Senators Show They’re Up for Some of ‘Fun Agenda,’ but Not All of It
A local option for happy hour, capping the resale prices of concert tickets and studying ways to host more soccer tournaments made it into the bill.
Reasonable Fix to Boston’s Property Tax Problem Passes Senate
A bipartisan measure passed the state Senate last week to finally give seniors in Boston a break on their property taxes, fixing a problem the city’s mayor can’t.
YIGBY Zoning Changes Would Unlock Opportunity
Yes In God’s Backyard legislation would give faith groups and developers the tools to jointly create more homes in Massachusetts, with meaningful affordability.
Senate Hopes to Legalize Duplexes Statewide in Toned-Down Reform Push
Senate leaders folded major housing policies into an economic development bill, but signaled there would be no standalone housing bill this year.
Senate Eyes Vote on Economic Development Bill, Housing Components Unknown
Senate leaders are working to finalize their economic development package, seen as the last chance to pass meaningful housing reforms this legislative session.
Tenant Right to Purchase Resurfaces in House Economic Bill
After getting cut out of the Legislature’s last major housing bill, the so-called Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act found new life in the House’s policy-dense $561 million economic development bill alongside housing production-focused measures.
House Adds ‘Yes In God’s Backyard’ to Economic Bill
The House plans to vote Wednesday on a $425.1 million economic development package that carries over some of Gov. Maura Healey’s priorities while adding a slew of new housing-related policy ideas.
It’s High Time Mass. Reforms Site Plan Review
Site plan reviews don’t have state guardrails in Massachusetts. Gov. Maura Healey’s reforms would fix that, and protect good housing developments.
Mortgage Law Raises ‘Floodgate’ Concerns for Campbell
A new state law effectively protects BlueHub Capital, a Roxbury nonprofit that was sued in 2020 over predatory lending allegations, from lawsuits over its “shared appreciation mortgage” products.
Healey Signs Law Protecting Nonprofit Lender from Consumer Lawsuit
Gov. Maura Healey’s decision to not veto legislation that shields a Boston non-bank lender being sued by its borrowers is being blasted by the lawyer in the case.
Developers Get Two-Year Building Permit Extension on Jobs Bill
Commercial real estate interests are cheering the inclusion of language to extend valid permits – including ones for around 40,000 unbuilt homes – for an additional two years in the economic development bill expected to head to the governor Thursday.
Mass. Economic Plans on Hold Due to Beacon Hill Dispute
Nearly three months into the new fiscal year, about one quarter of the state’s planned capital spending for economic development is tied up in an ongoing dispute among top House and Senate Democrats, according to a new report.
LG: Lawmakers ‘Just Not There Yet’ on Eco Dev Agreement
While Gov. Maura Healey told reporters Tuesday that the Legislature is “getting things done,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll urged a group of municipal officials to put pressure on their lawmakers to wrap up work on the earmark-laden economic development bill that stalled out more than a month ago.
Biz Groups Plead For ‘Narrow’ Jobs Bill
A cohort of regional chambers of commerce pressed top Beacon Hill Democrats Thursday to strike a deal on a pared-back economic development bill, warning inaction on the stalled package could harm Massachusetts’ competitive edge.
Special Session Planned to Pass Biotech, Stadium Bill
Following an appeal from Gov. Maura Healey, the leaders of the House and Senate said late Friday that they are willing to call a special formal session of the Legislature to approve an economic development bond bill.
BlueHub Court Battle Shifts to Legislature
A four-year-old court battle between nonprofit lender BlueHub Capital and a group of angry customers is spilling over into the state Senate’s economic development bill.
Senate Passes Economic Development Bill Loaded With Policy and $2.86B Price Tag
State Senators unanimously approved a sprawling $2.86 billion economic development bill just before midnight last night. S 2856 is seen as a critical tool for maintaining the commonwealth’s successful life sciences sector and making a similar massive investment in the climate tech landscape.
State Lawmakers Say Cambridge ‘Maxed Out,’ Want Biotech Aid for Gateway Cities
Two Democrats who have a chance to stamp their mark on Gov. Maura Healey’s $3.5 billion plan to reinvigorate the state’s business climate want the benefits to stretch beyond the Boston metropolitan area.
Carve Up These Turkeys
Better bring your appetite, because columnist Scott Van Voorhis is serving up his annual Turkey Awards: a roundup of 2022’s biggest screw-ups, worst ideas and most mockable memories.
Economic Development Bill Emerges with $409M for Housing
Nearly 100 days after its original due date, the House and Senate on Wednesday struck an agreement on a major economic development spending package that could be on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk by the end of the day Thursday.
