麻州參議會通過決議 懷孕24週後仍可墮胎

    （Boston Orange編譯）麻州參議會今（7月31）日表決通過H.5595號法案，明確允許懷孕24週後仍可進行墮胎，終止妊娠與否的決定權完全回歸孕婦與醫師，不受政府干預。該案已送交眾議院審議。

    麻州的原有法律禁止孕婦在懷孕24週後墮胎。倡議生育權的民間組織「Reproductive Equity Now」指出，每年有數十名孕婦因胎兒有致命性異常或母體生命危險，被迫遠赴外州就醫。新法將移除這些限制，讓孕婦不必憂慮政府干預，無須離開麻州，仍可合法獲得晚期墮胎服務。

    參議會議長凱倫·史皮爾卡（Karen Spika）表示，麻州居民不應在最艱難時刻被迫離開家鄉與信任的醫師。主要提案人參議員Robyn Kennedy指出，此舉旨在確保女性在孕期的任何階段都能獲得及時醫療。參議會法規委員會主席Joan Lovely則表示，參議會的投票非常清楚地顯示，這些非常個人的決定應由對自己最了解的孕婦最好的孕婦和醫生自己來做。

    這法案送交眾議會後，一旦通過並經州長簽署即可正式生效。

Massachusetts Senate Votes to Keep Government Out of Doctor’s Appointments

Ensures Access to Abortion Care is Allowed After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy

(BOSTON—7/31/2026) Today the Massachusetts Senate voted to expand reproductive healthcare for Massachusetts residents by removing restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy. 

According to Reproductive Equity Now, under current law, dozens of Massachusetts patients each year are forced to leave the state to access abortion care after 24 weeks, even in cases involving devastating diagnoses or risks to the patient’s life.

 

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is often in response to a medical emergency or a diagnosis incompatible with life. The legislation—H.5595, An Act prioritizing patient access to care—ensures that the decision to have an abortion later in pregnancy remains between a patient and their health care providers, without interference from politicians or government.

“No Massachusetts resident should have to make the hardest decision of their life without the support and care of their own doctor,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today the Senate makes clear that if you need reproductive care in Massachusetts, you can get it close to your home, in the state with the best medical care in the world, with a health care provider you trust. I applaud Senator Kennedy for her unwavering advocacy for this legislation, Chair Lovely and Chair Friedman for their support, and all of the advocates who have raised their voices and made sure a continued commitment to reproductive freedom is a priority this session.”

“No family should have to leave Massachusetts to receive the vital medical care their own doctors recommend, especially in the most heartbreaking moments of a pregnancy,” said Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. “With this vote, the Senate makes clear that these deeply personal decisions belong to patients and the physicians who know them best. I am grateful to Senate President Spilka for her steady leadership and to Senator Kennedy for carrying this bill with such care. Today, we take another step to make sure every patient can get the medical care they need, close to the people who love them.”

“The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act is a continuation of the leadership of Senate President Spilka and the Senate to ensure women in Massachusetts can make decisions about their medical and reproductive health care as the Dobbs decision loomed at the federal level. Massachusetts must continue closing gaps in care so that women have full autonomy over the care they need, when and where they need it,” said Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester), primary sponsor of the legislation. “This bill ensures Massachusetts patients do not have to leave the Commonwealth to get care at any point, and empowers physicians to support their patients throughout their pregnancies. I am grateful to my colleagues for passing this bill.”

“Massachusetts residents deserve reliable access to the care they need, as determined through consultation with trusted, trained medical professionals, without interference from individuals wholly separate from the care of patients and the practice of medicine,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “The bill passed today reaffirms and clarifies the intent of our law: sensitive and serious medical decisions should be made solely between a patient and their provider. No one should have to leave Massachusetts to receive essential reproductive health care, and I am proud that we are taking action to strengthen our state’s longstanding commitment to protecting reproductive freedom.”

The bill was heard and reported favorably by both the Joint Committee on Public Health and the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing earlier this session. 

