The Landscape With 8 days until the election is over, many elected officials are focusing on get-out-the-vote efforts in state and federal elections rather than outstanding legislative work on Beacon Hill. Across the country, early voting has been expanded because of COVID-19 and many are taking advantage of in-person early voting, with a record-breaking number showing [...]
The Landscape Frustration with the lack of action on Beacon Hill is growing. Since the end of July, advocates have called for action on racial justice, eviction moratorium and housing rights, and driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Additionally, five major pieces of legislation, including an economic development package, transportation bond legislation and a complicated health care [...]
The Landscape With 29 days to the election and the leader of the free world being treated for a virus that has killed over 1 million people around the globe, debate over the stimulus is taking a back burner – no matter how important it is to states like Massachusetts. Trump signaled his support for another [...]
The Landscape There’s a fever pitch from advocates across the state for Beacon Hill legislators and Governor Baker to get more done. COVID-19 truncated this year’s legislative cycle but, with a promise from both chamber leaders to extend session until December 31 to finish needed conference committee reports and come to terms on a months-delayed state [...]
The Landscape The impact of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s passing reverberated through the weekend, from outside the Court and in Congress through the campaign trail at to the State House. With the Roe v. Wade in very real jeopardy, Massachusetts activists are renewing their push for the Legislature to pass the ROE Act to [...]
The Landscape The majority of the Commonwealth’s schools are back in session today, whether it’s in person, distance or a hybrid model. The reopening comes after months of meetings, guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, bargaining over air quality, infrastructure and safety concerns with teachers unions, contentious votes of school committees and professional [...]
Programming Note: The Digest will be on vacation next week and will return to your inboxes on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 for a special post-primary edition SAVE THE DATE: Join us Thursday, September 17th at 8:00 am for “A Brief Recess: The Melwood Policy Series” with a dynamic inaugural panel featuring LearnLaunch CEO & former Governor [...]
The Landscape With Congress failing to finish a pandemic relief package, state leaders who traditionally decamp from Beacon Hill each election year August remain on red alert for meaningful action on critical voter priorities. Six major bills remain in conference committee, including: police reform and accountability; transportation spending; information technology investments; economic development and housing production; [...]
This Week’s Landscape A slightly more normal business week ahead Beacon Hill as the House debates a $1 billion supplemental budget on Wednesday and the Senate takes up expansive health care bills Thursday. The Speaker’s commission on recovery will meet for the first time, focusing on the financial health of health insurance providers and discussion is [...]
The Landscape Week two of national unrest, peaceful marches and protests is prompting demands for action on systemic racism in every sector of government. Today starts Phase Two of reopening. Non-essential retail businesses are allowed to open with new restrictions, as well as many other personal services. Budget writers will welcome the reopening as May’s [...]