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Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Ron Mariano, and Gov. Charlie Baker await questions from the press after their private huddle Monday afternoon in the Senate Reading Room. State House News Service reports that the Baker is increasingly taking to Twitter to gather support for his agenda, despite his ‘lame duck’ status. [Sam Doran/SHNS]
FRANKLIN WEEK AHEAD
Monday, March 7
4:30pm
6:00pm
7:00pm
Tuesday, March 8
Design Review Commission Meeting
7:00pm
Wednesday, March 9
6:30pm
Thursday, March 10
Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting
6:30pm
7:30pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
With the COVID-19 pandemic's two-year anniversary approaching, legislative leaders late Friday lifted the mask mandate and proof-of-vaccination-or-negative-test requirement for entry into the State House, starting on Monday. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka cited a "steady decline in COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations" in making their announcement. "While some individuals may choose to continue to wear masks, this will no longer be a requirement but rather an individual's choice based on their preference and level of risk," they said. The announcement came as public health officials on Friday reported 900 newly confirmed COVID cases, a 1.82 percent seven-day positivity rate, 345 patients hospitalized for COVID, and 23 new, confirmed deaths. At this point deep into the public health crisis that has featured spikes and reprieves, few would have thought that oversight reforms targeting the state's two long-term care facilities for veterans would remain as unfinished business. But that is the case as the Senate gets ready to pass its approach to upgrading the management and oversight of the Chelsea and Holyoke soldiers' homes. Gov. Charlie Baker, whose administration has come under fire for the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke home, put his reform proposal on the table back in June 2020, but legislators have been slow to tackle the subject. The House approved its bill on Feb. 10, and the Senate appears poised to take a different approach with its bill, setting up the likelihood that details of a final compromise proposal, if one is reached, will need to come from a six-member conference committee. Senators are set to take up their bill (S 2739) on Thursday, with amendments due by Monday afternoon. "The Soldiers' Homes have long suffered from gaps in accountability and a confused chain of command, factors which left it unable to deal with a crisis like the one we saw with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic," said bill sponsor Sen. Michael Rush (D-Boston). "The language the Senate will take up tightens these gaps, enhances the level of oversight by elevating the Secretary of Veterans' Services to a cabinet level position, and creates a stronger governing structure that supports our veterans and provides high quality care." With less than five months remaining for formal sessions this year, activity is picking up but the branches are holding formal sessions only about once per week, if that. House leaders are frustrated by the lack of Senate engagement on a sports betting legalization bill, while Senate leaders are disappointed that the House hasn't signaled plans to tackle prescription drug costs and access to behavioral health services, the topics of Senate-approved bills. The House plans a formal session on Wednesday afternoon with an agenda that appears still under development.
Storylines in Progress ... Meteorological winter is over and sun angles are shifting, but lawmakers have shown little interest in acting quickly on an annual Chapter 90 bill to pay for local road projects and repairs ... While legislators rework Gov. Baker's $48.5 billion budget, with a House proposal due out in just over a month, Baker has tucked some time-sensitive matters into a $2.4 billion supplemental budget that lawmakers might need to tackle sooner rather than later ... The debate over energy policy, emissions reductions and offshore wind sector support shifted to the Senate this week after the House signed off on a top priority of Speaker Ron Mariano ... Gov. Baker jetted off to Utah on Friday for a family vacation that will take him out of the local mix next week. Back home, the wait continues for a transportation bond bill he highlighted in his State of the Commonwealth address in January as essential to the state's efforts to maximize available federal infrastructure funding, and a health care reform bill that he started promoting last September ... A couple of top state officials are departing next week, with Lottery chief Mike Sweeney and Early Education and Care Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy both eyeing the exits on Tuesday ... U.S. senators on Tuesday plan to take up Framingham Rep. Maria Robinson's nomination to a federal energy post, potentially teeing up another mid-term departure from the House ...
