Franklin Town MA
6-14-2026 4:26am

People, Power and Politics

Healthcare entities flagged for not hitting a newly proposed primary care spending target and failing to make improvements could be hit with hefty financial penalties under legislation that emerged in the Senate Thursday. The late-session push to gradually fortify a key sector is also raising fresh questions around cost control and affordability. Unveiled after Senate President Karen Spilka (above) spoke to business leaders about it at a Boston hotel, the legislation envisions pumping potentially billions of dollars into the primary care sector without raising already surging medical spending. Although Spilka emphasized the branch's focus on affordability, the legislation does not offer a concrete roadmap for how to redistribute healthcare dollars while ensuring patients are not faced with new cost pressures that may force them to forgo care. By a 14-0 vote, the Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced a primary care reform package (S 3116) that features a phased-in spending target for the sector and a standardized capitated payment model that replaces the traditional fee-for-service structure. The bill, based closely on recommendations from a primary care task force, is up for a vote next Thursday.

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!

The FY 2027 budget has been approved, what remains is to close out the FY 2026 budget by June 30.

The Town Council spent 8.5 hours over 2 nights in May for their FY 2027 budget hearing and then almost another 5 hours to get through the 40 plus budget votes and ancillary matters at their June 10 meeting.

One take away that should be remembered: While some members of both the Finance Committee and Town Council expressed interest in not using free cash and finding ways to cut the budget to balance, the votes were not where to do so.

Another way of putting it is that both the Finance Committee and Town Council "validated the budget.” The amount and areas of change from the original proposal to the approved version were minimal.

Now let’s see that effort put toward the strategic plan to really get a fix to the structural issues we have. Significant savings have occurred to the budget over the past several years due to the reorganizations by the Fire Dept, Police Dept, Finance Dept/Human Resources (Town and Schools) and the major savings from the Schools redistricting. Those savings have helped but that can’t be repeated. Time to focus on the revenue side.

The Town Council meeting Wednesday, June 17 has a few measures to help ready the book of accounts to get closed out for FY 2026 as of June 30.

Also of note on the agenda are the appointments for the expiring terms across multiple boards and committees. While the majority of volunteers are renewing, there are about 20 positions on 8 boards/committees that remain open. Check out the listing of those and see if one might be something you could take up.

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.

*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 6/12/26, 9:00 PM ***

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Monday, June 15 Time: 4:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06152026-2351

Community Preservation Committee - CANCELED

Monday, June 15 Time:  

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group Meeting

Tuesday, June 16 Time: 1:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06162026-2367

Design Review Meeting

Tuesday, June 16 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06162026-2366

Town Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 17 Time: 6:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06172026-2368

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, June 18 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal session

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, June 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/610?fileID=9301

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

Town/ School meetings

FHS/ Tri-County live streaming

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

Child welfare and data privacy bills have cleared each branch and could land next week before six-person conference committees for resolution. The most sweeping bills of each session and those with the greatest impact travel through conference panels, which continue to work on legislation governing early literacy reforms, public higher education infrastructure improvements, cellphone use by students and social media regulations, immigrant protections, and the more than $63 billion state budget. There's momentum behind the effort to pass new laws governing all of the aforementioned areas but lawmakers face no strict deadline to advance the bills in conference other than the end of this two-year session on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027. The annual budget is supposed to be done by July 1 but lawmakers typically miss that goal and June is typically a month when governors and lawmakers team up on an interim spending law to prevent a government shutdown in the absence of a finalized budget. The area where pressure is building is on the initiative petition front. Ten campaigns by next Wednesday need to submit a final round of signatures (12,429) needed to lock in ballot access, although a few of the proposals are still at risk of being derailed due to court challenges still pending before the Supreme Judicial Court. On Friday, the measure aiming to repeal the recreational cannabis law survived its challenge. Lawmakers have only what's left of this month to come up with alternative laws that might cause ballot question sponsors to drop their bids. Ballot access will also be the central question next week for attorney general candidate Michael Walsh and lieutenant governor candidate Anne Manning Martin. Democrats have challenged their nomination signatures and are confident that both Republicans won't make the ballot due to alleged signature fraud. Due to deadlines associated with getting a final ballot in order, the State Ballot Law Commission is expected to reach a decision soon after it holds public hearings to vet the signature allegations. The Senate plans a formal session Thursday to pass legislation requiring a gradual but major shift in healthcare spending toward primary care, raising the important question of where those funds will be taken from to ensure more people have access to basic health care. That's a question that insurance market payers might propose as they face another spike in premiums, which will be aired at a hearing Tuesday. Three World Cup soccer matches in Foxborough over the next week will test government preparations for the tournament and new state laws enabling people in some communities to drink at a bar until as late as 3 a.m. or in alcohol consumption districts.