Having passed the Senate, the legislation now will be sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Governor Healey Lays Out Energy Affordability Priorities

Governor Healey Lays Out Energy Affordability Priorities 

As utility companies seek rate hikes and higher profits, Governor Healey calls for change and swift passage of energy affordability legislation

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today called for swift action and passage of her energy affordability legislation to lower energy bills and rein in utility spending. In a letter to members of the conference committee negotiating the final bill, the Governor demanded the utilities stop fighting customer refunds and urged lawmakers to move quickly after their initial meeting to deliver relief for Massachusetts households and businesses by changing how utilities do business, getting charges off bills, and building more local sources of energy. 

“It is absolutely outrageous that, at a time when the people of Massachusetts are struggling to pay their energy bills, utility spending, profits and shareholder payouts are skyrocketing,” said Governor Healey. “Enough is enough. Massachusetts ratepayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for unnecessary utility spending or excessive profits. And they shouldn’t be locked into paying high energy costs driven by President Trump’s Iran war. Passing my energy affordability legislation will ensure ratepayers are getting the best deal for energy, eliminate unnecessary charges from people’s bills, rein in utility spending and profits, and lower costs. Utilities also need to drop their legal challenges to our efforts to return money to consumers and stop seeking rate hikes that people simply can’t afford.”

“Our energy affordability legislation meets the moment we are in. We need to act as Trump’s war drives up energy prices worldwide and utility infrastructure spending raises ratepayer bills,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our administration is ready to act to implement this critical legislation. We’re ready to strike charges, procure more energy, and increase oversight over utility spending.”

Since Governor Healey filed her energy affordability legislation in May 2025, Massachusetts gas and electric utilities have continued seeking higher profits, increasing shareholder payouts, opposing efforts to rein in spending, and pursuing additional rate increases. 

As profits have risen, National Grid, Eversource, Berkshire Gas and Liberty Gas have all sought rate increases in the past year, some as high as 55 percent, driven in part by significant infrastructure spending that also increases utility profits. Governor Healey has opposed those increases, and her administration has consistently argued before the Department of Public Utilities for stronger oversight and lower utility profit levels.

The utilities, which also earn profits from other arms of their businesses like transmission investments, have fought efforts to return exorbitant profit back to ratepayers. Earlier this year, FERC ordered the New England transmission owners to return approximately $1.5 billion in profits collected over the past decade after advocacy by then-AG Healey and current AG Campbell. FERC also cut the allowed return on equity going forward. The transmission owners appealed this ruling, called for a slower rollout of the refund, and doubled down on increasing transmission profits going forward. Governor Healey and AG Campbell opposed this proposal and rallied all New England Governors to oppose the proposal. 

Meanwhile, shareholder payouts keep going up. Last year, Eversource and National Grid shareholders received billions in direct payouts.

Governor Healey’s energy affordability legislation gives the state new tools to lower energy bills by bringing more affordable energy online, reducing unnecessary costs for customers, and holding utilities accountable for excessive spending and profits. In her letter to the conference committee, she highlights key provisions that should remain in the bill to reduce costs, strengthen oversight and help deliver more affordable, reliable energy across Massachusetts. This includes changing how energy is purchased to get the best deals, eliminating fees and profit adders paid to utilities, getting charges off bills, avoiding unnecessary utility spending, bringing more energy into Massachusetts faster and more affordably and allowing the DPU to initiate audits of the utilities.  Governor Healey also urged the committee to include protections for ratepayers, communities and the environment from higher costs and other negative impacts driven by data centers, in keeping with her recently released framework.

Massachusetts Senate Acts to Defend Free Press as Attacks on Journalists Mount Nationwide

Massachusetts Senate Acts to Defend Free Press as Attacks on Journalists Mount Nationwide

New law would shield reporters and their sources from compelled disclosure

(BOSTON—7/31/2026) Amid federal subpoenas of journalists and FBI raids of reporters’ homes, the Massachusetts Senate has passed legislation that would defend Massachusetts journalists’ constitutional right to report facts and hold institutions accountable.

If signed into law, Massachusetts would join 41 other states in the country in making it illegal in most cases for the government to compel journalists to reveal their sources. The law would apply to all journalists in local newsrooms, state outlets, and national news organizations.

At the federal level, no equivalent protection exists. Until Congress acts, journalists reporting in Massachusetts are protected only by state law, leaving federal investigations, federal grand juries, and national security cases outside its reach.