Sunday, March 6, 2022
BAKER ON 4: In the second half of his pre-taped interview with Jon Keller, Gov. Baker talks about his relationship with the state and national GOP, his decision not to seek a third term, and the race to succeed him. First portion of the interview aired last weekend. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
Monday, March 7, 2022
CANNABIS ADVISORY -- PUBLIC HEALTH: Cannabis Advisory Board's Public Health Subcommittee meets. The meeting agenda calls for a discussion of and vote on unspecified recommendations. The Cannabis Advisory Board makes non-binding recommendations on cannabis policy to the Cannabis Control Commission. (Monday, 10 a.m., More Info)
FISCAL 2023 BUDGET HEARING - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: Lawmakers dive into proposed state spending on a suite of health and human services offices at the latest Joint Ways and Means Committee virtual hearing on Gov. Baker's $45.8 billion fiscal 2023 state budget (H 2). The hearing will feature testimony from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Office of Medicaid, which could delve into one of the more critical aspects of Baker's budget, which provides $25.78 billion for EOHHS, excluding supplemental payments to hospitals. That represents a $709 million, or 3 percent decrease from this year's state budget, a major change that the administration says will be "driven by the incorporation of the anticipated end of the federal Public Health Emergency, which will result in a significant gross spending decrease in the MassHealth program as routine redeterminations resume and caseloads decrease from all-time highs." MassHealth currently offers health care coverage to about 2.1 million people. Testimony is also anticipated from the Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, Department of Children and Families, Department of Developmental Services, Center for Health Information and Analysis, and Elder Affairs. The governor's budget called for an $809 million appropriation for the Department of Public Health, which the administration says "maintains all core programs and services while consolidating state appropriations to increase administrative and fiscal flexibility for more effective management during public health crises." The committee plans a series of hearings over the coming weeks as the House and Senate gear up to roll out and debate their own budget bills in April and May, respectively. (Monday, 10 a.m., More Information)
HOUSE, SENATE MEET: House and Senate meet in informal sessions, which are lightly attended by lawmakers. (Monday, 11 a.m., House and Senate Chambers)
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT TRUST FUND: Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board meets via conference call. The agenda calls for a report related to the Baby Bonds Task Force and a report on the BabySteps program. Treasurer Goldberg chairs. Agenda (Monday, 1 p.m., email sarah.safi@tre.state.ma.us or call (857) 275-4686 for access)
SOLDIERS' HOME BILL AMENDMENT DEADLINE: Senators face a deadline to file amendments to legislation overhauling oversight and management of the Holyoke' Soldiers Home and Chelsea Soldiers' Home (S 2739). The bill, which varies from a House-approved version in several major aspects, builds on the recommendations a legislative commission made after investigating the spring 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in the Holyoke facility that led to the deaths of at least 76 veteran residents. (Monday, 2 p.m.)
STRETCH CODE HEARING -- CENTRAL REGION: Department of Energy Resources holds a virtual public hearing to receive comments from people in the central part of the state on its straw proposal for a stretch code update and a new municipal opt-in specialized stretch code that it released Feb. 8. Updating the existing stretch code and creating a new net-zero specialized stretch code for cities and towns to adopt is one of the more technical but meaningful steps Massachusetts is planning to take to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the century. Residential and commercial building energy consumption was responsible for about 27 percent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions in 2017. Last year's climate law requires the new net-zero code be in place by the end of 2022. The Baker administration hopes the updates will encourage builders to shift away from fossil fuel heating in favor of electrification. (Monday, 3 p.m., More Info)
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
REP. ROBINSON NOMINATION HEARING: Framingham Rep. Maria Robinson's nomination to a federal job is on the agenda at a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources business meeting. The committee, which interviewed Robinson on Feb. 8, plans to take up the pending nomination alongside four others it is reviewing. Robinson is listed last on the agenda following other nominees. President Joe Biden tapped Robinson to serve as assistant secretary in the Office of Electricity, and if she is confirmed to that post, she is poised to join a steady stream of representatives heading for the exits mid-term for new jobs. Four seats in the House remain vacant following resignations. The U.S. Senate committee will livestream the meeting online. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 366, 50 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, D.C.)
