Latest Massachusetts state government News
Massachusetts Senate approves bill to expand reliance on renewable energy
BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Senate approved a bill Tuesday aimed at expanding the adoption of renewable energy in a bid to help Massachusetts meet its climate goals, including reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Supporters say the proposal will help lower...
Running out of marijuana, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket get approval to ship pot to the islands
MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) — Martha's Vineyard was running out of pot, just as thousands of summer vacationers were starting to arrive. But on Thursday, Massachusetts regulators averted a cannabis drought by issuing an administrative order that will allow pot to be transported to Martha's...
Massachusetts high court rules voters can decide question to raise wages for tipped workers
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court has tossed out a challenge to a proposed ballot question that would raise the minimum wage businesses must pay to workers who rely on tips and permit tip pooling among both tipped and nontipped employees. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled...
Massachusetts Senate weighs tuition-free community college plan
BOSTON (AP) — A plan to create tuition-free, universal community college for all Massachusetts residents was up for discussion Tuesday as the state Senate launched debate on its proposed $57.9 billion budget for the new fiscal year. Supporters, including Democratic Senate President...
Homeless families face limits on shelter stays as Massachusetts grapples with migrant influx
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts will begin limiting how long homeless families can stay in shelters as the state continues to grapple with an influx of homeless migrants. Beginning June 1, the total length of stay will be limited to nine months, at the end of which families will be...
140,000 people did their taxes with the free IRS direct file pilot. But program's future is unclear
WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS said Friday that more than 140,000 taxpayers filed their taxes through its new direct file pilot program and participants saved roughly $5.6 million in fees they would have otherwise spent with commercial tax preparation companies. The government pilot...
Massachusetts House launches budget debate, including proposed spending on shelters, public transit
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts House leaders began debate Wednesday on a proposed $57.9 billion state budget for the 2025 fiscal year that would include $500 million for the state’s emergency shelter system and what lawmakers say is a record investment of $555 million for the beleaguered...
Editorial Roundup: New England
Portland Press Herald. April 7, 2024. Editorial: Digital privacy should not be a state-level priority A bill that would place novel limits on digital marketing in the name of consumer protection could do more harm than good. Increasingly predatory means...
Former US Rep. William Delahunt of Massachusetts has died at age 82
Longtime U.S. Rep. William D. Delahunt of Massachusetts, a Democratic stalwart who postponed his own retirement from Washington to help pass former President Barack Obama's legislative agenda, has died following a long-term illness, his family announced. Delahunt died Saturday at his...
