People, Power, and Politics

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The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is once again cashing in on fines from sportsbooks. Commissioners voted Thursday to fine Fanatics $20,000 over illegal wagering on a non-tournament Boston College football game against Michigan State University. The recommendation came from the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, who commissioners assigned to investigate the violation in January.  State law in Massachusetts prohibits betting on in-state college teams during the regular season. Betting on in-state college teams is only allowed if they are participating in a tournament with four or more teams.

FRANKLIN

New website no longer supports cut-and-paste. We are grateful to Steve Sherlock/Franklin Matters for sharing his summary of last week and outlook for the week ahead:

The tax rate hearing (Weds 12/3/25) officially tied the knot on the FY 2026 budget which means the FY 2027 budget is underway.

A full slate of meetings for this week. Respectfully, the key ones will be the School Committee on Tuesday, Finance Committee Wednesday and the Conservation Commission on Thursday.

The new School Committee gets into full gear with 2 subcommittee (Budget & Policy) meeting at 6 PM before the full committee meets at 7 PM. A first look at the budget and their capital wish list is among the items on the agenda

The Finance Committee on Wednesday gets to the deep dive on Technology (finally). This should be of real interest to the new Council members as the Technology Department services both Town and School operations. Some think because it is in the School budget it only does that. Akin to the Facilities Dept, on the Town side, the Facilities Dept provides support to both Town and School buildings in a joint and cooperative arrangement.

The Conservation Commission ended up postponing their meeting last Thursday as they were unable to address the 444 East Central proposal. The 444 project team was fully engaged with the ZBA in their session on the same evening. While the ZBA meeting started at 6, it didn’t complete until 10 PM.

Assuming that the Conservation Commission can complete what it needs to do this week; then the Zoning Board of Appeals can meet on Dec 23 to make their decision on the project approval or rejection, including a decision on however many variances are required. Then the timeline to write up the decision and to file within the legal time line (40 days after close of public hearing) should be able to be met.

You’ll have time to stop by the Senior Center on Thursday to take part in the Winter Wonderland festivities from 4:30 to 7 PM before joining the Conservation meeting.

And remember to join the Wreath of Franklin festivities all around downtown and the multiple pop up shows located at THE BLACK BOX on Saturday, Dec 13.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 12/05/25, 6:30 PM ***

Housing Authority

December 8, 2025, 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12082025-2036

Franklin School Committee - Budget Subcommittee

December 9, 2025, 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2047

Franklin School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting

December 9, 2025, 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2046

Design Review Meeting-CANCELED

December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM

Franklin School Committee

December 9, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092025-2043

Finance Committee Meeting

December 10, 2025, 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102025-2039

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Meetings (Canceled)

December 11, 2025, 2:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11132025-2004

Charles River Pollution Control Meeting

December 11, 2025, 3:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12112025-2040

Conservation Commission Meeting

December 11, 2025, 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/536?fileID=6995

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

The Board of Health meeting on Wednesday discussed adjustments to Franklin’s tobacco regulations to bring them up to current State standard. The vote to approve what has been discussed is scheduled for their January 2026 meeting. Exclusive recording and recap of the meeting is available at Franklin.News. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/12/board-of-health-reviews-changes-to.html

At Wednesday’s Town Council meeting, the tax rate hearing came second on the agenda due to a disconnect between the Council agenda showing it at 7 and the public hearing announcements calling for it at 6 PM. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen walked the Council through the 5 year revenue forecast in the meantime.

The tax rate was approved as a single rate however, there is more interest this time around from the Council newbies for a split tax rate and some councilors were complaining about their lack of readiness for this discussion. Plans for a workshop and additional discussions are underway before the next tax rate hearing currently set for Dec 2, 2026.

The Conservation Commission met only briefly on Thursday as much of what they wanted to do required the 444 East Central project team which was tied up in the ZBA meeting that started earlier but continued to 10 PM before concluding. The Conservation meeting was rescheduled to Dec 11.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting spent most of their 4 hours reviewing the draft approval letter for the 444 East Central Project. The last part provided a recap of what was discussed in the first 2 sections of the document. There was an issue with admitting the public participants so the recap was needed to let them know what they had missed. Assuming the ConComm does complete their work at the mentioned Dec 11 meeting, then the ZBA should be inline to complete their discussion and decide at their meeting Dec 23 at 6:30 PM.