CIVIL LEGAL AID FUNDING: Reps. Balser and Day hold virtual "Brown Bag Budget Briefing" for fellow House members and staff about funding for civil legal aid in the fiscal 2023 budget (Line Item 0321-1600). Baker proposed no increase in the account, holding it at $35 million, which is up from the $29 million spent in fiscal 2021. "All panelists will focus on their current work in response to myriad civil legal issues faced by low-income people, highlighting those impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic," according to the Mass. Legal Assistance Corporation. Panelists include MLAC executive director Lynne Parker, Equal Justice Coalition chair Louis Tompros, and attorneys specializing in housing, employment/unemployment insurance, and family law. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Zoom)
UMASS AMHERST TUITION PROTEST: Students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst rally against potential tuition and fee increases for next year. UMass Amherst's website lists estimated tuition and fees for 2022-2023 as $16,834 for Massachusetts residents and $38,053 for out-of-state students, while this year's levels are $16,439 and $36,964 respectively. A tuition increase next year would come after two years of annual tuition freezes for in-state students, though out-of-state students at UMass Amherst did have a 1.5 percent increase for 2021-2022. Event is organized by the Center for Education & Policy Advocacy (CEPA) at UMass Amherst, with campus and community partners. Organizers say Sen. Comerford and Rep. Gentile will attend to hear from students. The rally also aims to draw attention to a higher education funding bill (H 1339, S 829) that is still before the Higher Education Committee, with a May 4 deadline for action. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Outside the student union, UMass Amherst)
STATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight holds a virtual hearing on two bills, including Sen. O'Connor's legislation (S 2718) ordering the governor to "annually issue a proclamation setting apart the eleventh day of September as the September 11th Day of Remembrance in recognition of the loss of life and service of first responders at the World Trade Center in New York City, New York on September 11, 2001, and recommending that said day be observed in an appropriate manner by the people." The committee will also accept testimony on a Sen. Pacheco bill (S 2705) related to Taunton's wastewater and sewer contracts. The hearing notice says the chairs "may schedule" an executive session to coincide with the hearing. Committee co-chair Sen. Pacheco this week said that the more than four dozen bills still being considered in committee, under extension orders, include those dealing with open meeting and public record laws. He said the committee is working with the attorney general's office and the inspector general's office on the bills, which now have an April 15 reporting deadline. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., More Info)
STRETCH CODE HEARING -- SOUTHEASTERN REGION: Department of Energy Resources holds a virtual public hearing to receive comments from people in the southeastern part of the state on its straw proposal for a stretch code update and a new municipal opt-in specialized stretch code that it released Feb. 8. Updating the existing stretch code and creating a new net-zero specialized stretch code for cities and towns to adopt is one of the more technical but meaningful steps Massachusetts is planning to take to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the century. Residential and commercial building energy consumption was responsible for about 27 percent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions in 2017. Last year's climate law requires the new net-zero code be in place by the end of 2022. The Baker administration hopes the updates will encourage builders to shift away from fossil fuel heating in favor of electrification. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., More Info)
LEAD STRATEGY HEARING: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 1 hosts a New England-focused public listening session on the agency's Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities. EPA said its draft strategy "lays out approaches to strengthen public health protections, address legacy lead contamination for communities with the greatest exposures and promote environmental justice." EPA Regional Administrator David Cash pointed out that the issue is "especially important in New England where a high percentage of housing stock was built before 1978 when lead paint was banned." (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Registration)
