by State House News Service | Jan 17, 2025
Republicans thought Gov. Maura Healey’s annual address “presented a rosy picture” that “fell short of reality;” while top Democrats in the Legislature said they were glad she highlighted past successes, but didn’t jump on board with every one of her outlined future priorities.
by State House News Service | Jan 13, 2025
Gov. Maura Healey is starting to roll out some specifics from her forthcoming fiscal year 2026 budget, announcing Monday that it will include a provision to do away with renter-paid broker’s fees.
by State House News Service | Dec 12, 2024
“We don’t have time at the city level to play games,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” on Wednesday.
by State House News Service | Dec 10, 2024
Despite compromises struck between the city and stakeholders, Spilka said she has “heard clearly that there currently is not sufficient support for this proposal.”
by State House News Service | Dec 9, 2024
Sen. William Brownsberger, who represents parts of Boston and is the number-three Democrat in the Senate, called for the bill to be laid aside and for Boston to finalize its property tax rates without any shift.
by Steve Adams | Dec 5, 2024
Business organizations urged Beacon Hill legislators to pause approval of a new property tax structure raising rates on commercial properties in Boston following the release of new assessment data.
by CommonWealth Beacon | Sep 27, 2024
The two sides warring over Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s property tax shift proposal huddled in Senate President Karen Spilka’s office Thursday afternoon, but emerged with no sign of an agreement.
by State House News Service | Aug 23, 2024
In a fresh statement this week, Spilka’s spokesperson said, “Mayor Wu and the Senate President spoke last week about the proposal. The Senate President and the Senate are committed to creating good and smart policy, and to that end, remain open to continuing conversations with the City of Boston and other stakeholders.”
by State House News Service | Aug 8, 2024
Senators be aware: If you get a call from a 617 phone number in the coming days, it could be Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
by State House News Service | Aug 7, 2024
Senate President Karen Spilka reacted sharply after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu suggested Boston homeowners would have the Senate to blame if state lawmakers don’t pass her proposal to temporarily hike the city’s commercial property tax rate.
by State House News Service | Jul 31, 2024
The top Senate Democrat had pointed words for her House colleague that could have implications for a vote on a proposed Boston commercial tax rate increase.
by State House News Service | Jun 18, 2024
Senate President Karen Spilka indicated Monday that the Senate will take up its version of a major housing policy and borrowing bill next week, but she declined to give any indication whether her chamber will include in its bill the local-option transfer tax that Gov. Maura Healey proposed but was left out of the bill passed by the House.
by State House News Service | Apr 23, 2024
As the transportation secretary’s recent comments about imposing tolls for drivers crossing into Massachusetts continue to attract fire from political adversaries and a conservative watchdog group, they have also won a measure of support from one of the most powerful lawmakers on Beacon Hill.
by State House News Service | Jan 18, 2024
Gov. Maura Healey launched into her second year as...
by State House News Service | Jun 15, 2023
Amid debate over how to keep Massachusetts competitive and how tax cuts figure into that goal, Senate President Karen Spilka emphasized Thursday the importance of “shoring up and expanding” the state’s middle class.
by State House News Service | Jun 13, 2023
As renters and would-be homebuyers face an affordability crisis, a leading trade group for the people who facilitate home sales is eyeing new building projects as the solution.
by State House News Service | Apr 14, 2023
As many in the Boston area await an infrastructure project that would replace an I-90 viaduct through Allston and increase public transit access in the area, members of the MetroWest delegation warned on Wednesday that the project will need to be done with care to not disrupt commuters who live west of the city.
by State House News Service | Mar 24, 2023
Hundreds of housing advocates planned a rally at the...
by State House News Service | Jan 5, 2023
There was never much doubt that House and Senate Democrats would return Ron Mariano and Karen Spilka to the top posts in the legislaure, but Wednesday’s swearing-in speeches did produce glimpses into where each veteran legislative leader will attempt to wield their supermajorities in the coming months.
by State House News Service | Oct 18, 2022
To hear Gov. Charlie Baker tell it, the House and Senate are about ready to dive into “end of year” activities, like passing a spending bill to close out the books on the fiscal year that ended more than three months ago. But legislative leaders gave no such indications Monday.