An incident report is being prepared jointly with Town Administration and Franklin TV to explain what happened to the Town Council meeting video (it was only available to cable subscribers as audio) and the snafu with the ZBA public admittance process.

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

New website no longer supports cut-and-paste; visit medwayma.gov

STATEHOUSE and BEYOND

Estimates of property tax increases in Boston are resurfacing debate over whether to meddle in the balance between residential and commercial tax burdens. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu last session twice partnered with the Massachusetts House on efforts to mitigate residential tax increases by temporarily shifting burdens to commercial payers, but the Senate rejected her plan in 2024 and this year has blocked the city's home rule petition from even getting sent to a committee for a public hearing. The Senate on Monday has another opportunity to move the bill to a committee but top Senate Democrats haven't signaled that they will and have also publicly panned the measure. "The Chair looks forward to the legislation being referred to committee so that the legislative process can begin," Boston Democrat and House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz told the News Service Friday. He made need to wait a little longer. The bill is not on Monday's tentative Senate agenda that was posted late Friday.

Legislative committees in general have slowed their pace during the holiday season recess, as have the House and Senate. Branch leaders have so far passed on an opportunity to send competing cannabis reform bills to a conference committee to start negotiations on a consensus bill. The 2016 marijuana voter law envisioned places where people could buy and consume marijuana and more than nine years later regulators, who have a meeting on Thursday, are still considering the idea. In between holiday parties and seasonal activities, there are some other anchor events in the week ahead, including a gathering of top state transportation officials, an address by Treasurer Deborah Goldberg to business leaders, and a state council's consideration of a $54 million project to expand cancer care in Marlborough. A commission exploring the increasing presence of the dangerous animal sedative in the state's illicit drug supply plans to meet on Monday. Another commission looking into behavioral health plans to receive a presentation on Thursday about AI companions in mental health. The Board of Higher Education is holding a hearing Friday on a regulatory change that could pave the way to three-year bachelor's degrees that are below the standard 120-credit requirement.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

SHORTSLEEVE HOLIDAY BREAKFAST: Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve hosts a free holiday breakfast.(Saturday, 8 a.m., Ramada 213 Taunton Ave., Seekonk)

NATIONAL CLOTHING SWAP DAY: Zero waste advocates host a clothing swap as part of Environment America and U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s recently-launched National Clothing Swap Day. Swappers can exchange clothing in good condition. Organizers say the U.S. produces 25% more waste during the holiday season than any other time. (Saturday, 11 a.m., La Saison Bakery 221 Main St., Charlestown)

MASSART COMMON GOOD AWARDS: Massachusetts College of Art and Design hosts the 2025 Common Good Awards celebrating those who “demonstrate the transformative impact of the arts on civic life,” according to organizers. Honorees are: Kris Moran, Sarah Richards, Tracy Silva Barbosa, Kate Gilbert, Lisa and Alison Simmons and Marquis Victor. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is expected to attend. The event is free and open to the public but tickets are required. (Saturday, 12 p.m., MassArt Design and Media Center 621 Huntington Ave, Boston | Tickets)

PRESSLEY AT FLORIDA FESTIVAL: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley goes to Florida to headline Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost’s MadSoul Music & Arts Festival, according to organizers. The event is meant to bridge the gap between music and political advocacy. Pressley is scheduled to discuss how to boost progressive power and address the Trump Administration’s “extremist, authoritarian attacks on workers, families, and our democracy” at about 6 p.m. Other national elected and community leaders, including SEIU President April Verrett, plan to attend. Press and public are asked to RSVP. Tickets are free for community members or for sale starting at $10 for those who want to donate to Frost’s organizing. (Saturday, 3 p.m., Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando | Tickets and More Info)

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

KENNEALEY ON 5: WBZ-TV runs an encore edition of political analyst Jon Keller's "Keller at Large" with GOP candidate for governor Mike Kennealey. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