Sunday, June 14, 2026

KERRIGAN ON KELLER: Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan joins political analyst Jon Keller's weekly talk show "Keller at Large" to discuss Tuesday's Moulton v. Deaton debate, Sen. Ed Markey's candidacy, the importance of character in politics, and the controversy over the attempted audit of the Legislature. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

SUNUNU ON @ISSUE: New Hampshire U.S. Senate candidate John Sununu joins NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard for his weekly "@ Issue Sit Down" (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

CULPEPPER ON THE RECORD: Boston City Councilor Miniard Culpepper joins WCVB's weekly political talk show "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

MARKEY IN NEWTON: U.S. Sen. Markey canvasses in Newton as part of his reelection campaign. (Sunday, 11 a.m., Newton Center Playground, 81 Tyler Terrace, Newton)

UPLIFTING ARTISTS: WCVB's weekly urban magazine program "CityLine" highlights upcoming events that "uplift creators and share untold stories through film, art and music," according to the program. Guests include Roxbury International Film Festival Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Simmons, Museum of Fine Arts Curator Layla Bermeo, Boston Art and Music Soul Festival Board Chair Austyn Ellese Mayfield and musician Tim Hall. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WCVB-TV)

JUNETEENTH BRUNCH: Annual Juneteenth brunch is held at Hibernian Hall. U.S. Sen. Markey attends. (Sunday, 1:30 p.m., 184 Dudley St., Roxbury)

Monday, June 15, 2026

INTERN SEMINAR: Former Governor Jane Swift is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Monday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)

FUTURE OF PAYMENTS: Special Legislative Commission to Study the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses meets. Co-chaired by Rep. Murphy and Sen. Feeney, the commission is seeking testimony from small business owners, restaurant associations, retail groups and consumer advocates about issues affecting them. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | More Info and Livestream)

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MITIGATION: Hazardous Materials Mitigation Advisory Board holds a virtual public meeting. Agenda includes office updates on July 4 planning, Sail Boston and World Cup planning. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Access)

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

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

BRISTOL COUNTY FLAG SOJOURN: Bristol County Sheriff's Office hosts the Flag Sojourn 250, an American flag that has been traveling to all 50 states, U.S. territories and overseas military cemeteries since last year’s Flag Day on June 14, 2025. It's a project from the National Flag Foundation and America 250's America Waves program, according to the office. Harvard University Professor of Government and faculty chair of Harvard’s Bi-Partisan Program for Newly Elected Members of the U.S. Congress, David King, is keynote speaker. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod will be providing a military flyover. (Monday, 11 a.m., USS Massachusetts, Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street, Fall River)

CORRECTIONAL CONSOLIDATION, COLLABORATION: Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration meets virtually and hears testimony from members of the Massachusetts Parole Officers’ Association. The commission will also discuss an extension for its reporting deadline. Created through the fiscal 2025 budget, the commission currently faces a Sept. 30 deadline to submit a report on alternative ways to distribute responsibilities and oversight of correctional facilities, houses of correction and jails. The commission's analysis should take into account the need to reduce taxpayer costs, the need to provide "safe and humane" facilities, the importance of rehabilitative programming, the advantage of local facilities to support family and community connections, and the need for increasing regional collaboration, among other factors. (Monday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Access)

SENATE ENERGY BILL SEMINAR: Mass Climate Action Network and 250 Mass hold a seminar on "elements of the expected Senate Climate bill." The House passed an energy affordability bill in February, which would cut $1 billion from the Mass Save program, and the Senate has yet to reveal its version. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee Co-chair Sen. Michael Barrett recently said he would "have a hard time cutting the MassSave budget." The advisory says, "Despite expected positive provisions, MCAN has concerns, especially that the House version includes a devastating $1 billion cut to Mass Save. Climate advocates must mobilize now to ensure that the bill that ends up on the Governor’s desk contains the best provisions possible." Dan Zackin, legislative manager with 350 Mass, and Mark Dyen, energy efficiency and renewable energy advocate, will lead the discussion. (Monday, 1 p.m. | Register)

