Karen Spilka

Massachusetts state senators, led by Sen. Jason Lewis, are pushing to repeal Chapter 62F, a tax cap law, through an amendment to an economic development bill. The move aims to prevent a fall tax-reform ballot question and has 20 cosponsors, but requires House and gubernatorial approval. Jim Stergios of the Pioneer Institute criticizes the effort as undermining voter initiatives.

Governor Maura Healey signed a $63.4 billion fiscal year 2027 budget without any vetoes, focusing on economic stability, healthcare, and education funding while avoiding tax increases. The budget includes $2.7 billion from surtax revenues and allocates $51 million to the rainy day fund, which is projected to reach $8.2 billion by fiscal year-end.

Measles cases in the U.S. have surged, prompting Massachusetts legislators to consider a bill eliminating religious exemptions for school vaccine requirements. The bill, H.2554, advanced through key committees earlier this session than in previous years and has 70% public support, though its final passage remains uncertain.

Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill to remove outdated and offensive language related to disabilities from the state's General Laws, replacing terms like 'handicapped' and 'disabled' with more respectful phrasing. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Pat Jehlen, updates 346 legal sections and will be signed by Gov. Maura Healey.

Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill to remove offensive and outdated language describing people with disabilities from the state's General Laws. The legislation replaces terms like 'handicapped,' 'disabled,' and the 'r-word' with respectful alternatives such as 'person with a disability' and updates 346 sections of state law. The bill now awaits approval from Gov. Maura Healey.

Massachusetts House Democrats passed a bill to limit the state auditor's power to audit the Legislature and control access to legislative records, drawing criticism from GOP lawmakers and transparency advocates. The bill, which passed 125-28 along party lines, faces opposition from Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who claims it undermines a 2024 voter-approved law. Senate Democrats have taken a different approach, releasing some documents while reserving the right to reject future requests.

The Senate plans to pass a bill allowing teachers who missed enrolling in the Retirement Plus program in 2001 a second chance to join until June 30, 2027. The legislation, part of a bipartisan effort, aims to correct a flawed rollout that left thousands of educators without enhanced retirement benefits. The House previously approved a similar policy through a budget amendment.