KEATING ON NBC: U.S. Rep. Bill Keating sits down with NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard for the station's weekly "@ Issue Sit Down." (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

MINOGUE ON THE RECORD: GOP candidate for governor Michael Minogue joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

DANCE RECITAL: Amudhasri Dance School Annual Recital holds its annual recital, and Auditor DiZoglio gives remarks. (Sunday, 3:30 p.m., 299 Highland St., Worcester)

QUINCY GENERALS BRIDGE & PARK TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Quincy hosts its annual Generals Bridge & Park Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event celebrates the holiday season and honors active-duty military members and veterans. The tree is decorated with a yellow ribbon bearing names of service members from Quincy. Families and friends are encouraged to write the names of loved ones who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. (Sunday, 5 p.m., Generals Bridge & Park, Dunford Drive & McConville Way, Quincy)

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Health accepts written testimony on two bills through 5 p.m. One bill (H 4686) would establish a commission to research topical steroid addiction and Topical Withdrawal Syndrome. The other (H 586) would require a school district to provide student parents or guardians with written information about type 1 diabetes. Testimony can be emailed to JointCommittee.PublicHealth@malegislature.gov and Matthew.Murphy@masenate.gov or mailed to the House Committee Chair, Rep. Decker.(Monday, 9 a.m., Remote)

RECREATIONAL TRAMWAY BOARD: Recreational Tramway Board meets. Members will review and vote on annual license applications from Eaglebrook School, Fresh Powder, Blue Hills Ski Area, Ski Butternut and Wachusett Mountain. (Monday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda / Livestream)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS: Senate Committee on the Census holds hybrid informational hearing about patterns of undercounts and overcounts in the census. The agenda includes informational presentations and Q&As from Joseph Salvo, senior advisor for the National Conference on Citizenship, and Susan Strate, senior manager of the UMass Donahue Institute’s Population Estimates Program. Jordan Berg Powers, former executive director of Mass Alliance was also invited to speak. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., B-1)

MUNI POLICE: Municipal Police Training Committee's Police Standards Subcommittee hears an appeal of former instructor Aaron Fitzpatrick on his revoked certification. (Monday, 10 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Drive, Randolph | More Info)

COLONIAL NAVY BAND: The Colonial Navy Band performs as part of a recognition ceremony. (Monday, 10 a.m., Great Hall and Grand Staircase)

VICTIM ASSISTANCE: Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance holds a public hearing tied to a regulatory change for financial compensation for victims of violent crime. The change updates MOVA's administrative authority based on the fiscal 2026 budget. Written testimony must be submitted by 5 p.m. (Monday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council's Equity Working Group meets. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Access)

MUNI POLICE: Municipal Police Training Committee's Police Standards Subcommittee hears an appeal on the dismissal of Student Officer Burke Cushman from the Randolph Police Academy. (Monday, 11 a.m., 42 Thomas Patten Drive, Randolph | More Info)

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

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. Boston's time-sensitive home rule petition designed to mitigate residential property tax increase was assigned March 20 by the House to the Revenue Committee but the Senate has not entertained the usually routine committee referral, leaving the bill in a procedural limbo and unable to advance to a public hearing. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Calendar TBA)

HARVARD CUSTODIANS RALLY: The custodians who maintain dorms, classrooms, administrative buildings and other facilities at Harvard University rally at Harvard Yard, joined by student and faculty supporters. They are asking for wage increases. About 800 custodians at Harvard are members of 32BJ SEIU, with some employed directly by the university and others employed by third-party contractors. (Monday, noon, Harvard Yard, 2 Kirkland St., Cambridge)

BOSTON WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu holds a press conference with city officials to outline Boston’s plans for winter storms and available resources for residents. Public works leaders will detail snow-clearing capacity and salt supplies as temperatures drop. (Monday, 12 p.m., Boston Public Works, 400 Frontage Rd., Livestream)

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY SCHOOL: Students from Oliver Hazard Perry School in South Boston perform at the State House as part of Secretary Galvin's Holiday Concert Series. (Monday, 12 p.m., Grand Staircase)

