Politics

The Department of Public Health (DPH) released updated guidance regarding the use of masks and face coverings in the Commonwealth. Recognizing that Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates with over 84 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated and over half of adults boosted, and in light of recent …

Michael P. Norton State House News Service Starting next summer, immigrants without legal status in Massachusetts will have access to state-issued driver’s licenses thanks to a policy muscled through by lawmakers this week over Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto. The Massachusetts Senate voted 32-8 Thursday afternoon to complete the override of …

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced $13 million in grants through the Community Compact Cabinet Municipal Fiber grant program. These grants will benefit 86 municipalities and school districts across the Commonwealth, who will use the funds for the construction or completion of their municipal fiber networks to enable more efficient …

Michael P. Norton State House News Service The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday is advancing a sexting and “revenge porn” bill that is among Gov. Charlie Baker’s top legislative priorities. The bill, an amended version of Rep. Jeff Roy’s H 1859, could emerge for a vote during a …

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced its plan for a second round of $500 payments to low-income workers under the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay program, which was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Governor Baker in December 2021 as part of a $4 billion spending plan for American …

By Chris Lisinski State House News Service The public sector is feeling the strain of soaring inflation, too: officials now expect that a once-in-a-generation infrastructure overhaul in Allston will cost $300 million more than estimated, and the price of replacing the Cape Cod bridges could more than double. Outlining a …

Michael P. Norton State House News Service Proposals dealing with an open container law for marijuana, expanding access to cannabis for veterans, and host community agreements are among the 23 amendments pending to a bill on the House agenda Wednesday. House Democrats are poised to pass the bill, which aims …

Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that a “Sobriety Checkpoint” will be implemented by the Massachusetts State Police on a Public Way in Bristol County between Friday, May 13, 2022 into Saturday, May 14, 2022. The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and …

Chris Lisinski State House News Service Democrats had the edge among voters in each of four hypothetical gubernatorial matchups floated in a new poll. Emerson College Polling surveyed 848 registered voters between May 2 and May 4 and asked about possible face-offs between the top two candidates on either side: …

By Michael P. Norton State House News Service With formal sessions winding down for the year, police in Massachusetts are trying to draw attention to what they see as “stalled” bills that would provide state death benefits to first responders who die due to COVID-19 transmission that occurred in the …