Q&A: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Kennealy
Mike Kennealy is the first major challenger to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in the 2026 gubernatorial race. On housing, he says he’ll work “in partnership” with towns to build more homes.
Spilka Eyes Sales Tax Exemption to Encourage Housing
The idea to exempt multifamily projects’ building materials would first be studied by a commission before any changes get formally proposed.
Survey: Employer Confidence Sank Lower in April
Tariff policies and national political developments slid Massachusetts employers further into a state of pessimism in April.
Outreach Begins as Eviction-Sealing Deal Takes Effect
Thousands of Massachusetts residents gained a new tool in the search for stable housing Monday, as a compromise between tenant advocates and the real estate lobby took effect allowing eligible tenants to have their past eviction records sealed.
Senate, House Headed for $420M MBTA Funding Showdown
Senate Democrats want to send only $370 million to the MBTA under a new spending plan fueled by excess surtax revenues, much less than the House approved across workforce, infrastructure and reduced fare investments at the beleaguered transit agency.
Economist: Mass. Economy May Have Shrunk More than U.S. in Q1
Start with an aging workforce and challenges retaining younger people, and add growing consumer worries and weakness in the tech sector, and Massachusetts’ economy could have shrunk as much as 1.3 percent.
DPU Squeezing How Much Utilities May Charge for Gas Pipe Replacements
The Department of Public Utilities late Wednesday night ordered that gas companies will have to ratchet down the amount of money they can bill customers for efforts to replace old and leaking natural gas pipelines.
Crumbling Foundations in Central Mass. Fuel Continuing Appeals for Aid
As homeowners dealing with crumbling concrete foundations implored lawmakers Tuesday to deliver financial assistance, House Democrats declined to support a budget amendment to create a relief fund seeded with $100 million.
Report: Mass. Home to More Millionaires Despite New Surtax
Surtax supporters released data Monday that they said pokes holes in the argument that the state’s new tax on high earners is causing higher-income residents to move out of Massachusetts.
MBTA Envisions Another Burst of Hiring to Boost Repairs, Frequency
The hiring blitz at the T will keep going full steam ahead. Or it probably will, at least if the MBTA’s final budget looks like the preliminary version that’s up for a vote Thursday.
MBTA Zoning Law Targeted by GOP Budget Amendments
Some GOP representatives are angling to reopen the controversial MBTA Communities Act conversation when the House takes up its budget next week.
Logan Passenger Numbers Up, But Massport Bracing for Tariff Impact
Buoyed by busy air travel at Logan Airport, the Massachusetts Port Authority is expecting a “very good fiscal year” while bracing for potential turbulence in connection with tariff impacts on travel and cargo patterns, CEO Rich Davey said Thursday.
Accountants Renew Tax Reform Calls as Clients Leave Mass.
Massachusetts accountants representing wealthy residents renewed their calls Wednesday for a bevy of tax reforms, including overhauling the “sting tax” on companies, to prevent the ongoing outmigration of Bay Staters and businesses.
Economic Secretary Hao Leaving Healey’s Cabinet
Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao is stepping down from her port at the end of the month, with Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba in line to take over the secretary’s duties on an interim basis, the Healey administration said Tuesday.
State Delays Enforcement of Electric Truck Requirements
The move will likely be a relief to contractors, who say there aren’t enough clean trucks or charging stations available, but it’s being met with anger by environmental advocates.
A Top Mass. Economist Tries to Navigate Tariffs’ Local Impact
Between market dips, concerned state officials and international trade implications, the tariff policies implemented and now partly paused by President Donald Trump last week have created widespread worry across Massachusetts and the nation.
Mariano: Housing Law Critics Have a Point, but Should Comply
The top House Democrat said Thursday he believes the town of Milton had a “legitimate complaint” about a controversial mandatory zoning-reform law, but added that he is not considering any legislative action to let the community off the hook.
House Tees Up Vote on Healey’s Big MBTA Investments
House Democrats will seek a vote this week on a roughly $1.3 billion spending plan that would inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the MBTA as the agency wrestles with a major budget gap.
Former Baker Housing Secretary Kennealy Challenges Healey for Governor
Mike Kennealy, a former private equity manager who spent four years as state housing and economic development secretary under Gov. Charlie Baker, says Massachusetts is “heading in the wrong direction.”
Western Mass. Legislators Call Healey’s MBTA Plan Unfair
The administration says the MBTA needs the $870 million to stay afloat and preserve progress made in the last two years, but “this didn’t look like equity or anything close,” two legislators say.