MASSTRANSFER STEERING COMMITTEE: MassTransfer Steering Committee meets to discuss how to make it easier for students to transfer between Massachusetts public colleges and universities. Members from campuses, businesses and student groups will discuss ways to help students keep their credits and stay on track to graduate. (Monday, 1 p.m., Zoom)

PRESSLEY ON HOUSING & ALLSTON RAID: Rep. Ayanna Pressley holds a roundtable and press conference to address federal spending cuts she says could worsen homelessness, followed by a meeting with families affected by last month’s Immigration Customs Enforcement raid at an Allston car wash. Housing providers and local officials will join the first event, with immigrant-advocacy groups participating in the second. (Monday, 1 p.m. in Boston; 4 p.m. in Allston, Addresses available upon RSVP)

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

GOLDBERG AT CHAMBER: Treasurer Goldberg is the featured speaker at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce government affairs forum. She'll deliver a keynote speech and sit down for a Q&A with the Chamber's President & CEO Jim Rooney. (Tuesday, 9:45 a.m., Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, 265 Franklin Street, Boston)

BUILDING STANDARDS, REGS: Board of Building Standards and Regulations meets. Agenda includes a report from subcommittees, an executive director report and a discussion and vote on code change proposals. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

MATERNAL HEALTH TASK FORCE MEETING: Maternal Health Access and Birthing Patient Safety Task Force meets. The task force is co-chaired by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and the Department of Public Health. HPC staff will present themes from interviews with maternal health stakeholders, including the impacts of recent maternity closures on patients, providers, emergency medicine personnel and community organizations. Members will also discuss the challenges freestanding birth centers face and next steps for the final report. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Livestream)

MERIT RATING BOARD: MassDOT's Merit Rating Board meets. Agenda includes an update from Director Sonja Singleton, and an update from Michael Powers from the Division of Insurance on written warnings. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

FIRE PREVENTION: Fire Prevention Regulations Appeals Board meets and hears a case involving a Cambridge property. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

FRAMINGHAM DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Framingham Advisory Board meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m.|Agenda and Access)

CRIMINAL RECORD REVIEW: Criminal Record Review Board meets. Members will go into executive session to review "complaints alleging improper access to, and dissemination of, CORI and/or CORI regulatory violations," according to the meeting notice. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

RTA COUNCIL: MassDOT's RTA Council meets. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info)

HOUSE ETHICS TRAINING: House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement holds a mandatory ethics training for all House staff members. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)

ENERGY RESOURCES AWARDS: Department of Energy Resources hosts its annual Leading By Example Recognition Awards ceremony. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)

BRIEFING ON PILOT PROGRAM FOR HIGH RISK MOTHERS: Maria Mossaides, director of the state Office of the Child Advocate, joins leaders of Roca, an organization focused on helping young people heal from trauma, for a legislative briefing on the Young Mothers Experiencing Acute Trauma pilot program. The program, funded by the Legislature since fiscal 2024, offers several resources for 300 of the highest-risk young mothers each year, according to Roca. The resources include a non-clinical version of cognitive behavioral therapy, workforce readiness training and more direct services. Organizers say the program has allowed Roca to address the needs of young mothers facing both acute trauma and responsibilities of parenthood. The briefing will include an overview of the program as well as findings and comprehensive data from the first two years of the program from Roca’s partner, Tufts Interdisciplinary Evaluation Research. Mossaides, two young mothers who have gone through Roca’s program, Sen. Brendan Crighton will give remarks. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 428)

LGBT AGING COMMISSION: Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging hosts its quarterly meeting. The commission is tasked with assessing and studying health, housing, financial, psychosocial and long-term care needs of older LGBTQ adults and their caregivers. Attendees are asked to register in advance. After registering attendees will receive an email with information about joining the meeting. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., | Registration)

CLIMATE, CLEAN ENERGY: Strategic communications firm 90 West holds a virtual media briefing on climate and clean energy, focused on energy cost drivers as winter approaches. Speakers include Kiera Alventosa of GreenRoots, Amy Boyd Rabin of Environmental League of Massachusetts, Larry Chretien of Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Cindy Luppi of Clean Water Action, Kyle Murray of the Acadia Center, Caitlin Peale Sloan of the Conservation Law Foundation, Jack Shapiro of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Tim Snyder of The Alliance for Climate Transition. To RSVP, contact stacia@ninetywest.com. (Tuesday, 11 a.m.)

ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE TEAMS: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a members-only webinar about "alternative response" teams, which are unarmed community resource programs that offer behavioral health support and resources. Representatives from Lynn, Cambridge and Amherst will discuss their programs. (Tuesday, 12 p.m.| Register)

AUTISM COMMISSION: Autism Commission meets. For access, contact Carol.M.Gracia@mass.gov. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | More Info)

Q3 CORE PLAN: The Q3 CORE Plan Statutory Committee meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the committee. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Zoom)

BROCKTON DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Brockton Advisory Board meets. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

SEN. O’CONNOR FUNDRAISER: Sen. Patrick O’Connor hosts a holiday party and campaign fundraiser. There will be appetizers and a cash bar. Campaign donations are not required to attend. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Grille 151 American Kitchen & Cocktails 151 Main St., Weymouth)

MASSDOT MCGRATH HIGHWAY: MassDOT holds a public hearing on the proposed reconstruction project of McGrath Highway (Route 28) between Broadway in Somerville and Third Street in Cambridge. The design involves removing the McCarthy Overpass and replacing it "with a surface boulevard-style roadway with at-grade signalized intersections," officials say. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. | Register)

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council meets on the heels of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel meeting. Agenda includes an update from Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. The council plans to vote on a Determination of Need request from UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. for a substantial change in service. UMMH wants to offer proton therapy for cancer patients and expand the building that houses its Cancer Center on the Marlborough Hospital campus. The application says proton therapy is a "highly effective and proven cancer treatment that improves the precision of radiation in targeting tumors and reduces potential damage to healthy tissue in the body." The project is estimated to cost nearly $54 million. The council will also vote on promulgating regulations tied to licensing radiologic technologists and certified medication aides in long-term care facilities. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

AGRICULTURE BOARD: Board of Agriculture meets. Agenda includes a discussion on invasive plants and insects, and legislative updates. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 225 Turnpike Road, Southborough | Agenda and Livestream)

WOMEN ELECTED MUNI OFFICIALS: Women Elected Municipal Officials hold a virtual mentorship program. Attendees will discuss their communities' fiscal pressures, innovative solutions to address those challenges, and how they're communicating with residents about budget issues. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Register)

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA: Wreaths Across America holds a ceremony to honor veterans. The organization will mark National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 13, with more than 2 million volunteers expected at over 5,200 participating locations across the country, at sea and abroad. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)

MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING: Mass Cultural Council’s governing board will hold a special meeting to discuss the agency’s leadership transition with executive director Michael Bobbitt stepping down at the end of the month. The agenda includes an appointment of David Slatery as acting executive director as of Jan. 1, 2026. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Virtual | Agenda and Livestream)

HARRINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Students from Harrington Elementary School in Chelmsford perform at the State House as part of Secretary Galvin's Holiday Concert Series. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase)

DOR OFFSHORE WIND HEARING: Department of Revenue holds a public hearing on proposed regulations dealing with tax credits included in the Offshore Wind Industry Investment Program and that will be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Proposed regulations outline how to calculate the offshore wind jobs credit for businesses that commit to creating at least 50 new full-time jobs in the commonwealth that are supporting offshore wind turbine projects. The regulations also address calculating the offshore wind capital investment credit. The 2024 economic development law established new offshore wind tax credits to bolster the industry, which is struggling due to opposition from the Trump administration. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

TARIFF IMPACTS WEBINAR: Massachusetts Small Business Development Center hosts a webinar titled “Government Contractors and Tariff Challenges: Strategies for Success.” The speaker, Jacqueline Unger is a partner and government contracts group leader for PilieroMazza PLLC. Organizers say new tariffs have raised the cost for items crucial for fulfilling government contracts. The tariffs are also causing supply chain delays, complicating schedules and putting contractors at risk for cost increases. The webinar is focused on insights to protect businesses against disruptions from tariffs and will discuss recent policy developments and their effects on cost and compliance. Unger also plans to discuss risk mitigation strategies and ways to maintain profitability and competitiveness. Tickets are $25 and there is no charge for Compliance Alliance Members. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Registration)

