MassInsider - Massachusetts Politics & Policy News

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Friday, February 28, 2025

Must-Reads

Massachusetts

Budget Chief: State's Economic Health "At Risk Of Being Upended"

State House News Service

Treating the ‘dire diagnosis’ of Massachusetts’ primary care crisis
commonwealthbeacon
For Mass. environmental groups, federal funding is now 'a gamble'
wbur
Judge says Trump's mass firing of federal employees is illegal and should be stopped
wbur
Senate plans March hearing on audit law's constitutionality
State Affairs
Massachusetts pushes back on Trump anti-DEI policies, will keep education initiatives in place
Boston Herald

National

Republicans fear their big budget win is a 2026 time bomb

Axios

Inflation Is Stalking Trump
New York Times
Inside the GOP’s debate over permanent tax cuts
punchbowl
Why Aren’t We in the Streets?
The New Yorker
Elon Musk Is South African. It Explains a Lot.
New York Times
Is your child’s 504 plan at risk? What to know about the lawsuit targeting disability protections.
Boston Globe

Today on Beacon Hill

8:30am

Framingham & Natick District Courts Annual Legislative Breakfast

Framingham District Court, 600 Concord Street, Framingham

10:00am

Black Excellence on the Hill

Great Hall & Nurses Hall, State House, Boston

News by Category

Beltway Politics

In First Few Weeks, Trump Administration Reversed Course More Than A Dozen Times
TIME

Business

This workplace benefit is helping parents — and boosting businesses. Could it backfire?
Vox Media
Sherman: GOP must help Trump make TikTok deal
Boston Herald

Cannabis

In Cambridge, a cannabis yoga class gives a toke of what’s to come
Boston Globe

Civil Rights

Education

Top Democrats defend state's DEI school policies
Salem News
Massachusetts teachers union sues over school diversity program ban
News 22 WWLP.com
Westport Dem claims ‘silence was deafening’ from biz community on MCAS ballot question
South Coast Today
Federal actions are bombarding higher ed: Here are 7 of the most impactful
MassLive
Schools receive grants for mental health services
Lowell Sun

Rodrigues Points Finger At Biz Lobby On MCAS
State House News Service
State proposal could change voke school lottery in Worcester. Here's what to know
The Gardner News

Federal

Mass. leaders push back on planned NIH funding costs
News 22 WWLP.com

Health Care

Alzheimer’s advocates push for local legislation as federal funding cuts loom
WGBH
Should MGB be allowed to build new ambulatory surgical centers?
Boston Globe
Internal investigation preceded Lawrence General Hospital CEO’s departure, board member says
Boston Globe
Paving a path to accessible health care: Amie Shei is Massachusetts' Woman of the Year 2025
Worcester Telegram
Blue Cross in Mass. reports largest-ever operating loss
Boston Business Journal

Housing

Family shelter bill won’t fix demand in New Bedford
New Bedford Light
Subscriber Exclusive Emergency shelter residents sometimes receive guidance to seal local criminal records
Boston Herald
We got the keys: unlocking housing production in Gateway Cities
MassINC
Western Mass. journalist looks at rising number of unhoused in Hampden County, new aid efforts
NEPM
Healey signs shelter reform, funding bill
State House News Service

Marshfield still mad about MTBA zoning law: Show us the money
The Patriot Ledger
Middleborough sues Healey, state over MBTA housing law requirements
Boston Globe
Security scrub of Massachusetts emergency shelters finds flaws
Boston Herald
Security consultant rules Mass. shelter system ‘safe’ but calls for changes, including ‘targeted’ policies for migrants
Boston Globe
Middleborough sues state over MBTA Communities: ‘One size does not fit all’
MassLive

Human Services

‘Game on’: Congressional oversight committee drops video ahead of sanctuary hearing featuring Boston
Boston Herald

Immigration

Insurance

Potential Medicaid cuts raise alarm for states: ‘What do Trump and the Republicans think will happen to these people?’
New York Times

Judiciary

Trump's attack on Jack Smith's legal counsel is a warning to law firms
Washington Post

Labor

Zito: Where was ’60 Minutes’ when Rust Belt jobs were cut?
Boston Herald
Stop & Shop, Teamsters reach tentative agreement
Boston Business Journal

Legislative

All three Fall River State Reps voted against requiring Massachusetts residency to stay in emergency shelter system
fallriverreporter
All Four New Bedford State Reps voted against auditing Massachusetts legislators (themselves)
newbedfordguide
All three Fall River State Reps voted against auditing Massachusetts legislators (themselves)
fallriverreporter
“Our job is not to chase social media clicks,” House Rep. says
News 22 WWLP.com
Q&A: SHNS Talks With New Rep. Tara Hong
State House News Service

State auditor rejects Senate hearing invitation
State House News Service

Local Government

Investigators find Everett mayor used his role to pocket $180K in bonuses
WGBH
Hudson Town Election to have override question: What money will pay for, plus tax impact
The Metro West Daily News
Councilor Khrystian King to make another bid for Worcester mayor
Worcester Telegram
Investigators say Everett mayor pocketed $180K in illegitimate bonuses
Boston Herald
Everett mayor ‘overpaid’ by $180,000 in so-called longevity bonuses, Mass. inspector general says
Boston Globe

Amherst again asking Legislature for home sales surtax, ranked-choice voting
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Roslindale plan envisions walkable area that could be replicated across Boston
MassLive

Politics

Public Health

Flu frenzy: Infections surge in Mass.
Boston Globe
U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World
New York Times
Fatal drug overdoses in Mass. are falling
Axios
‘It’s not too late’: Health commission pushes for more vaccination in face of flu uptick
Bay State Banner

Public Safety

Reproductive Rights

WY: The future of procedural abortion in Wyoming is in doubt after Gordon signs bill
Wyoming Public Media

State Finance

Budget Hearings Launching at "Increasingly Uncertain Time"
State Affairs

Transportation

South Coast Rail service, parking free for first few weekends
WPRI
Pike Westbound Closed To Address "Risk Of A Major Sinkhole"
State House News Service

Utilities

SouthCoast Wind’s value declines due to Trump’s opposition
newbedfordlight
Howie Carr: Massachusetts heating bill outrage worthy of Musk scrub
Boston Herald
‘It’s horrible': Meet the Mass. consumers grappling with big utility bills
Mass Live
Major Mass. Wind Project Alerts Potential For Delay
State House News Service
Reduced utility rates for Massachusetts residents go into effect this weekend

Press Releases

Former Bank Employee Pleads Guilty to Role in International Money Laundering Conspiracy
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
Ahead of Confirmation Vote for Sec. of Education Linda McMahon, Senator Markey Introduces Legislation to Protect Federal Funding for Public Schools
Office of Sen. Ed Markey
Federal Court Finds Firing of Probationary Federal Employees Illegal
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Healey-Driscoll Administration Congratulates Analog Devices for Winning up to $105 Million in Federal CHIPS Funding
Mass. Tech Collaborative
The Tooth Fairy is on a budget
Delta Dental of Massachusetts
A Frontline Perspective: What the Changes in Immigration Courts Mean for Massachusetts
Boston Bar Association
API Applauds Passage of Resolution to End EPA’s Duplicative Methane Fee
American Petroleum Institute
TechNet Releases “AI and the Workforce”
TechNet
The Ongoing Fight for Labor Justice: Honoring Black History Month and Farmworker Rights
Mass. Law Reform Institute
Governor’s bill would make historic investment in Ch. 90
Mass. Municipal Association