via Route 16. (Monday, 11:30 p.m., Mass. Pike eastbound, Boston)

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025

REGIONAL TRANSIT DAY TWO: Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities (MARTA) 2025 fall conference enters day two with a conference breakfast and vendor visits. MARTA's annual meeting and elections will be held at 9:45 a.m., followed by a roundtable discussion covering a 2025 "Triennial Debrief" and 2026 "Prep." An administrator session takes place at 10:05 a.m. before lunch ends the conference. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., Red Jacket Beach Resort & Spa, South Yarmouth | Agenda)

INDEPENDENT LIVING: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind holds a public hearing on its proposed Comprehensive Annual Independent Living Social Services Plan. The plan would be in effect from Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Access)

HAZARDOUS CODE COMMITTEE: Department of Fire Services' Hazardous Code Committee holds a virtual public meeting. Agenda includes a review of new language from the most recent national fire code standards and recommendations from the Administrative Committee. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda & Access)

PROTESTING HEALTH CARE FOR HOMELESS CUTS/CLOSURES: Health care workers and community and union allies hold a rally to protest what 1199 SEIU organizers describe as "severe layoffs and program closures, including major cuts to recovery programs and the closure of a Jamaica Plain medical respite facility" at nonprofit Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. The organization recently announced that it would lay off 25 workers effective Oct. 10 and close the Stacy Kirkpatrick House, a 20-bed medical respite facility for patients experiencing homelessness to recuperate after being in a hospital when they are still too sick to stay in a traditional shelter. The cuts are necessary to prepare for anticipated federal changes to Medicaid and other policies, the Boston Globe reported. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, 780 Albany St., Boston)

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hearing on more than 50 bills related to "Crimes II." The bills attempt to address a range of topics, including violent crimes, human trafficking and victims of stalking. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., A-2 | Agenda & Livestream)

PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS: Division of Insurance holds an information session on establishing licensure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers, as officials implement the 2025 prescription drug reform law. All PBMs operating in Massachusetts must be licensed on and after Jan. 1, and PBMs must submit applications for initial licensure by Oct. 15, according to a new DOI bulletin. Initial licensure will last for one year and comes with a nonrefundable filing fee of $8,334. Subsequent licensure applications, which will grant licenses for a three-year period, comes with a nonrefundable fee of $25,000. (Tuesday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Access)

TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL CLOSED: The I-90 eastbound Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston closes until 5 a.m. to allow MassDOT to complete milling and paving work. (Tuesday, 11:30 p.m., Mass. Pike eastbound, Boston)

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

BOSTON AT A CROSSROADS: State House News Service and MASSterList host a policy event called "Boston @ The Crossroads: Challenges and opportunities in an evolving economy." Downtown Boston Alliance President Michael Nichols gives opening remarks. Boston Globe reporter Jon Chesto moderates a panel discussion between Eastern Bank Executive Chair Bob Rivers; Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University Executive Director Evan Horowitz; former Boston City Councilor and current downtown Boston business owner Tito Jackson; and Back Bay Association President Meg Mainzer-Cohen. The conversation is expected to surround the "strategy and vision" for Boston's future as "the vitality of its downtown business district, drained by the COVID-19 epidemic, continues to slowly rebound but has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels" and commercial property values have declined, according to event coordinators. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., MCLE Conference Center, Winter Place, Boston | More Info & Register)

GOP BREAKFAST BRIEFING: Former Lt. Gov. Polito, House Minority Leader Jones and Senate Minority Leader Tarr headline a breakfast briefing and fundraiser for the Mass. Republican Party. Coffee is served at 8 a.m. for host committee members (those who give and/or raise at least $5,000) and the breakfast briefing gets underway at 8:30 a.m. for those who give at least $250. RSVP to finance@massgop.com. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St., Boston)

ELECTRICAL CODE ADVISORY: Massachusetts Electrical Code Advisory Committee of the Department of Fire Services holds a public meeting. Agenda items include code change proposals for the National Electrical Code 2026 review. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Classroom 117, Department of Fire Services, 1 State Road, Stow | Agenda)

BUILT TO LEAD: A Better City hosts a virtual panel with member companies to talk about strategies to decarbonize existing buildings. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Fort Point Room, 290 Congress St., Boston | Register)

FUTURE OF MEDICINE: Boston Globe holds its annual Future of Medicine Summit, which explores medical innovations. The day kicks off with a fireside chat featuring David Liu, winner of the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Panel discussions will explore aging, "the new face of cancer," and the next generation of health "changemakers." There's also a fireside chat with Dr. Jeremy Faust, an ER physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, 77 Ave. Louis Pasteur, Boston |Register)

PSYCHIATRIST DAY: Senate President Spilka, Sen. Friedman and Reps. Decker and Schwartz speak as the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society holds a resident and early career psychiatrist advocacy day. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 428)

ENERGY OUTLOOK: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a free webinar with natural gas and electricity supplier Constellation, which will include a discussion on the energy landscape for cities and towns. Constellation's team that is focused on electric vehicle charging will discuss how municipalities can offer EV charging and track data to guide future electrification initiatives. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