“A free press is absolutely essential to a healthy and thriving democracy,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Defending our residents from the Trump Administration means we must protect their right to access reporting that holds institutions accountable and promotes the public good. It also means we must protect journalists and news organizations—as well as their sources. I applaud Senator Rausch for her leadership on this important amendment to our public records bill, Majority Leader Creem for shepherding the underlying legislation, and each of my Senate colleagues for their support.” 

“A free and independent press is essential to a healthy democracy,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “As attempts to undermine the press continue at the federal level, we have a responsibility to act here in Massachusetts. This legislation ensures that journalists can do their jobs without fear that confidential sources will be exposed, strengthening government accountability and protecting the public's right to know. I am grateful to Senator Rausch for leading this effort, and I am proud that the Senate took this important step to safeguard press freedom in Massachusetts.”

“As Trump and his Administration accelerate and intensify their attacks on journalism, and sources are increasingly afraid to speak up, the Massachusetts Senate takes an historic stand to strengthen our free press and fortify our democracy,” said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), who filed the amendment. “The need for a statutory press shield law in our Commonwealth has never been more urgent. By passing this legislation, we show the federal government and our constituents that we will defend the First Amendment and support a free press, without which our democracy cannot survive. I want to thank Senate President Karen Spilka, Majority Leader Cindy Creem, Ways and Means Chair Mike Rodrigues, Senator Cindy Friedman, Senator Lydia Edwards, our staffs, the bipartisan group of cosponsors, and the coalition of experts and advocates behind this effort. Our collaboration brought us to this moment.” 

The measure, passed unanimously as an amendment filed by Senator Rausch to broader legislation that would open the Legislature and Governor’s office to public records requests, would include an exemption in certain limited circumstances and only with clear and convincing evidence that the source disclosure is necessary and there is an overriding public interest in the disclosure.

The amendment was modeled after legislation filed this session that was heard and approved by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. 

麻州2月暴風雪災難重大 Healey州長申訴聯邦拒補助

    (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（7月31）日發佈訊息，批評聯邦當局不應拿災難救濟來政治操作，要求川普政府撤回聯邦緊急事務管理局（FEMA）的拒絕決定，恢復撥發4,500萬美元聯邦災難救濟金給麻州。

    今年2月22日至23日，麻州遭遇颶風級的暴風雪，每小時降雪量高達4英吋，近30萬戶人家停電。FEMA先前已確認麻州的災難損失高達4,500萬美元，已超過可向聯邦政府申請「重大災難宣告（Major Disaster Declaration）」補助的門檻，7月2日卻否決了麻州向聯邦政府提出的撥款申請。

    若麻州申訴成功，聯邦政府將啟動公共援助計畫，協助受災嚴重的巴恩斯特布爾（Barnstable）、布里斯托（Bristol）、諾福克（Norfolk）及普利茅斯（Plymouth）等郡縣，補貼地方政府清雪與緊急應變等龐大開支。

    奚莉州長批評聯邦當局不應拿災難救濟來政治操作；麻州緊急事務管理局（MEMA）局長布蘭特利（Dawn Brantley）則強調，麻州具備完備的抗災能力，但此事件的重點在於災後清掃與復原費用極其昂貴，符合聯邦援助標準。

    麻州在暴風雪期間曾動員國民兵並向鄰州請求支援。為彌補資金缺口，州府已先提撥1,000萬美元的公平分享基金（Fair Share funding）緊急救濟地方，同時持續向聯邦爭取應得的災難補助。

Governor Healey Appeals FEMA’s Denial of Major Disaster Declaration for February Blizzard 

Governor urges Trump Administration to provide disaster assistance for communities impacted by the historic February 22-23 blizzard

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey is urging the Trump Administration to reverse its denial of Massachusetts’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration and provide federal assistance to communities recovering from one of the worst winter storms the state has seen in decades.

“This February, Massachusetts experienced one of the worst winter storms we've seen in decades,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our first responders, public works crews and local communities worked around the clock to keep people safe, and FEMA validated that Massachusetts exceeded the threshold for federal disaster assistance. Our communities did everything that was asked of them. They shouldn't be left to shoulder these extraordinary costs alone, and the President of the United States shouldn’t play politics with disaster relief.”