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL: Public Health Council meets remotely, with plans to hear an update from the Office of Problem Gambling Services, an update on the Vaccine Equity Initiative and new results from the COVID-19 Community Impact Survey. The council is also slated to vote on regulatory amendments around the reporting of infectious diseases dangerous to the public health. The regulations speak to unprotected exposures to infectious diseases experienced by EMTs, first responders and correction officers, and the amendment adds COVID-19 and Hepatitis D to the list of diseases covered by the regulations. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Agenda and Access)
RGGI AUCTION: The 11 states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will hold the 55th quarterly carbon dioxide allowance auction. The compact among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia is designed to cap and reduce carbon emissions from the power sector. The compact states will offer for sale 21,761,269 carbon dioxide allowances, using the minimum reserve price of $2.44 established for 2022. This auction will also include a cost containment reserve of 11,611,278 allowances that will be accessed if the interim clearing price exceeds the trigger price of $13.91, RGGI said. Qualification applications and a notice of intent to bid were due in January. Auction results will be posted at www.rggi.org on March 11. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Notice)
MASSDOT FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE: Department of Transportation Board of Directors Finance and Audit Subcommittee hosts its monthly meeting. The agenda will be posted online ahead of the meeting. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Livestream)
TAX TAKINGS WEBINAR: Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services hosts a webinar on addressing uncollected tax receivables. Topics will include "perfecting" a lien and issuing demand letters, publishing a public notice, entering into partial payment agreements, and the roles of the treasurer, collector, assessor, and accountant/auditor offices in the process. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Registration)
MIRA DIRECTOR MEET-AND-GREET: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition holds a virtual meet-and-greet with its new executive director, Liz Sweet. Sweet, an attorney who has advocated for immigrants for more than 18 years, took the helm of MIRA after former executive director Eva Millona joined the Biden administration as assistant secretary for partnership and engagement at the Department of Homeland Security. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., RSVP)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT BOARD: Governor's Council holds back-to-back public hearings on two nominations to the Industrial Accident Board. Gov. Baker on Feb. 2 nominated Jamie Spiller Kaplan (10 a.m.) and Stephen Murray (11 a.m.) to serve as administrative judges on the IAB. Murray is an associate at Murray Law Office in Milton. Spiller Kaplan, a partner at Wellesley-based Chartwell Law, ran former Rep. Claire Cronin's first House campaign and spent a year as a Plymouth County prosecutor. According to campaign finance records, a Jamie Spiller employed by Chartwell donated $250 to Lt. Gov. Polito on Sept. 1 of last year. Council members have in the past raised questions at hearings about campaign donations given close to the time of a nominee's application. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room 157)
ARC/MDDC ANNUAL RECEPTION: The Arc of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council host their annual legislative reception. The disability community saw many of its challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and is now facing what some have said is an extreme staffing crisis that curtails access to and quality of care. Organizers said the event will "reflect on what our community has endured and how the Massachusetts Legislature and Administration has responded to the crisis. We will also look ahead as we unite together for change to serve all members of our community equitably." MDDC will honor Sen. Friedman and The Arc will recognize Rep. Finn as legislators of the year. Senate President Spilka plans to present the award to Friedman. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Registration)
HOUSE FORMAL SESSION: The House plans to meet in a formal session. In declaring plans for Wednesday's formal, Speaker Mariano's office late Friday did not mention any specific bill that might draw attention, and advised reps to be ready to take up bills on the calendar or arriving from the Senate. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS VIRTUALLY: Senate Democrats meet in a closed virtual caucus one day before a scheduled formal session to consider a soldiers' home oversight reform bill. (Wednesday, 11 a.m.)