HEALTH CONNECTOR: Massachusetts Health Connector holds a webinar about open enrollment, including how to compare plans and learn about changes to heavily subsidized ConnectorCare plans. Members must sign up for a plan by Dec. 23 to ensure they have coverage starting Jan. 1. Open enrollment continues through Jan. 23. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

OLDER ADULTS IN HOSPITALS: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar about Mass General Brigham's West Health Accelerator, which organizers say is implementing "best practices" for caring for older adults in hospitals. "Transforming hospital care for older adults is imperative, and while there are clinical solutions to target the needs of this population, many hospitals have not operationalized these solutions across units or beyond pilot programs," MHA says. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

AUTHOR TALK: State Library of Massachusetts holds an Author Talk with Paul Collins about a 2023 book he co-authored, "Supreme Bias: Gender and Race in U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings." The book "compiles quantitative and qualitative evidence showing that gender and racial bias affects the interviews; women and people of color are more frequently interrupted, subject to stereo-typed base questioning, and overall critiqued in more negative terms than their white, male counterparts," according to the State Library blog. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library, Room 341 | Livestream)

DOR MOVIE HEARING: Department of Revenue holds a public hearing on proposed regulations for dealing with the 4% income surtax, with a focus on how "withholding agents must withhold the 4% surtax from payments made to certain individual performers where the aggregate amount of such payments in a given year exceeds the surtax threshold for that year." The hearing also addresses proposed regulations that require motion picture production companies to withhold personal income tax payments on entities providing services for movie productions in Massachusetts. DOR says the production companies must "withhold the 4% surtax from payments made to independent contractors and loanouts for the production of a motion picture where the annual aggregate amount of such payments exceeds the surtax’s threshold." (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Access)

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Transportation holds a hybrid hearing on a bill (H 4691) to establish an Orange Star license plate for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and a bill (H 4723) to designate a bridge on Gorham Street in Chelmsford as the “Ferreira Brothers Bridge” in recognition of John, Manuel and Anthony Ferreira for their service in the U.S. armed forces. The deadline for signing up for virtual testimony is 12 p.m. Written testimony can also be emailed to Siobhan.Morrissey@mahouse.gov and CC Alexander.Chilton@masenate.gov or mailed to the House Chair Rep. Arciero. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., A-2 and virtual | Virtual sign up)

MWRA BOARD: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board meets. Agenda includes a report from the executive director, contract awards, and personnel and compensation approvals. Another agenda item deals with correspondence tied to the draft long-term CSO plan from watershed associations and other parties, which have criticized an MWRA staff recommendation that would enable limited CSOs into the Charles River and Mystic River. The board also plans to go into executive session to "discuss strategy" for the ongoing Boston Harbor federal lawsuit. The Charles River Watershed Association and Mystic River Watershed Association filed a motion on Nov. 18 to intervene in the ongoing case, and the MWRA has secured an extension to respond by Dec. 19. The Conservation Law Foundation on Dec. 2 filed a motion in support of the watershed associations' action. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 2 Griffin Way, Chelsea | Agenda and Livestream)

EARLY ED, CARE BOARD: Board of Early Education and Care meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 156 Broad St., Lynn | More Info and Livestream)

MUNI AGGREGATION: Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on municipal aggregation plans for Agawam and Hinsdale. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council holds its weekly assembly and could vote on Gov. Healey's nominations of Toiya Taylor to the Probate & Family Court and Frances Dallmeyer to the District Court. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream

BIMA HOLIDAY GALA: Boston Interactive Media Association holds its annual holiday gala. More than 500 media and marketing professionals are expected to attend. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Ave., Boston | Register)