The February 22-23, 2026, blizzard brought whiteout conditions, snowfall rates of up to four inches per hour and hurricane-force wind gusts that overwhelmed local resources, knocked out power to nearly 300,000 customers and forced communities to spend far beyond their annual snow removal budgets. To help communities recover, Governor Healey requested a Major Disaster Declaration that would provide federal Public Assistance to state agencies and local governments in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk and Plymouth counties for eligible storm-related costs. The request also sought Snow Assistance for Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties, which experienced record-breaking snowfall. On July 2, FEMA denied the request.

Following the storm, FEMA confirmed that Massachusetts far exceeded the threshold to qualify for federal disaster assistance after determining the state had incurred approximately $45 million in eligible disaster costs. Despite that, FEMA denied the state's request.

“Massachusetts communities and state agencies are well-equipped to manage winter storms, and this blizzard was met with a strong, coordinated response that kept residents safe and communities running,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “What made this storm extraordinary wasn't our ability to respond - it was the unprecedented cost of doing so. Federal disaster assistance is intended for exactly these situations, helping offset extraordinary response costs so communities aren't forced to shoulder the financial burden of a historic event on their own.”

The February blizzard, which dropped nearly three feet of snow on top of existing accumulation from a January storm, left extensive damage across eastern Massachusetts and required an unprecedented statewide response. Governor Healey declared a State of Emergency, activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the Massachusetts National Guard, and requested out-of-state assets from Connecticut, New York and Vermont to support state and local snow removal efforts. Governor Healey also secured $100 million in Fair Share funding to help cities and towns recover from extraordinary winter storm costs while continuing to pursue the federal disaster assistance Massachusetts qualified for.

藍丘大道更新設計 9 月份將辦 4 場社區會議

(Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市和麻州地鐵(MBTA) 將在9月份內舉辦4場社區會議，針對全長約三英里，藍丘大道沿線數十年來最大規模街景重建的「藍丘大道交通行動計畫（Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan）」更新設計方案，徵求公眾意見。

一旦竣工，28路公車從麥特潘（Mattapan）到格羅夫廳（Grove Hall）路線的尖峰時段行車時間，將可縮短10至15分鐘，和之前相比幾乎減半。

在聆聽社區民眾意見3年多後，藍丘大道的更新設計，包括全面重建道路與人行道，把公車專用道移至路中央、增設號誌化左轉與迴轉道、雙向自行車專用道，栽植近200棵新路樹、安置185個無障礙斜坡，增設家20 處有紅綠燈管制的斑馬線等。波士頓市府與MBTA強調，大部分路段在新設計中維持雙向各兩線以上車道，沿線停車位總數也比現在多。

波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)表示，市政府的工程投資，得符合居民、商家與通勤者的需求，呼籲大眾踴躍參加公聽會。MBTA總經理伍偉華指出，MBTA團隊最近和地方民代、商家及居民溝通後，已調整設計以兼顧行車安全、停車空間、商業發展，以及公車、自行車和行人等各種用路人的權益。

麻州眾議員羅素·霍姆斯（Russell Holmes）和波士頓市議員恩里克·佩潘（Enrique Pepén）都肯定此社區參與模式，麥特潘食物與健身聯盟執行長夏薇爾·奧利維耶（Shavel'le Olivier）則強調可靠的大眾運輸對社區健康至關重要。

四場社區會議的時間與地點如下：9月10日晚間6:30在麥特潘晨星浸信會教堂（Morning Star Baptist Church）；9月14日晚間6:30在多徹斯特（Dorchester）BCYF Perkins社區中心；9月22日晚間6:00在麥特潘分館圖書館；9月30日晚間6:30在格羅夫廳BCYF Holland中心。所有社區會議都提供語言翻譯。

「藍丘大道交通行動計畫」的經費來自聯邦交通管理局（FTA）和波士頓市政府，以及MBTA，設計範圍為藍丘大道自河街（River Street）以北至華倫街（Warren Street）路段。波士頓市府與MBTA已陸續拜訪沿線商家與宗教領袖，以因應施工期間與完工後的營運需求，並將持續發展配套措施。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND INTERIM SECRETARY & GENERAL MANAGER PHIL ENG ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY MEETINGS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE BLUE HILL AVENUE PROJECT

City, MBTA to present updated design renderings and seek additional input after more than three years of community feedback 

BOSTON – Friday, July 31, 2026 – The City of Boston and the MBTA today announced a series of community meetings to present an updated design for the Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan and gather additional public feedback. At the meetings, residents will have the opportunity to review the updated project design block by block, ask questions, and provide feedback on parking regulations, street lighting, green space and street trees, bus station design, support for small businesses, and other community priorities. 