MUNICIPAL FINANCE OVERSIGHT BOARD: Municipal Finance Oversight Board meets virtually to hear an $8.1 million bond request from the city of Springfield to cover vehicles; an $18 million bond request from the city of Lynn for Lynn Vocational Technical Institute School Repair and land acquisitions; and a $41 million bond request from the city of New Bedford to fund a range of investments including wastewater system improvements, pumping stations, taxiway airport reconstruction, and fire trucks. State law allows cities, towns and school districts to access lower interest rates on locally issued bonds by tapping into the state's credit rating and asking state officials to pay the debt service directly from a pot of local aid. Auditor Bump chairs. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Registration)
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Transportation holds a virtual hearing on Gov. Baker's annual Chapter 90 local road funding bill (H 4358). Baker again has proposed $200 million for the state Chapter 90 road and bridge program, which splits funding among 351 cities and towns. However, Baker's most recent supplemental budget bill would dole out an additional $100 million in Chapter 90 funding that cities and towns rely upon for road projects. Other bills on the agenda include Sen. Comerford's S 2733 prohibiting video recording or broadcasting while driving, Rep. Giffords' H 4437 relative to animal safety in motor vehicles aka Mollie's Law, and Rep. Barrett's H 852 establishing time limits for idling trains. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., More Info)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - ASSEMBLY: Governor's Council could potentially hold an assembly to take votes on two judicial nominations: attorney Karin Bell to the Superior Court and attorney Tina Cafaro to the District Court. Scheduling of a meeting was not finalized as of Friday. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Room 157)
MERIT RATING BOARD MEETS: Merit Rating Board, which oversees driving records at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, hosts a meeting. The agenda will be posted online ahead of the meeting. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - DISTRICT COURT: In its third hearing of the day, the Governor's Council interviews Joseph Hurley III, an assistant clerk in the Norfolk County Superior Court who was nominated Feb. 9 by Gov. Baker as a circuit justice on the District Court bench. Hurley has worked as an assistant clerk in Norfolk County for 24 years, according to the governor's office, prior to which he was the head executive assistant register at the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds, and spent a year as a Norfolk County prosecutor in the early '90s. He coaches youth lacrosse in Braintree and volunteers for the Special Needs Golf Program at Braintree Municipal Golf Course, according to the governor's office. Hurley attended Saint Michael's College and Suffolk Law. (Wednesday, 1:15 p.m., Room 157)
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds a virtual hearing on two late-filed bills: Rep. Ultrino's H 4476 relative to regulation of hydrofluorocarbons substitutes and a bill -- H 4448 providing for greater police transparency -- that Rep. Holmes filed by request. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., More Info)
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING WEBINAR: Rennie Center and Transforming Education leads a webinar titled, "SEL in a Time of Crisis and Uncertainty" to help practitioners incorporate social-emotional learning strategies that affirm the experiences of students and educators as they continue to grapple with the pandemic's challenges. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Registration)
BOSTON BOARD OF HEALTH: Boston Board of Health meets, with an agenda that includes discussion of the fiscal 2023 budget and COVID-19 updates and discussion. When Mayor Wu and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Bisola Ojikutu announced on March 1 that the city would lift its indoor mask mandate on March 5, they said the board's next meeting would feature updates on masks in schools, where face-coverings currently remain required. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)
FOREST HILLS ACCESSIBILITY MEETING: MBTA hosts a virtual public meeting to discuss accessibility improvements at the Forest Hills station. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
BAYSTATE FRANKLIN NURSES FORUM: Registered nurses at Baystate Franklin Medical Center represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association speak about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and voice their concerns about the approach Baystate Health has taken during contract negotiations. Greenfield City Council President Sheila Gilmour and Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation host the event. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Access Information)
Thursday, March 10, 2022
FUTURE OF HIGHER ED: Boston Business Journal hosts an in-person panel discussion on the future of higher education, with Bentley University President E. LaBrent Chrite, interim Roxbury Community College President Jackie Jenkins-Scott and Babson College President Stephen Spinelli Jr. Hilary Burns, higher education editor for The Business Journals, moderates. Tickets are $75 and BBJ requires attendees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (Thursday, 7:30 a.m., Seaport Hotel Boston, 1 Seaport Ln., Boston | Tickets)