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

HEALTH INSURANCE SURVEY RESULTS: The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation hosts an event to highlight the findings from the 2025 Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey that was conducted by the Center for Health Information and Analysis. The program includes a keynote presentation from CHIA outlining the trends from the survey and panel discussion to explore how changes in federal policy will affect health care here. The survey found a strong connection between lack of insurance coverage and medical debt. Residents with household family members not continuously insured over the 12 months were almost twice as likely to have medical debt than those who had continuous insurance coverage. And insurance doesn’t fully protect residents from debt as deductibles were the most common source of bills leading to medical debt. Overall, one in eight Massachusetts residents have medical debt and the burden is disproportionately borne by Black residents with incomes from 139% up to 500% of the federal poverty level. The panel is moderated by Jason Laughlin, a reporter for the Boston Globe and panelists include: Tina Alu, executive director of Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee; Dr. Damian Archer, CEO of Outer Cape Health Services, Inc.; Justin Giovannelli, associate research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms; and Christina Severin, CEO and president of Community Care Cooperative. (Thursday, 9 a.m., The Colonnade Hotel 120 Huntington Ave., Boston)

BUILDING REUSE: Massachusetts Climate Action Network holds a meeting about the climate tradeoffs between balancing building reuse and new housing development. David Mendels, a Brookline Town Meeting member and co-founder of Brookline advocacy group ZeroCarbonMA, presents his calculator to evaluate the pros and cons. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Register)

MUNI MANAGEMENT, HR: Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources hold a joint holiday meeting. MMMA President John Mangiaratti and MMHR Chair Jen Breaker give welcome remarks. MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine provides legislative updates. Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert leads a session about setting goals for 2026. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., The Manor, 42 W. Boylston St. | Register)

MASS GILTI TAX WEBINAR: Massachusetts Opportunity Alliance hosts a webinar on the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, or GILTI, tax proposal. Massachusetts currently taxes 5% of foreign-based profits based on the federal GILTI formula. Proposed legislation (H 3110/S 2033) would boost that to 50%. Supporters of the proposal have highlighted how it could boost tax revenues. Massachusetts is projected to lose $650 million in state tax revenues this budget year under the new federal law. Business representatives and tax policy experts have urged lawmakers to reject the proposal. The webinar will discuss what the proposal means for employers and the state’s competitiveness. A panel discussion will be moderated by Larry Edelman, business columnist for the Boston Globe and panelists are John Cantalupo, partner at Ernst & Young in tax services, and Karl Frieden, vice president and general counsel for the Council on State Taxation. RSVPs are requested.(Thursday, 10 a.m., RSVP and Zoom)

XYLAZINE COMMISSION: The third public meeting of the Special Commission on Xylazine is held. The commission was formed under a 2024 law to study the increasing presence of the dangerous animal sedative in the state's illicit drug supply. (Thursday, 2 p.m. | Virtual)

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT TRUST FUND: Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., For public access email sophie.m.stevenson@tre.state.ma.us )

CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission holds a hybrid public meeting. The agenda is not available yet but during a Dec. 4 meeting, commissioners informally agreed to voting on the long awaited regulations governing social consumption. This lines up with commission Chair Shannon O’Brien’s expectation that the commission vote on social consumption regulations before Christmas.(Thursday, 10 a.m., Union Station 2 Washington Square, Worcester | Remote Access)

HOUSE ETHICS TRAINING: House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement holds a mandatory ethics training for all House staff members. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Rooms A-1 and A-2)

MASCON SCHOOL: Students from the Mascon School Children's Chorus in Roxbury perform at the State House as part of Secretary Galvin's Holiday Concert Series. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase)

MWRA ADVISORY BOARD: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Advisory Board holds a holiday open house to celebrate accomplishments over the past year and network with colleagues. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington)

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE RECRUITING: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar about how internal health care recruitment can help alleviate workforce challenges. Attendees will learn about legal considerations in hiring international nurses and how to build a long-term workforce plan. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Commission meets. Agenda includes updates from the Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention. There will also be a presentation about AI companions in mental health. (Thursday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