HIGHWAY PLAZA CONTRACT PROCUREMENT OVERSIGHT: Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee holds an oversight hearing on the procurement practices used by the Department of Transportation to award a long-term contract to Applegreen for the revitalization and operation of highway service plazas. Rival bidder Global Partners believes its bid should have been chosen and has mounted a vigorous campaign to undo the decision. "Given the long-term nature of this agreement, the significant public resources involved, and very legitimate concerns raised, this committee will demand nothing less than full transparency from direct stakeholders," committee chair Sen. Mark Montigny said Sept. 15. "All too often complaints regarding opaque procurement practices and behind-the-scenes relationships are swept aside and buried underneath the plethora of government bureaucracy. The committee will pursue all available means to ensure that the department’s process adheres to the highest levels of transparency and accountability. In the meantime, the department should immediately cease contracting activities as requested by the committee." Montigny's office said the committee on July 28 issued a letter to Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt requesting information and documents pertaining to the procurement and MassDOT subsequently requested an extension to respond, which the committee granted along with a "demand to pause contracting activities, pending the committee’s investigation." (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room 222 | More Info and Access)

SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a caucus ahead of a Thursday formal session. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Senate president's office and virtual)

CLIMATE EMERGENCIES: Red Cross of Massachusetts and the chairs of the Emergency Preparedness and Management Committee, Sen. Cronin and Rep. Ultrino, host a panel discussion of climate-related emergencies faced by the Massachusetts communities. Experts will highlight the impact of these increasing events, how communities can prepare, and how state agencies and organizations are preparing to respond to these crises. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room 428)

STATE OF HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts "Transportation First: State of the Highways and Bridges." The free, hybrid discussion about the work of the Massachusetts Highway Division is meant to "highlight the innovations and challenges shaping the future of mobility in the region and how it impacts economic development, public safety, and sustainability," according to organizers. Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver is slated to give insights on priorities, upcoming projects and the division's "strategic vision." Greater Boston Chamber President and CEO Jim Rooney will lead a conversation between Gulliver and Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Diana Szynal following Gulliver's initial address. (Wednesday, 2:45 p.m., Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, 265 Franklin Street, Suite 1701, Boston | More Info & Register)

OPERATIONAL SERVICES: Town of Barnstable and the Operational Services Division holds an event for businesses that are interested in becoming government vendors and contractors. Attendees will be able to learn directly from state and municipal organizations. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Barnstable High School Library, 744 W. Main St., Hyannis | Register)

TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL CLOSED: The I-90 eastbound Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston closes until 5 a.m. to allow MassDOT to complete milling and paving work. (Wednesday, 11:30 p.m., Mass. Pike eastbound, Boston)

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS: Board of Allied Professions meets. Agenda includes a quarterly report on the Unified Recovery and Monitoring Program for health care workers grappling with substance use disorder and other mental health conditions. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

MED BOARD: Board of Registration in Medicine meets and discusses licensing fee changes. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

SENATE: Senate meets in a formal session to debate a data privacy bill (S 2608) that Senate President Spilka said will "end the Wild West of data collection in Massachusetts." The legislation would place restrictions on the type of data companies can collect, block the sale of personal sensitive data, and protect minors from targeted advertising. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Agenda)

HOUSE: House is expected to meet. (Thursday, Time TBD)

LATINO EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus hosts "Latino Excellence on The Hill," an event honoring and awarding Latino community leaders who are making a positive difference around the state. Speakers include Caucus Chair Rep. Vargas, Caucus Executive Director Tomás O’Brien, Sens. Eldridge and Gomez, and House Majority Leader Moran. La Colaborativa Executive Director Gladys Vega will give a keynote speech, food will be provided from Pedro's Street Food Truck, and Emmy-nominated composer Fabiola Méndez will perform. Media: Contact O’Brien at Tomas.OBrien@mahouse.gov to confirm attendance. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)

ANTISEMITISM COMMISSION: Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism holds a public comment meeting. Public comment will be limited to 2 minutes per person or 4 minutes per panel (max three people per panel). (Thursday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Access Info)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies holds a hearing on a variety of bills, including one from Foxborough Sen. Feeney to revise the flow of parking fees in Sharon, Walpole and Wrentham to fund a new "Route 1 Stadium Area Economic Development and Infrastructure Fund" (S 299). House Minority Leader Jones's bill (H 487) to launch a study of the financial relationship between Massachusetts entities and companies owned by the Chinese government is also on the docket. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Hearing Room A-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

BUILD COMMUNITY, END LONELINESS: Senate President Spilka speaks at the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness' lobby day, ahead of the organization's observation of "Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day of Action" from Friday through Sunday. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Room 428)

FLOOD PROTECTION: Boston holds "Deployables Day," designed as a citywide training exercise on temporary floor protection. Attendees can experience deployable flood barriers and learn about the city's flood protection efforts. The event runs through 3 p.m., and there will also be a downtown walking tour of deployables at 12 p.m. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info)

