Advances - Week of April 11

State House News Service 4/9/21 5:32 PM

The state budget landscape has changed dramatically since late January, when Gov. Charlie Baker proposed a $45.6 billion spending plan, and next week's proposed House budget is likely to reflect some of the shifting circumstances. In addition to state tax collections that have continued to trend much higher than forecasts and the presence of historic amounts of federal aid that were pending but not approved when Baker filed H 1 more than two months ago, Baker's assumptions about spending in the largest program in the budget, MassHealth, have also been upended by federal changes that will substantially push up total spending, and covered populations, under the health care safety net program.

House Likely to Pass New Holyoke Home Bill Next Week

Chris Lisinski 4/9/21 5:18 PM

Legislative leaders on Friday outlined plans to advance a $400 million bill funding the construction of a new Holyoke Soldiers' Home but it's unclear if their timeline will be fast enough to quickly secure federal funding.

Weekly Roundup - A Strained Partnership

Matt Murphy 4/9/21 5:14 PM

For years, with both Democrats and Republicans in the corner office, the leadership of the Legislature has basically been able to do what it wants.

Tourism, Hospitality Sectors Appeal for More State Help

Chris Lisinski 4/9/21 4:00 PM

The tourism and hospitality sector has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, facing sharp declines in business that will be slow to recover without additional state action, industry leaders told lawmakers on Friday.

Flood of Fed Funds Fuels Tension Over Decisions, Information

Colin A. Young 4/8/21 5:27 PM

House lawmakers made clear to the Baker administration Thursday that they want more information about how the discretionary portion of $71 billion in one-time aid that's already come to Massachusetts has been spent and want to have greater say around how another $40 billion in federal stimulus money that's on the way will be spent.

Janey Sees Fed Aid as Path to Fare-Free Bus Rides

Katie Lannan 4/8/21 2:15 PM

Free public transportation "would be great," according to Boston's acting mayor, who also said Thursday that she hopes state officials are looking at ways to use federal aid to make transit more equitable.

Muni Matters: Constitutional Edits | DLS Shakeup | Fill Your Pools, Framingham

State House News Service 4/8/21 9:30 AM

• Proposal Would Strike "Selectmen" from Constitution
• Division of Local Services Losing a Majority of Bureau Chiefs
• Remote Work Contributes to Framingham Tax Hike
• Municipal Assoc. Moves Closer to State House
• State Funds Available for Climate Change Preparedness

Infection Data Shows Impact of Vaccines on Older Residents

Chris Lisinski 4/7/21 5:11 PM

In the three-plus months since Massachusetts first began administering COVID-19 vaccines with a phased rollout targeting vulnerable populations, the highly infectious virus's impact on older residents has dropped considerably.

Shifting MassHealth Dynamics Driving Up Costs by $1.4 Billion

Colin A. Young 4/7/21 3:57 PM

A week ahead of the House's expected fiscal year 2022 budget reveal, the Baker administration said it has worked up new spending projections for the single largest budget item to account for a federal-level change that could drive up costs by more than $1.4 billion while providing additional revenue to offset most or all of the extra spending.

House, Senate Leaders Agree on School Aid Increase

Katie Lannan 4/7/21 3:55 PM

An agreement announced Wednesday by legislative budget-writers would steer more state dollars to local schools than the $45.6 billion fiscal 2022 spending plan that Gov. Charlie Baker put forward in January.

Longtime Mass General Hospital President Slavin Will Step Down

Katie Lannan 4/7/21 11:26 AM

After nearly two decades as president of Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Peter Slavin said Wednesday that he plans to step down from his role.