INTERN SEMINAR: Maura Sullivan, executive director of The Arc, is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Monday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)

SENATE AMENDMENTS: Amendments are due for the primary care reform bill (S 3116) ahead of Thursday's formal session and vote. The package establishes an incremental primary care spending target, calls for a standardized capitated payment model for commercial insurers and the Group Insurance Commission, and gives the Health Policy Commission new enforcement authority to monitor and penalize entities that are not meeting the target and making subsequent progress. (Monday, 2:30 p.m.)

WOMEN IN SCIENCE: International Women's Forum of Massachusetts holds a "Pioneering Massachusetts Women in Science" event. Lt. Gov. Driscoll gives remarks. (Monday, 5 p.m., State Room, 60 State St., Boston)

PRESSLEY IN CHELSEA: Congresswoman Pressley holds a press conference following a closed-door listening session with "unlawfully deported and formerly detained individuals who call Massachusetts home," according to her office. Sen. DiDomenico, Rep. Garcia, Chelsea City Manager Maltez and Chelsea City Council President Jimenez-Rivera will be in attendance, alongside the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of MA, Latinos Unidos for Massachusetts, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Massachusetts Access to Council Initiative, Mass Deportation Defense and others. (Monday, 5 p.m., Chelsea | Address available upon RSVP)

BUS NETWORK REDESIGN: MBTA holds a meeting to hear public feedback on proposed Bus Network Redesign route changes. The agency is updating bus routes and schedules between 2024 and 2029, making changes such as doubling frequent bus routes (buses that arrive every 15 minutes or less). In spring 2026, the MBTA began rolling out changes to bus service for routes CT2, SL2, 9, 16, 24, 40, 42, 50, 85, 87, 96, 101, 220, 226, 350, and 455. (Monday, 6 p.m., Virtual | Register | Bus Network Redesign Plan)

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

ENERGY SITING, PERMITTING: A briefing explores updated clean energy siting and permitting regulations that the Energy Facilities Siting Board and the Department of Energy Resources adopted this spring and that take effect in July. The reforms are meant to accelerate timelines and make the process more predictable for communities and development. The briefing is hosted by RENEW Northeast, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., 5 Patti Page Way, Centerville | Register)

MERGED MARKET RATES: Health insurers present their proposed rate increases for the merged market, where many individuals and small businesses get coverage, to the Division of Insurance. On average, insurers have proposed a rate hike of 12.9% for 2027, compared to 13.4% in 2026. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, which has the largest volume of enrollees at 166,384, plans to increase premiums by an average of 15.3%. Regulators last year rejected proposals from Blue Cross and WellSense Health Plan after deeming the hikes excessive. Each insurers will deliver a 10-15 minute presentation and then answer questions from regulators. Rates should be finalized in August. (Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. | Access)

BRIDGEWATER STATE HOSPITAL TRANSFER ADVOCACY: Rep. Barber and Sen. Creem join the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Disability Law Center and National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts in explaining and advocating for legislation (H 3291, S 1386) that would transfer Bridgewater State hospital oversight from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. The Senate version of the fiscal 2027 budget would require the state to come up with an "implementation plan" outlining what's necessary from a transfer by June 30, 2027, but that budget rider's fate hinges on the outcome of House-Senate talks. A February 2026 Disability Law Center report recommended that the state "immediately" place the facility under DMH authority and "urgently" construct a modern DMH hospital facility for patients. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room 428)

VETS EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Executive Office of Veterans Services hosts the Veterans Employment Education and Training Conference, where attendees can look at employment and educational opportunities at a career fair and go to breakout sessions. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Bristol Community College, Building G, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River | Registration)

MELROSE FUNDING: U.S. Rep. Clark joins Melrose Mayor Jen Grigoraitis to announce $1.8 million in federal funding for improvements to Melrose Public Schools' public address systems and city flood management infrastructure. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Melrose City Hall, 562 Main St., Melrose)

INTERN SEMINAR: Sen. Jamie Eldridge, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue, is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)