UMASS MEMORIAL LANGUAGE SERVICES: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar exploring how UMass Memorial has integrated language services into the Epic medical record platform. "This integration puts on-demand interpretation inside the charting application clinicians use every day, streamlining workflows and enhancing care for diverse populations—so providers can focus fully on patient care," organizers say. (Thursday, 12 p.m. |Register)

UTILITIES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy holds a hearing on energy efficiency and energy pricing bills. On the agenda is a resolve (S 2305) from Sen. Montigny to create a special commission to study the costs of electricity delivery in Massachusetts. Sen. Barrett has a proposal (S 2233) to require the executive branch to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of participation in "multi-state or North American regional market-based compliance mechanisms, structures, or systems, including but not limited to the Western Climate Initiative." That effort could come as state officials reevaluate the Bay State's climate plans and strategies. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

IT HARDWARE: Operational Services Division holds a webinar to help buyers navigate a statewide contract for IT hardware and services. The event includes a live purchasing demo. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | Register)

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds a hearing on legislation dealing with law enforcement. Rep. Day has a bill (H 2582) that would declare anyone who would be ineligible for certification as a police officer "were it not for a presidential or gubernatorial pardon shall remain ineligible for certification or re-certification." Rep. Rogers of Cambridge proposes stricter oversight, transparency and regulation around handling personal and protected data in criminal intelligence systems in a bill (H 2687) focused on "protecting Massachusetts residents against federal government surveillance." (Thursday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)

FOOD SECURITY POLICY WEBINAR: Project Bread and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute host a free public webinar to explain the upcoming federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and "their serious implications for families across the Commonwealth," according to organizers. Project Bread Director of Public Policy Leran Minc and MLRI Senior Policy Advocate Pat Baker will lead the webinar and are expected to break down proposed changes to SNAP and expected impacts throughout Massachusetts. One in six Massachusetts residents receive SNAP benefits, according to the Department of Transitional Assistance. The One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump in July overhauls SNAP, including potentially impacting 40,000 adults in Greater Boston and disqualifying roughly 10,000 legally present immigrants across Massachusetts who utilize the program. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Register)

USING IMAGES STRATEGICALLY: Massachusetts Digital Service, within the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, hosts the first in a three-part series of virtual sessions called "Using Images Strategically." Individuals from the customer experience and media teams are slated to help address what makes images effective as content, when it's best to use images, and what content types and CMS components support images, according to the department. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | More Info & Register)

CAPE BRIDGES OPEN HOUSE: MassDOT holds an open house about the Cape Cod bridges project, meant to discuss the recent draft environmental impact report for the proposed replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. MassDOT filed the report in early September. The dual-bridge replacement is estimated to cost more than $4.5 billion and begin with the replacement of the Sagamore Bridge, for which all of the funding has been secured. Massachusetts has committed $700 million in state funding to the project, secured more than $1 billion in federal funds, and is expecting more from various federal avenues. MassDOT on Thursday will provide information about the report, the public review and comment process, and next steps, according to an agency flyer. (Thursday, 3 p.m., Bourne Veteran's Memorial Community Center, Buzzards Bay | More Info)

HIGHER ED: Department of Higher Education's Student Advisory Council meets. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | More Info)

GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to meet. (Thursday, More Info TBA)

Friday, Sept. 26, 2025

MUNI COUNCILLORS: Massachusetts Municipal Councillors' Association holds a regional breakfast. Kristina Johnson, Hudson's planning and economic development director, presents on "recent successes and challenges in economic development, zoning, and housing," organizers say. All city and town councilors are invited. (Friday, 8 a.m., Marlborough Public Library, 35 W. Main St., Marlborough | Register)

MMA LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a legislative breakfast in Lee. Staff will discuss new laws and pending bills, including the Chapter 90 bond law, supplemental spending packages, the environmental bond bill, and clean energy siting and permitting, among others. Members are asked to register. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Lee Library, 100 Main St., Lee | Register)

LIFE SCIENCES: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's board of directors meets. (Friday, 9 a.m., MLSC office, 1075 Main St., Suite 100, Waltham | More Info)

HAZMAT WORK GROUP: Department of Fire Services' Hazmat Work Group holds a virtual meeting. (Friday, 9 a.m. | Access)

RECOVERY SUMMIT: Sen. Robyn Kennedy and Rep. Jim O'Day are among those expected to attend as Veterans Inc. holds its fourth recovery summit to bring together clinicians, social workers, policymakers, and those in recovery to celebrate their recovery, discuss important and current topics in recovery, and share resources. Members of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and a delegation from western Mass. are also slated to attend. (Friday, 10 a.m., Independence Hall, 59 South St., Shrewsbury)

PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS: Division of Insurance holds its second information session of the week focusing on establishing licensure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers. Under the 2025 prescription drug reform laws, PBMs must be licensed next year in order to operate in Massachusetts. (Friday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Access)

SERVICE DOG FUNDRAISER: Rep. Ferguson of Holden is the keynote speaker as Princeton-based NEADS World Class Service Dogs holds its annual Get Dressed, Give Back fundraiser. (Friday, 7 p.m., Exchange Conference Center, 212 Northern Ave., Boston)