People, Power, and Politics

After questions from residents last summer about whether a deer hunt at Quabbin Park was necessary — and whether the state's methods for counting deer were reliable — the Department of Conservation and Recreation turned to a new tool: infrared-equipped drones. The result, DCR officials told members of the Water Supply Protection Trust on Thursday, was a more precise snapshot of the deer population that ultimately reinforced what earlier surveys had already suggested — that deer numbers in Quabbin Park were high enough to threaten forest health and justify a managed hunt.

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!

MEDWAY

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

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND

This General Court notably got underway on New Year's Day after the last one met into the early morning hours of Dec. 31, 2024. While 2026 begins on Thursday, the second year of the two-year legislative session does not kick off until the first Wednesday in January, which doesn't hit until Jan. 7. That means the legislative break that began before Thanksgiving will stretch well into the new year. The week ahead bridges the two years and is predictably light on events, but there are some key dates approaching and the anticipation is building for a busy 2026.

HEALTH INSURANCE DILEMMAS: Federal enhanced premium tax credits that have helped lower monthly health insurance costs for some people since 2021 are set to expire on Wednesday. If your household income is above 400% of the federal poverty level FPL, you will no longer qualify for financial help, according to the Connector Authority. For 2026, this is about $62,600 for a single person, $84,240 for a couple, or $128,400 for a family of four. "We estimate that with Trump allowing these subsidies to expire upwards of 350,000 people in Massachusetts are going to lose their health insurance," Gov. Maura Healey said on Tuesday. She added, "The good news -- and I hope to be out with more word on this soon -- we are working to see how we can come up with ways to help people."

ACTIVE ENERGY FRONT: The New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line has been moving toward delivering Canadian hydropower by year's end, promising clean energy and modest bill relief after years of delays. The project will connect the U.S. and Canada via a 233-kilometer high-voltage line. It will supply 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectric power from Quebec to New England, primarily to Massachusetts. Iberdrola estimates the project will provide clean energy to 1.2 million homes. "The good news is [at] the end of this month we're going to have hydro coming in from Quebec," Healey said Tuesday. "That's a new energy source. Healey is trying to deploy more solar power, advance offshore wind energy in the face of opposition from the Trump administration and work with other states and regions including Canada to get more energy supply into the region. The pre-commissioning testing phase of the NECEC continues, a spokesman said, and the project recently achieved 1,200 MW of power flow to New England. The spokesman said NECE looks forward "to welcoming this energy project online soon for the benefit of Massachusetts customers and all New Englanders," with a final commissioning date determined by progress during testing. The region's grid operator this week said the pausing of federal offshore wind energy leases presents power cost and reliability concerns. The lease pause could draw litigation soon.

ELECTION SEASON RAMPS UP: The election year dawns on Thursday, with all six statewide constitutional offices on the ballot as well as the 200 seats in the Legislature, nine U.S. House seats and the U.S. Senate currently held by Edward Markey. Healey plans to seek a second four-year term, with three Republican opponents already in the mix. Congressman Seth Moulton of Salem is challenging Markey, which means his seat in the House is up for grabs. Especially next year, it appears candidates will be competing for the attention of voters with ballot questions. The state elections division faces a Jan. 7 deadline to transmit qualifying initiative petitions to the Legislature which will at a minimum hold public hearings on the measures. The division has so far certified five questions to move forward, and more certifications could push the possible ballot question count into double digits.

MARK YOUR JANUARY CALENDARS: The Legislature's late return pushes back some of January's key dates. Healey plans to deliver her State of the State address on Thursday, Jan. 22 in the House chamber. Her election-year state budget proposal is due by Wednesday, Jan. 28. Executive and legislative budget officials are working to develop a consensus tax revenue estimate to use in their budget proposals. The shared estimate is due by Jan. 15. Administration and Finance Secretary Matt Gorzkowicz is likely deep into the weeds on Healey's next budget plan. Starting Jan. 18, any House bill that is heard must be reported out within a strict 60 days, with no extensions allowed. That effectively locks in a hard reporting clock for late-heard House bills as the Legislature approaches its March cutoff for committee recommendations.

SOCCER STADIUM DEADLINE: Wednesday is the deadline for the Kraft family and the City of Boston to enter into a community impact agreement tied to the development of a pro soccer stadium in Everett. Specified in the 2024 economic development bond law, the deadline language also says the parties must submit to "binding arbitration" if they fail to reach an agreement by Dec. 31. The arbitration panel would include a representative of the owner, a representative from the host community and a neutral arbitrator. Former Massport CEO Tom Glynn was named a mediator ahead of a May deadline. But the law specifies that Glynn cannot also serve as arbitrator and "the arbitrator shall be mutually agreed upon by both parties to the community impact agreement." Community impact agreements must be filed with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs before the land parcel that's eyed for the stadium is removed from the designated port area. That removal is seen as a key step to developing the stadium for the New England Revolution soccer team.

Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025

GOLDSTEIN ON THE RECORD: State Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein joins reporters Sharman Sacchetti and Ed Harding on WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

SOWA WINTER FESTIVAL: SoWa Winter Festival closes for the season. The indoor market features more than 100 artisans, live music, cocktails and food. Tickets are $10 and admission is free for children under 12. (Sunday, SoWa Art Power Station 550 Harrison Ave., Boston)

SNOWPORT: The Holiday Market at Snowport closes for the season. The market includes more than 120 artisans, food and a tree market. (Sunday, 100 Seaport Blvd., Boston)

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

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

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

PROPERTY TAX TESTIMONY DEADLINE: Deadline to submit written testimony to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on property tax bills (S 1933, S 1935) sponsored by Sen. Brownsberger and Sen. Collins. The committee, which opted against holding an in-person public hearing despite a surge in interest in Boston property tax levels, began accepting written input on the measures on Dec. 11. Brownsberger's bill would enable municipalities to offer "tax shock" prevention credits when residential property taxes climb by more than 10% in the third quarter. Cities and towns can opt in during tax-shock years and choose which of the outlined eligible groups can receive the credits: seniors, residents eligible for MassHealth and unemployed taxpayers. "I hope to be able to move that in January," Brownsberger said during a Dec. 14 virtual forum on property taxes. The Collins bill would authorize uniform rebates for households that received the residential exemption in the prior fiscal year. The bills from Boston-area senators gained attention as Boston's home rule petition to temporarily shift more of the city's property tax burden onto commercial owners sputtered out on Beacon Hill. House Speaker Ron Mariano told reporters last week the senators "pulled these bills right out of their back pocket." The proposals had been sent to the Joint Committee on Revenue in February, but they languished without a hearing for months before they were redirected to Ways and Means. (Monday, 5 p.m. | More Info)

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

LOTTERY COMMISSION: Massachusetts State Lottery Commission meets remotely. The agenda includes a report from the executive director. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.| More Info and Access)

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

BOSTON FIRST NIGHT: Boston's First Night 2026 features concerts and performances as part of the annual New Year Eve's celebration. Events kick off at 10 a.m. The first Frog Pond Skating Spectacular is at 3 p.m., followed by another show at 5:30 p.m. The Mugar Family Fireworks are slated for 7 p.m. over Boston Common. The midnight fireworks display is over Boston Harbor. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Boston | More Info)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. The House will then close at noon. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session with an opportunity to name three conference committee members to work with House negotiators on a compromise cannabis reform bill. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

FREE MBTA SERVICE: The MBTA is fare-free after 8 p.m. for subway, ferry, bus and The RIDE service. Commuter rail is also free for trains that arrive or depart from North/South Station from 8 p.m. through the end of service. Commuter rail, bus, ferry and The Ride operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, while subway service will increase after 3 p.m. (Wednesday, 8 p.m.)

EVERETT STADIUM AGREEMENT DUE: Wednesday is the deadline for the Kraft family and the City of Boston to enter into a community impact agreement tied to the development of a pro soccer stadium in Everett.

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

STATE HOUSE: The State House is closed in recognition of New Years Day. (Thursday)

GLP-1 DRUGS: Vida Health becomes responsible for managing GLP-1 weight loss drugs at the Group Insurance Commission, which has more than 460,000 public employee, retiree, dependent and survivor members. The GIC's vendor agreement with Vida is expected to save the agency $30 million annually. Surging demand for the costly drugs partially fueled the GIC's budget woes earlier this year, and resulted in the Legislature delivering a $240 million emergency infusion. Vida will develop individualized treatment plans for GIC members, including food and activity trackers. All carriers with the Massachusetts Health Connector have decided to stop covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in 2026.(Thursday)

GIVING TREE: The Prudential Center is accepting gifts through Thursday to benefit Cradles to Crayons, a charity focused on helping children get the essentials they need at home, in school and while playing. Attendees can get a tag off the Pru Giving Tree by the Concierge Desk or purchase a gift online. (Thursday, Prudential Center 800 Boylston St., Boston | Online Gifts)

Friday, Jan. 2, 2026

MFA FIRST FRIDAY: In partnership with Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office of Arts and Culture the Boston Museum of Fine Arts holds an exhibition “Martin Puryear:Nexus” as part of the museum’s “First Friday” event series. The event includes a poetry performance by Boston Poet Laureate Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah. There will also be reserved time slots available for art making and music by a DJ. The event is free for MFA members and tickets are $27 for non-members.(Friday, 6 p.m., 465 Huntington Ave., Boston |Tickets)

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE: Commuter rail service is suspended at North Station on Jan.3 to Jan. 4 for signal improvement work, according to the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services. Service disruptions are also planned for additional weekends through April. "This critical project will modernize the signal system at Tower A, which controls all train movements into and out of North Station," Keolis said. "It also prepares for the replacement of the North Station drawbridges in the coming years." Along the Newburyport/Rockport Line, local and express shuttle buses will run between North Station and Swampscott, and local buses will serve Wonderland to connect to the Blue Line. On the Haverhill Line, the Orange Line replaces service between North Station and Oak Grove. For the Lowell Line, local and express shuttle buses replace service between North Station and Anderson/Woburn Station. For the Fitchburg Line, Red Line to Green Line service replaces regular service between North Station and Porter. (Saturday, Jan. 3 | More Info)