VETERANS HOMES COUNCIL: Veterans Homes Council hosts its June meeting. Agenda includes informational presentations from Massachusetts Veterans Homes at Chelsea and Holyoke. (Tuesday, 11 a.m.| More Info)

CARR PARK REOPENING: U.S. Rep. Clark joins Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn for the grand reopening of Carr Park, where Clark says she secured $2.1 million in federal funding for a solar panel array and climate resilience improvements. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Carr Park, Winslow Avenue, Medford)

CAMBRIDGE FUNDING: Congresswoman Pressley joins Rep. Decker and Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang to announce $1 million in federal community project funding she says she secured for the Cambridge Community Center to install a clean energy system and establish a climate resilience hub. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. | Location provided upon RSVP)

METRO SOUTH CHAMBER: Metro South Chamber and Eastern Bank present the annual ATHENA Leadership Award, which comes from a global nonprofit that looks to empower and recognize women leaders. Shaleen Title, a lawyer who specializes in emerging industries like cannabis and AI, is the guest speaker. The award recipient is Christiana Odunze, vice president of healthcare services at Brockton-based BAMSI that serves people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health conditions. (Tuesday, 11:45 a.m., Massasoit Community College, 1 Massasoit Blvd., Brockton | Register)

OCEAN PLAN: Ocean Advisory Commission meets. In response to the Oceans Act of 2008, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs created an Ocean Management Plan, which must be reviewed once every five years. The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management leads the review process. EEA initiated a review of the current ocean plan in 2025. The commission will meet Tuesday to discuss potential updates and go over the next steps for remaining tasks in the ocean plan review process. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | More Info | Zoom)

BALLOT LAW COMMISSION: State Ballot Law Commission holds hearings on four objections seeking to disqualify candidates from the ballot. If necessary, the hearings will continue at 12 p.m. on June 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 25. according to Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office. Democratic Party Executive Director Adam Roof filed complaints against Republican attorney general candidate Michael Walsh and Republican lieutenant governor candidate Anne Manning Martin. Roof says the candidates filed fraudulent signatures that were written by the same person, and that they do not have the minimum 10,000 required signatures to make the ballot. Republican lieutenant governor candidate Shawn Oliver, who's Brian Shortsleeve's running mate, lodged a similar complaint against Manning Martin. Oliver says Manning Martin submitted "many signatures" that are "non-genuine," "have been fraudulently obtained" and are not from registered voters. District 4 Governor's Council candidate Ronald Iacobucci filed a complaint against fellow candidate Jordan Korgood. Iacobucci contends Korgood has not lived in Massachusetts long enough to run for office and was registered with a different political party in the one-year period before filing her nomination papers. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 1 Ashburton Place, 17th floor conference room, Boston)

INTERN SEMINAR: Sen. John Keenan, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)

LIFE SCIENCES: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors meets. Agenda includes a report from CEO Kirk Taylor. The board will also vote on a financial update, Pathmaker Awards for life sciences career pathways, the Education and Workforce Grant Program and the 2025 tax incentive program. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Mass General Brigham, 399 Revolution Drive, Suite 999, Somerville | Agenda)

CHAMBER'S WOMEN'S NETWORK: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts a conversation with CEO of AARP Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan titled "Leading Longer, Leading Stronger." Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab Founding Director Joseph Coughlin moderates the discussion and a Q&A, where attendees are expected to "explore why innovation in health, longevity, and aging is not just about new ideas; but about who gets to shape them, and how women are leading that transformation," per the chamber. Press RSVP to cbaines@bostonchamber.com and mholloway@bostonchamber.com. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Digitas, 40 Water Street, Suite 800, Boston | More Info and Tickets)

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP FORUM: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's Women's Network hosts a conversation with Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO of AARP, on women's leadership, health innovation and aging. The discussion will be moderated by Joseph Coughlin, founding director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, and will include a Q&A. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Digitas, 40 Water St., Suite 800, Boston)

STURBRIDGE ROUNDABOUT CONSTRUCTION: MassDOT hosts a public hearing to present the design for a proposed project that aims to enhance vehicle traffic and access to commercial areas along Route 20 in Sturbridge. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Sturbridge Town Hall, Veterans Memorial Hall, 308 Main Street, Sturbridge | More Info)

GARDNER PATHWAY EXTENSION: MassDOT hosts a virtual public hearing about the North Central Pathway Extension in Gardner, which is designed to enhance pedestrian and bicycle accessibility by completing a shared-use path that will connect downtown Winchendon with downtown Gardner. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

IRAQ VS. NORWAY: Iraq and Norway face off in a FIFA World Cup match. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., "Boston Stadium," 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough | More Info)

TRURO-WELLFLEET RESURFACING: MassDOT hosts a public meeting to provide information about a proposed project to resurface Route 6 in Truro and Wellfleet. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Truro Community Center, 7 Standish Way, North Truro | More Info)

MOULTON-DEATON DEBATE: Two candidates trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Ed Markey meet in a debate. Presumptive Republican nominee John Deaton and Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton, who is challenging Markey in the Democratic primary, agreed to the rare interparty debate. Markey was invited but declined, citing his Senate schedule, according to WBZ News' Jon Keller, who will moderate the event. They will meet for one hour. (Tuesday, 9 p.m., TV38 / WBZ)

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

'OUNCE OF PREVENTION' CONFERENCE: Department of Public Health holds its Ounce of Prevention Conference that's focused on building "healthier and more equitable communities." Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein gives remarks. Sessions will explore the impact of a hotline in preventing overdose deaths, working in rural communities, the public benefits cliff, data to shape behavioral health prevention and promotion initiatives, the impact of community health workers, public health approaches to gun violence and more. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., DCU Center, Third floor, Worcester | Register)

PAPPAS COMMISSION: Special Commission on Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children holds a hearing, with members seeking testimony from invited stakeholders and the public. The Massachusetts Nurses Association says family members of current and former Pappas patients are expected to speak, as well as Pappas staff. Gov. Healey in January 2025 proposed shuttering the state-run hospital as a cost-cutting measure, though she walked back that plan amid public outcry. Located on about 166 acres in Canton, the hospital provides medical, rehabilitative, educational and recreational services for patients ages 7-22 with serious physical and cognitive disabilities. A separate Pappas work group released a report last fall that recommended "near-term" facility upgrades to address life safety and quality issues, plus longer-term ideas to modernize the hospital's infrastructure, lower the level of care offered at Pappas, close the hospital or invest in pediatric care at Western Massachusetts Hospital. That work group laid the foundation for the commission, created through a fiscal 2026 budget policy rider. The commission is supposed to file a report by Dec. 31 on the hospital's finances, programs, pediatric services and infrastructure. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room B-2 | More Info and Livestream)

USS CONSTITUTION: USS Constitution goes underway from Charlestown Navy Yard to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill. The ship will fire a 21-gun salute off Fort Independence on Castle Island at around 11 a.m., followed by a 17-gun salute at about 12:15 p.m. while passing the U.S. Coast Guard base. The USS Constitution will be closed to the public Wednesday. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Charlestown Navy Yard)

UTEC FACILITY: UTEC, a nonprofit that supports justice-involved young adults, hosts a celebration for its new mattress recycling facility in Haverhill. Attendees include DEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple, Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett, and UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau. The facility is designed to serve more Massachusetts communities and create new workforce development opportunities for young adults who are involved in the criminal justice system or were formerly incarcerated. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 231 Neck Road, Unit B, Haverhill)

PRIMARY CARE TASK FORCE MEETING: Primary Care Access, Delivery, and Payment Task Force convenes to discuss final recommendations for "Statutory Deliverables #6: monitoring and tracking primary care need and service delivery, and #7: creating short- and long-term workforce development plans for primary care clinicians and workers," according to the Health Policy Commission. The commission co-chairs the task force with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Organizers plan to close the meeting by discussing next steps. The Senate plans to vote Thursday on legislation requiring a gradual but major shift in healthcare spending toward primary care. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., HPC offices, 50 Milk Street, Boston | Livestream)

PESTICIDE BOARD: Massachusetts Pesticide Board meets. Agenda includes program updates and a review of label changes due to endangered species requirements. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

ALZHEIMER'S AND BRAIN AWARENESS: Alzheimer's Association hosts an event recognizing Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, meant to raise awareness, advance public policy solutions, and highlight the the Alzheimer's Act (H 4302, S 2554). Breakfast and registration begin at 10 a.m. Speaking program begins at 10:30 a.m. Panelists include BU School of Medicine Associate Professor of Neurology and Boston Medical Center neurologist Dr. Hugo Aparicio, Association VP of Programs and Services Susan Antkowiak, MGH Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Coordinator Judy Johanson, and advocate living with Alzheimer's Marc Ehrlich. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 437)

LEAGUE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS DAY: Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers hosts its annual State House Day. Community health centers will have tables and exhibits with information about the care and services they provide. Mass. League President and CEO Michael Curry and Lowell Community Health Center CEO and Mass. League Board Chair Susan West Levine will make remarks. Mass. League will honor Rep. John Lawn and Sen. Julian Cyr with 2026 Community Health Center Champion awards. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Great Hall)

UMASS BOSTON GLPP INFO SESSION: Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus host an information session on UMass Boston's gender, leadership and public policy graduate certificate and MPA track programs. Women's Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Worrell are among scheduled speakers. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Room 350 | Virtual Access)

HOUSE FORMAL: House meets in a full formal session. Rolls calls begin after 1 p.m. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

HEALTHCARE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: Emergency Room Nurses Association, Massachusetts Association of Emergency Physicians, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, 1199SEIU and the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association rally to urge Senate passage of a bill (H 4767 / S1718) to require healthcare employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence. The bill, which has failed on Beacon Hill in several sessions, sailed through the House on a unanimous vote in November. The Senate version cleared its committee in July with a 7-0 vote. Now, the House and Senate versions are both awaiting attention in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Michael Rodrigues, Senate Ways and Means Chairman, told the News Service the bill “is top of mind” for the committee and it is “seriously looking at it.” Unions say someone in a Massachusetts healthcare facility faces workplace violence every 36 minutes. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., State House steps)

SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office and Virtual)

APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a public hearing on maintaining the current rates for applied behavior analysis services. The home- and community-based services are provided to MassHealth members under 21 years old who have an autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | More Info)

INTERN SEMINAR: Jim DiTullio, counsel to the Massachusetts Senate, is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)

HOUSE DEMS CAUCUS: House Democrats meet in a caucus ahead of roll call votes in a formal session. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Hearing Rooms A-1 and A-2)

MASSDOT BOARD: Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors meets. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, MassDOT Board Room, Boston | More Info)

CCC MEETING: Cannabis Control Commission meets two days before its legally mandated deadline to promulgate regulations for policies in a recent law overhauling the state's marijuana laws. During its June 11 meeting, the CCC adopted a motion tasking the legal department to present a set of emergency regulations tied to raising the sale limit from one ounce of marijuana to two and raising the cap on retail licenses from three to six. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 2 Washington Square, Worcester | Agenda and Livestream)

CHIA COUNCIL: Center for Health Information and Analysis Oversight Council meets. The body meets quarterly to discuss the agency's research and analytical priorities. CHIA released an updated primary care dashboard Thursday that looked into spending, workforce capacity, access to care and equity, among other metrics. CHIA also releases reports on total medical spending and health insurance coverage. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | Livestream)

INTERN SEMINAR: Sen. Becca Rausch is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)

CHARLES RIVER TASK FORCE: Charles River Task Force meets. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 449 Broadway, Cambridge | Register and Zoom)

ACTON SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT hosts a public hearing to present the design for a project in Acton that would improve safety at various locations along the corridor of Route 2A/119. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. Town Hall, 472 Main St. Room 204, Acton | More Info)

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES: Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University hosts a moderated forum and structured debate with candidates running to succeed U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton representing the Sixth Congressional District. Candidates on the ballot include Republican Micah Jones, and Democrats Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, former Rep. Jamie Belsito, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster, and Rep. Tram Nguyen. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, 352 Lafayette St., Salem | Register)

BALLOT QUESTION SIGNATURE DEADLINE: Ballot question campaigns face a deadline for the second round of signatures required to secure ballot access. Campaigns must file 12,429 signatures to local clerks, after which they face a final deadline to file with the Secretary of State's office on July 1. The minimum number of certified and allowed signatures needed in the second round is equal to 0.5% of the total votes cast for governor (excluding 12 blanks) at the preceding gubernatorial election. No more than 25% of the total required number may come from any one county. The deadline also highlights the shrinking timeline for lawmakers to reach compromises with campaigns. Top legislative Democrats do not favor several of the ballot questions and did not recommend any of them for passage, but would be charged with carrying forward with the will of the voters should the questions win favor in November. (Wednesday)

Thursday, June 18, 2026

GIC: Group Insurance Commission meets. The agency is continuing to wind down its contract with Vida Health, which temporarily became the agency's sole prescriber for GLP-1 weight loss drugs. With GIC commissioners voting to no longer cover the expensive drugs for the upcoming plan year, Vida on July 1 and through the rest of the year will stay available in a limited capacity to provide weight management support and help members find private pay options. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)

SPARK WOMEN'S FORUM: Attorney General Campbell delivers the keynote at One SouthCoast Chamber's annual SPARK: Women's Forum, which also features a healthcare panel and an awards presentation. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Rachel's Lakeside, 950 State Road, Dartmouth | Register)

FIRE SERVICE COMMISSION: Fire Service Commission meets. Agenda includes general issues and updates from the Department of Fire Services. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

SENATE: Senate meets in a formal session to vote on a primary care reform bill (S 3116) that looks to pump billions of dollars into the sector and grow the workforce. The Health Policy Commission would be tasked with establishing and monitoring an incremental primary care spending target; by 2030, the bill stipulates 15% of all healthcare spending should be focused on primary care. The legislation does not outline how healthcare dollars are supposed to be redistributed to reach that target, and the ambitious goal is to invest in primary care without raising overall spending or driving up premiums and cost-sharing. "This bill is about making health care more affordable for residents," Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement. "By increasing investment in primary care, strengthening community health centers, and expanding the pipeline of new primary care physicians, we can improve access to care while helping to bring down costs over time." Under the bill, the HPC could put entities that fail to reach the primary care spending target on a performance improvement plan, and levy escalating fines starting at $500,000 for entities that are not subsequently not making improvements. Moving primary care reimbursement away from the traditional fee-for-service structure, the bill establishes a standardized capitated payment model in which commercial insurers and the Group Insurance Commission would pay participating providers with prospective per-member, per-month lump sums. Lora Pellegrini, CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, said the bill would end up raising costs for employers, consumers and purchasers of insurance. She also said imposing Medicaid-based payment models on commercial insurers "risks increasing costs, limiting flexibility, and disrupting existing value-based payment arrangements and innovative care delivery models." Leigh Simons, vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, said the primary care sector has been hamstrung by reimbursements "at a loss", administrative burdens and workforce constraints. "We look forward to engaging with the legislature to ensure those systemic barriers remain at the center of primary care reform debates, while urging serious caution around measures that would unintentionally weaken our local healthcare system even further – especially with the major disruptions of federal policy changes only beginning to be felt," Simons said. "That includes measures that would inadvertently layer on even more complexity, overlook the innovation and investments already in motion, and replace the critical flexibility hospitals need to treat patients with a one-size-fits-all approach that discounts the unique nature of each organization and population." (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

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

JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISING: Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus hosts a Juneteenth flag raising. Program includes Reps. Vargas, Williams, Tyler and Fluker-Reid, Sen. Miranda, Pastor James Wade, and Gov. Healey. Keniqua Smith will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and Poet Laureate Regie Gibson will also perform. Senate President Spilka also attends. (Thursday, 11 a.m., State House Steps | More Info)

INTERN SEMINAR: Matt Boger, director of government relations for New England Donor Services, is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium)

HOUSING COMMITTEE: Housing Committee holds a hearing on a Rep. Moakley (H 5447) bill dealing with West Tisbury's affordable housing trust fund, and a by-request bill from Rep. Sangiolo (H 5314) that would allow residents in co-owned buildings with two units to petition Land Court to convert them into condos. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | More Info and Livestream)

INTERN SEMINAR: Ellen Quinn, deputy chief of intergovernmental relations in the City of Boston for Mayor Michelle Wu, is the guest at a seminar for State House interns. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)

Friday, June 19, 2026

SCOTLAND VS. MOROCCO: Scotland and Morocco face off in a FIFA World Cup match. (Friday, 6 p.m., "Boston Stadium," 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough | More Info)

LEGISLATIVE OFFICES CLOSED: Senate and House offices are closed in observance of Juneteenth. (Friday)

CCC DEADLINE: Under a new cannabis law, the Cannabis Control Commission has a Friday deadline to amend certain regulations, including to reflect a new retailer license cap – which was raised from three licenses to six – and begin accepting applications. (Friday)

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