SUIT UP SPRINGFIELD SHARP SE7EN AWARDS: Suit Up Springfield hosts its Sharp Se7en Inaugural Awards and 10th Year Fundraiser. The Sharp Se7en honors seven of Springfield’s best-dressed men whose style reflects not only fashion, but confidence, leadership and pride in the community. The honorees are selected by Suit Up Springfield’s Board of Directors. This year’s honorees include Sen. Adam Gomez, Hampden County DA Anthony Gulluni, Springfield City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce, Suit Up Springfield founder Justin Robers, car dealer and charitable leader Gary Rome and entrepreneur and community leader Cesar Ruiz Jr. Tickets are $35. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Commonwealth Bar & Lounge in MGM Springfield 1 MGM Way, Springfield | Tickets)

ALLSTON I-90 TASK FORCE: Allston I-90 Multimodal Transportation Project Task Force meets. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St., Brighton | More Info)

MASSDOT ABINGTON: MassDOT holds a public hearing on its proposed project in Abington to reconstruct the intersection of Bedford Street (Route 18) at Brockton Avenue (Route 123). The project involves traffic signal upgrades, new lane configurations, new sidewalks with ADA-compliant ramps, crosswalks and bike lanes. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | RSVP)

Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

ELECTION LAWS: Joint Committee on Election Laws collects written testimony on a Sen. Rausch proposal to hide the personal contact information and home address of public officials from public records (S 2742), and a bill validating the results of Bourne's May town election (H 4763). (Friday, 9 a.m.)

SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY: Massachusetts School Building Authority Board meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Friday, 10 a.m., For access, contact Maria.Puopolo@MassSchoolBuildings.org)

CLUBHOUSE SERVICES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a hearing on updating rates for clubhouse services, which are provided by the Department of Mental Health. Officials say the rate boost will "result in an increase of $891,413 (2.74%) over FY25 spending of $32,506,042." DMH says clubhouses provide "psychosocial rehabilitation services" in community centers. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

AGING FEDERAL POLICY: Bob Blancato, national coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, discusses the state of national aging policies. “Aging Federal Policy Update: What We Know, What We Don't Know, and What We Should Fear” will focus on policy shifts, emerging challenges and advocacy opportunities to protect and help form services for older Americans. Registration is required. (Friday, 11 a.m., virtual | Registration)

WILMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Students from Wilmington Public Schools perform at the State House as part of Secretary Galvin's Holiday Concert Series. (Friday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase)

TAUNTON ELECTION WORKERS: Appreciation celebration is held for Taunton election workers. Auditor DiZoglio gives remarks. (Friday, 12 p.m., Taunton City Hall, 15 Summer St., Taunton)

HIGHER ED HEARING: Department of Higher Education holds a public hearing on a proposed regulation for "pilot proposals on innovation." The change would give the Board of Higher Education the flexibility to waive regulations or standards, such as the number of credits that are required to earn degrees. The regulation creates a pathway for colleges and universities to test out three-year bachelor's degrees and reduce the 120-credit requirement. The goal is to boost students' access to degree-granting programs in "high-demand fields," according to the hearing notice. (Friday, 12 p.m. | More Info and Access)

STATE ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight accepts written testimony on a bill conveying land and authorizing the recording of a confirmatory deed in Marlborough (H 4797). (Friday, 12 p.m.)

CORE PLAN: Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General accepts written comment through 5 p.m. on updating eligibility for the Massachusetts Defined Contribution CORE Plan for not-for-profit employers. Comments can be emailed to Cassandra.m.chung@tre.state.ma.us. (Friday, 5 p.m. | More Info)

DIVISION OF BANKS: Division of Banks begins accepting public comment on a petition from The Check Exchange's parent company, Financial Services Company Inc., to operate as a check casher in Framingham. Comments can be sent to Aimee.Desai@mass.gov through Dec. 26. (Friday | More Info)

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

CHINESE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION: Chinese School Association in the United States holds its national convention in Boston from Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14. Auditor DiZoglio gives remarks on Saturday. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Renaissance Boston Seaport District, 606 Congress St., Boston)

NAGE HOLIDAY PARTY: National Association of Government Employees holds a holiday party. Auditor DiZoglio attends. (Saturday, Dec. 13, Summer Shack, 149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge)