People, Power, and Politcs

Days after her opponent called for suspension of the gas tax, Gov. Maura Healey proposed a two-month gas tax holiday Tuesday, saying she'll put election-season legislation before lawmakers to accomplish her goal. The proposal to suspend Massachusetts' 24-cent-per-gallon tax could set up a difficult fight over a tax that Beacon Hill lawmakers have repeatedly declined to suspend during periods of soaring gas prices, and House Speaker Ron Mariano indicated this week he has no desire to touch. Mariano on Monday called suspending the gas tax "fiscally irresponsible" because, he said, there is "no end to the war in sight," referring to the war with Iran that began over the winter and has led to significantly higher gas and other prices.

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!

Monday is full of meetings, the rest of the week not so many.
The Town Administrator Ad-hoc evaluation continues its work with a session early Monday morning.
The Franklin Cultural Council, the Agricultural Commission, and the 250th historical significance subcommittee all meet Monday evening.
The major meeting of the week is the Planning Board session also Monday night. This is the start of the formal process for the Depot Plaza development. Should it be 4 stories, should it have additional parking, what should it look like are likely among the topics for discussion.
Given the track record with other development proposals, the process starts but won't finish in one night. It is likely to take several months to reach a conclusion.
The School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday.
There is a continuation of a Pole Petition hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet and review one proposal on Thursday.
The Commission on Disability has a meeting for the record to allow the membership to participate in the Senior Expo on Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM.
The Farmers Market closes out the week Friday afternoon. Having been canceled recently, folks will be looking to stock 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 9/25/26 8:00 PM ***
Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee MeetingMonday, September 28 Time: 9:30 AMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2535
Franklin Cultural CouncilMonday, September 28 Time: 7:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2529
Franklin Agricultural CommitteeMonday, September 28 Time: 7:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2527
Planning Board MeetingMonday, September 28 Time: 7:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2532
250th Historical Significance subcommitteeMonday, September 28 Time: 7:30 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282026-2533
Franklin School Committee Community Relations SubcommitteeTuesday, September 29, 2026. Time: 7:00 PMhttps://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/School-Committee-35/?#_09292026-2536
Pole Petition HearingWednesday, September 30 Time: 1:00 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09302026-2508
ZBA MeetingThursday, October 1 Time: 7:30 PMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10012026-2518
Franklin Commission on Disability MeetingFriday, October 2nd Time: 9:00 AMhttps://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022026-2520

*** Looking back at the week that was ***
** FHS Sports
FHS Boys soccer game on Tuesday https://www.youtube.com/live/sf07LkVW3-g?si=HGONzEg3g3zgRgGc
FHS Girls varsity soccer on Fridayhttps://www.youtube.com/live/dXol3S9J_ys?si=rsuiCLnw96OcenVn
FHS football game on Friday https://www.youtube.com/live/ug-3uHdxUTc?si=Nn39ZIkhWsXXuwEf**
** All access
Frank Falvey in Frank presents interviews independent candidate for Norfolk County District Attorney https://youtu.be/THr9G_Yr8PU?si=EazRDBMFNZLm9RrH
The first episode of FM Journal was broadcast this week and is available for replayhttps://youtu.be/YVWdEy2kLak?si=akW-jdByqJZsjXlk
** On the radio on demand/podcast front
The October event highlights at the Senior Centerhttps://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/mary-jillian-reveal-special-events.html
And at the Library https://youtu.be/aJDQ-NUiHUk
The Senior Center scribblers or Writers Group has a new episodehttps://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/09/senior-story-hour-wfpr-episode-111.html
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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

On the other side of storm cleanup, a Red-Sox Yankees playoff matchup and a Green Line shutdown lies debate month, and the beginning of voting on nine ballot questions and statewide and legislative races. Military and overseas ballots were sent out last week, according to Secretary of State William Galvin's office, and some of those voters have already returned ballots. Mail-in ballots are currently being printed and delivered to cities and towns through the end of next week, with clerks planning to mail them to voters as soon as they receive their deliveries. Early in-person voting begins Saturday, Oct. 17, and the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 elections is Saturday, Oct. 24. Democrats are positioned to retain their big numerical advantage in the Legislature and a few Republicans are making spirited attempts to break the Democratic grip on statewide offices. Mike Minogue has been pouring his personal fortune into his bid to unseat Gov. Maura Healey, blanketing the state with TV and social media ads that are boosting his name recognition and drawing charges from Healey that he is trying to buy the election. Minogue has put a premium on his promise to make Massachusetts more affordable and Healey this week followed him in calling for gas tax relief, tucking a two-month gas tax holiday plan into a $2.24 billion spending bill that's now before the House Ways and Means Committee. Legislators are under similar pressure to address the rising costs that are burdening residents and businesses. The governor included a proposal to cap ticket resale prices and fees in her bill, but there's no timeline for lawmakers to take up that legislation. The bill aims to close the books on fiscal 2026 and the state comptroller likes to have the closeout budget completed in September to meet a statutory filing deadline of Oct. 31, but Democrat lawmakers have traditionally not treated that as a serious deadline. Some lawmakers are probably eager to approve economic development, energy affordability and ticketing and gas tax changes that could help both their constituents and their own election odds. Others oppose suspending the gas tax and would probably prefer not to vote against that idea before the election. House Speaker Ron Mariano this week wouldn't put a timeline for action on any of the dozen bills approved by the House and Senate but sitting before Democrat-controlled conference committees. "It's a process of negotiations. You exchange proposals till you come to an agreement on language. There's no timeframe on it," Mariano told reporters. "I've had conference committees go on for more than one session. I don't know where you get the idea that there's some sort of time limit on this." This two-year session ends Jan. 5, 2027.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026

QUESTION 3 ON KELLER: Political analyst Jon Keller hosts a mini debate on Question 3, the all-party primaries ballot measure, on his weekly talk segment "Keller at Large." Danielle Allen of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy will argue for a "yes" vote," while Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan of Voter Rights MA will push for the "no" vote. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

KOH ON NBC: Democratic candidate for the Sixth Congressional District Dan Koh joins NBC 10 reporter Matt Prichard on the network's weekly "@ ISSUE" segment. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)

WARNOCK SERMON: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat and senior pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, preaches at the Sunday worship service of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ annual meeting. The service is free, but advance registration is required and spots are limited. (Sunday, 10 a.m., DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester)

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

Monday, Sept. 28, 2026

AG BOARD: Board of Agriculture meets. Agenda includes a presentation about the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, focused on listening sessions and labor housing policy updates. (Monday, 10 a.m., The Big E, Massachusetts Building, 1305 Hampden Ave., West Springfield | Agenda and Zoom)

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

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

Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026

HIGHER ED BOARD: Board of Higher Education meets. Agenda includes remarks from Education Secretary Zrike and board Chair Chris Gabrieli. Items on the agenda deal with approving Fitchburg State University's plan to award a bachelor's of science in finance and Mount Wachusett Community College's plan to award an associate of science in hybrid/electric vehicles, plus approving the commissioner's salary adjustment. José Luis Santos is slated to become interim commissioner of higher education on Oct. 1. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

PERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND CVI AWARENESS: Perkins School for the Blind holds a CVI - Cortical or Cerebral Visual Impairment - Awareness Day. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Great Hall | Registration and More Info)

MATIAS AT CREDA: Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias discusses the Healey administration's housing agenda and legislative and regulatory changes aimed at speeding up housing production. CREDA Massachusetts, formerly NAIOP, hosts. The administration has set a statewide goal of creating 222,000 new housing units by 2035. Matias is expected to address how the changes will affect developers, municipalities, and communities, followed by a moderated discussion with CREDA Massachusetts CEO Tamara Small. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Goulston & Storrs, 1 Post Office Square, Boston | Register)

AI BRANDING WEBINAR: Speakers from Bank of America discuss how small business owners and entrepreneurs can use artificial intelligence tools to strengthen their brands, as part of the Small Business Strong Learning Series. Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosts. Media asked to RSVP to mholloway@bostonchamber.com or cbaines@bostonchamber.com. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., More Info)

UTILITY INFLUENCE DASHBOARD: Vick Mohanka, director of Sierra Club Massachusetts, and Scotia Hille, executive director of Act On Mass, join Mass Power Forward to launch a dashboard tracking campaign donations from utility companies and their senior employees. Mass Power Forward and the Sierra Club lead a campaign that pushes to ban utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying and other shareholder expenses and to halt natural gas infrastructure expansion near environmental justice communities. The launch comes as energy affordability remains a top-of-mind issue on Beacon Hill and around the state. Legislation designed to help with affordability remains holed up in a Democrat-controlled conference committee. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., State House steps)

GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER SMALL BIZ AI WEBINAR: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Bank of America host "Creating a Brand and the Power of AI," a free webinar that's part of the group's Small Business Strong Learning Series. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Registration)

'PUBLIC CHARGE' POLICY BRIEFING: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition holds a virtual briefing about the effects of a federal regulation that took effect Sept. 18, which abolished a 2022 'public charge' rule. The policy gives immigration officials more freedom while making a public charge determination – a law allowing federal officials to deny visa or green card applications if they determine an applicant is likely to depend on some government benefits. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)

STAND AGAINST RACISM: Attorney General Campbell and U.S. Rep. McGovern join Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Superintendent Brian Allen, and students from the district's high schools for the launch of Worcester Public Schools' Stand Against Racism campaign. Allen soft-launched the campaign at the start of the school year in response to incidents targeting student athletes at away games. Worcester Public Schools runs the campaign with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts and the NAACP of Worcester. Students are expected to recite the campaign's pledge. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Doherty Memorial High School auditorium, 299 Highland St., Worcester | More Info)

SPINAL CORD INJURY: Spinal Cord Injury Advisory Board meets. Agenda topics include the Department of Public Health's Spinal Cord Injury Program and the role of the advisory board. (Tuesday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER SMALL BIZ DISASTER: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Verizon co-host an event titled "Empowering Cities: Small Business Disaster Resilience in Boston" meant to help small businesses prepare and handle disruptions. There will be a panel discussion with speakers including: Boston's chief climate officer Brian Swett, Verizon's senior manager for responsible business Courtney Schoon and vice president of global resilience for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Rob Glenn. (Tuesday, 2:45 p.m., Suite 1700 of 265 Franklin St., Boston | Registration and More Info)

PETER J. GOMES SERVICE AWARD: U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton honors five honorees with the 11th annual Peter J. Gomes Service Award. Moulton created the award in 2016 to recognize volunteer work and community contributions across the 6th Congressional District. This year's honorees are: Prataap Patrose of Gloucester, Lorraine Sanborn of Saugus, Brigadier General Andrea Gayle-Bennett of Lynn, Jo Hamel of Amesbury and Pam Kentley of Salem. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Second Floor of St. Joseph Hall at 160 Derby St., Salem)

TAUNTON BRIDGE PRESERVATION: MassDOT hosts a virtual design public hearing to present the proposed design for a project that consists of preservation of the Plain Street Bridge over the Taunton River. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

SPRINGFIELD-WESTER SPRINGFIELD PROJECT: MassDOT hosts a design public informational meeting to discuss the proposed project that will replace the existing North End Bridge with a new structure between Springfield and West Springfield. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Ave., Springfield | More Info)

NANTUCKET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT hosts a virtual design public hearing to present the proposed design for the reconstruction of the Milestone Road rotary as a modern roundabout to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection of Milestone Road, Orange Street, Sparks Avenue, and Old South Road in Nantucket. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026

RALLY AGAINST REPEAL OF NUCLEAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT GUARDRAILS: Commonwealth Coalition for Democracy and Safe Energy plans to hold a rally at the New England Regional Nuclear Policy Summit that Gov. Healey’s office is hosting. The group is advocating against a proposed repeal of Chapter 503 – a 1982 voter law requiring any new nuclear power plant to get approval from a majority of voters via a ballot initiative - that Healey included in her energy legislation and that the House adopted in its energy bill (H 5175). (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Outside the UMass Lowell Meehan Student Center at 100 Meehan Way, Lowell)

CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure accepts written testimony on a pair of bills dealing with alcohol licenses in Avon and Rutland. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources accepts written testimony on a Sen. Feeney bill dealing with sewer services in Foxborough. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | More Info)

NUCLEAR ENERGY SUMMIT: Gov. Healey's office holds the 2026 New England Governors Nuclear Energy Summit where leaders from the other New England states convene to "explore the role advanced nuclear and fusion energy can play in New England’s energy future, including its potential to increase energy supply and lower electricity bills," according to a press release. Experts in the field are scheduled to participate and discuss "safety, regulatory oversight, community engagement and public trust." In March, the New England governors issued a joint statement committing to host a regional meeting as a way to assess advanced nuclear energy. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., UMass Lowell's Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy at 820 Broadway St., Lowell)

STELLWAGEN BANK ADVISORY COUNCIL: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council meets for updates on the state of the sanctuary and a review of the past year and future activities. New England's only national marine sanctuary, it sits east of Boston between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, 476-498 Hanover Street Extension, Boston | Agenda and Virtual Access)

OBESITY CARE ACCESS: Martin Luther King III joins Rep. Decker, patients, providers and advocates at an event focused on how obesity affects communities of color and the barriers patients face in accessing treatments, including medications like GLP-1s for weight loss. Massachusetts Coalition for Action on Obesity hosts. Insurers have pulled back sharply on their coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss, citing high costs. King, whose parents met in Boston, is expected to discuss health equity and access to treatment for chronic diseases. Obesity medicine specialist Kelley Gregorovic and Melinda Watman, founder and president of Weighty Decision, also speak. Media asked to RSVP to jhmurphy@issuesgroup.com. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Room 222)

RESERVOIR TOWN HALL: Water Resources Commission holds a public hearing on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's request to increase how much water they take from the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs. The MWRA has applied to the state to take an additional 20 million gallons of water per day, or 10% total, which would allow it to expand its service area to more communities. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Auditorium, Belchertown Town Hall, 2 Jabish St. | Zoom)

CABO VERDEAN CULTURAL CENTER: Special Commission on Cabo Verdean Cultural Center meets. Agenda includes subcommittee updates about communications and outreach, survey and data collection tools, and organizational development. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Access)

PALMER ROADWAY AND BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS: MassDOT hosts a virtual design public hearing to present the proposed design for a project that includes design and construction of roadway and bridge superstructures along Interstate 90 and a bridge over Interstate 90 in Palmer. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

DCR TOLLAND COMPLEX HEARING: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds an informational meeting and public hearing on the preparation of Resource Management Plans for seven properties in the Tolland Complex: Becket State Forest, C.M. Gardner State Park, Chester-Blandford State Forest, Granville State Forest, Huntington State Forest, Otis State Forest and Tolland State Forest. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Zoom Registration)

BLUE HILL AVE INVESTMENT PLAN: MBTA and Boston host a town hall to present an updated design for the Blue Hill Avenue Transportation action plan and gather public feedback. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Albert D. Holland School of Technology (Holland Tech), 60 Washington St. Dorchester | More Info)

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

MASSBUYS EXPO: Operational Services Division hosts the MASSBUYS Expo 2026, designed for statewide contractors and public purchasing and procurement officials. The event runs through 3 p.m. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Gillette Stadium, One Patriot Place, Foxborough | More Info)

INVESTORS CONFERENCE: Treasurer Goldberg speaks on a panel during the second day of the Council of Institutional Investors' three-day fall conference. (Thursday, 9 a.m., The Westin Boston Seaport District, 425 Summer St., Boston | More Info)

PANCREATIC CANCER SYMPOSIUM: Reps. Peisch and Fiola join researchers, clinicians and patient advocates at a women's health symposium on pancreatic cancer co-hosted by MassBio and the Caucus of Women Legislators. Legislation that aims to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer (H 2432 / S 1484) is a caucus priority. On the House side, that bill got favorable reports from the Public Health Committee and Health Care Financing Committee, but hasn't budged in the Ways and Means Committee since December. The Senate version got a favorable report from the Public Health Committee before senators on the Health Care Financing Committee sent it to a study order in April. According to the caucus, age-adjusted pancreatic cancer incidence among Americans under 55 rose at an average annual rate of 2.36% among women from 2001 to 2018, compared to 0.62% among men. (Thursday, 9:45 a.m., MassBioHub, Cambridge Room, 700 Technology Square, Cambridge | More Info)

OUT-OF-NETWORK COSTS: Division of Insurance hosts a listening session on out-of-network costs, in response to Gov. Healey's call for regulators to establish default payment rates. Regulators say they're interested in hearing considerations around the methodology and scope for setting a potential out-of-network default rate. "We welcome feedback on approaches for establishing and updating a rate, including potential benchmarks or indices, geographic considerations, and mechanisms for maintaining relevance over time while supporting affordability and network access to services for members/patients," the division said. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Access)

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

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Commission meets. (Thursday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

DCR STEWARDSHIP: DCR Stewardship Council's Policy Committee meets. Agenda includes a discussion of committee goals for a strategic oversight plan. (Thursday, 4 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

NORTHEAST METRO VOCATIONAL SCHOOL: Northeast Regional Vocational School holds a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new school building. Treasurer Goldberg attends. (Thursday, 5 p.m., 100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield)

SPILKA IN MAYNARD: Senate President Spilka receives the MetroWest Legal Services "Legislator of the Year" award. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Maynard)

ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH: Rep. Donato sponsors an event kicking off Italian Heritage Month. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Great Hall)

BECKET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT hosts a virtual design public hearing to present the proposed design for the bridge replacement on Quarry Road over Cushman Brook in Becket. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)

Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

MASSABILITY AI: MassAbility brings together AI and technology leaders, businesses, workforce experts and innovators to explore how AI and other emerging tech is changing the way people work. The event will dive into how AI can expand workforce participation and create new opportunities, including for people with disabilities. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Westin Waltham Boston, 70 3rd Ave., Waltham | Register)

EARLY COLLEGE: Early College Joint Committee meets. The panel is composed of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Board of Higher Education. Agenda includes discussions on Early College program updates and Gov. Healey's plan to enroll 100,000 students in Early College in 10 years, plus a fiscal 2027 budget update. (Friday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

DOR PERFORMANCE RECOGNITION: Department of Revenue holds its Performance Recognition Program awards ceremony. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Great Hall)

DCR STEWARDSHIP: DCR Stewardship Council's Stakeholders Committee meets. (Friday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)

ARTICLE V CONVENTION CONFERENCE: Legal scholars Lawrence Lessig and Michael Farris open a two-day conference at Harvard Law School on amending the U.S. Constitution through an Article V convention called by the states, a method that has never been used. Jill Lepore delivers the keynote. Organizers say the conference brings together scholars, legislators, and advocates, both supporters and skeptics, from across the political spectrum. (Friday, 4:45 p.m., Wasserstein Hall, Harvard Law School, Cambridge | Register | Schedule)

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026

ARTICLE V CONVENTION CONFERENCE: Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu joins Harvard Law scholar Lawrence Lessig for a fireside chat on the second day of a conference on amending the U.S. Constitution through an Article V convention called by the states. Former U.S. Sen. Russell Feingold sits on a panel making the case against a convention, which will cover risks and fears of a "runaway" convention. Five panels examine the history of Article V, possible amendment proposals, arguments against a convention, state and international convention models, and what a convention in 2030 might look like. Lessig closes the day in conversation with convention skeptic Laurence Tribe, followed by closing remarks from Lessig and lawyer Michael Farris. (Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m., Wasserstein Hall, Harvard Law School, Cambridge | Register | Schedule)