DIEHL IN THE BERKSHIRES: Republican candidate for governor Geoff Diehl launches his "Berkshires to Boston" tour with a day in Western Massachusetts. Diehl plans an 8 a.m. breakfast at Joe's Diner in Lee, followed by a discussion with business owners, a photo stop at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, and a tour of the Farmhouse Deli factory. At noon, Diehl will have lunch at the Red Lion Inn then talk with local media, hold a 3 p.m. town hall at the American Legion in Dalton and wrap the day up at Jack's Hot Dog Stand in North Adams. (Thursday, 8 a.m., 85 Center St., Lee | 9:30 a.m., Lee Chamber of Commerce, 3 Park Pl., Lee | 11 a.m,, 14 Castle St., Great Barrington | 11:30 a.m., Tat's Farms, 119 Park St. North, Great Barrington | 12 p.m., Red Lion Inn, 30 Main St., Stockbridge | 3 p.m., American Legion, 258 North St., Dalton | 4:30 p.m., 12 Eagle St., North Adams)
CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION: Cannabis Control Commission holds its March meeting to process scores of license renewals, provisional license approvals and changes of ownership. The commission is also expected to get an update on the application review process and recent industry trends from Executive Director Shawn Collins. Most CCC meetings also include policy or research discussions. (Thursday, 10 a.m., TBA)
HOUSE: The House plans to meet in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING MEETING: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing to provide an opportunity for public feedback and questions on recent outdoor advertising applications. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Zoom)
SENATE FORMAL: Senate meets in a full formal session with plans to take up a bill overhauling oversight and management of the state-run soldiers' homes in Holyoke and Chelsea (S 2739). The bill would elevate the secretary of veterans' services to a Cabinet-level position, require superintendents at each of the two facilities to be a licensed nursing home administrator, create ombudsman roles to oversee the homes, and launch a new statewide advisory council. A legislative panel recommended many of the reforms last fall after investigating the deadly spring 2020 COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, where at least 76 veteran residents died. The bill Senate leadership teed up varies from a version the House approved in February (H 4441) in several key aspects. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber)
CODMAN YARD MEETING: MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Pena and members of the T's Red Line Transformation team host a virtual public meeting to discuss planned improvements at Codman Yard. The project will expand the facility where Red Line vehicles are stored to help transition to a brand-new fleet while bringing the yard to a state of good repair. More information (Thursday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
JCRC, MAJF LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION: Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and Mass Association of Jewish Federations hold a virtual legislative reception to "honor outstanding public officials who have demonstrated their commitment to our community's priorities." This year's honorees include Sen. Friedman, Rep. Balser, Cambridge City Councilor Patricia Nolan, Zachary Crowley of Sen. Lewis' office, Haley Arnold of Gov. Baker's office, and Grace Robinson, director of operations for Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Registration)
Friday, March 11, 2022
JANUARY, REVISED 2021 UNEMPLOYMENT DATA RELEASE: Labor officials release Massachusetts unemployment rate and jobs data for January as well as revised data for calendar year 2021. Federal officials announced Friday that U.S. employers added 678,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.8 percent, a strong showing as public life works to recover from two years of pandemic impacts and the wintertime omicron surge. (Friday)
Saturday, March 12, 2022
DEM CAUCUS SEASON ENDS: The five-week Democratic caucus season comes to an end, checking off another major milestone along the way to the 2022 elections. By the March 12 deadline to complete town and ward caucuses, Democrats across Massachusetts will have selected delegates to represent them at the party's annual convention, scheduled to take place June 3 and June 4 at Worcester's DCU Center. The nearly 4,000 delegates, plus add-on delegates brought into the fold later to ensure the field is representative of the state's population, will vote at the convention on candidates seeking statewide offices, including the open races for governor, lieutenant governor, auditor and attorney general. Candidates need to get support from at least 15 percent of delegates to make the primary ballot, a threshold designed to ensure they have a baseline level of support while vying to represent the party in the general election, and any candidate that earns a majority of delegate votes will earn the Democratic Party's official endorsement. (Saturday, March 12)