The project represents the largest investment in the Blue Hill Avenue streetscape in decades. It will fund a full reconstruction of the roadway and sidewalks along the three-mile corridor and add new streetlights, trees, street furniture, safer crossings, and additional improvements. The proposed center-running bus lanes are expected to reduce travel times for all bus routes on Blue Hill Avenue. Route 28 trips from Mattapan to Grove Hall will be shortened by approximately 10-15 minutes during rush hour––cutting trip times in half. 

“After years of listening and learning from residents, local businesses, elected leaders, and transit riders, we are excited to share an updated proposal reflecting detailed feedback and gather additional public input on the future of Blue Hill Avenue,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I encourage residents to join our upcoming community meetings and help guide this transformative, generational investment in a safer, more connected Blue Hill Avenue for everyone who lives, works, worships, owns a business, or travels along this historic corridor today and for generations to come.” 

“The residents, businesses and those that frequent and traverse Blue Hill Avenue deserve a corridor that balances the needs of all. The city and the MBTA appreciate all the public input we have received to develop this new set of street designs. With these upcoming public meetings, we encourage all to come and see the changes that are being proposed and welcome additional feedback that is so essential for us to successfully deliver this project,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and General Manager Phillip Eng. “Most recently as we continue engaging with your local delegation, local businesses, and residents, it is clear the community has been asking for and deserves a Blue Hill Avenue redesign that addresses longstanding neighborhood priorities. One that improves safety, preserves parking, supports businesses and allows many modes including pedestrians, motor vehicles, buses and bikes to be enjoyed improving everyone’s quality of life. We encourage everyone to join these upcoming meetings to see the updated proposal and allow us to continue refining details and deliver this transformational project for you.”

The updated design incorporates changes and responds to concerns raised over the course of three years of community engagement. Key updates and benefits include:

Traffic Flow & Safety: Two or more travel lanes in each direction throughout most of the project area, providing traffic capacity and managing congestion, along with signalized left turns and U-turns to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, with a focus on reducing pedestrian crossing distances, providing more crosswalk island areas, and providing a two-way protected lane for bicyclists to access neighborhoods and parks along the corridor.

A Net Increase in Parking Space: More parking spots along the corridor than there are today. Additionally, Mattapan Square will be resurfaced and re-striped ahead of construction to address present-day parking needs.

Greenery & Infrastructure: Nearly 200 new street trees, fully replaced streetlights, updated traffic signals, 185 new pedestrian ramps, and 20 additional signalized crosswalks for shorter, safer street crossings.

Enhanced Transit Service: Center-running bus lanes and boarding platforms designed to reduce congestion, improve transit service, and add curbside parkin

Additionally, the City and MBTA are committed to supporting small businesses and faith-based institutions along the corridor during the construction period and when the project is complete. The City’s Office of Neighborhood Services, Office of Cultural Affairs, Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, and the MBTA’s engagement teams have been reaching out to business owners and faith leaders to learn about their anticipated needs and will be working to develop mitigation tools.

“I want to thank Mayor Wu, General Manager Eng, and the transportation teams at the City of Boston and the MBTA for their tireless work on this updated design for Blue Hill Ave,” said State Representative Russell Holmes. “Our communities deserve this investment into our neighborhoods. I look forward to the continued robust community engagement this fall to further refine the design and bring this long awaited project into fruition.”

“I’m encouraged by this type of community engagement around the Blue Hill Avenue project,” said City Councilor Enrique Pepén. “It’s critical that residents, business owners, and bus riders remain at the center of this process so we can deliver a corridor that is safer, more accessible, and works better for everyone. As the City Councilor representing the first 1.4 miles of the project, I’m proud to support this work and to continue advocating for the needs of our community.”

“At Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, our vision is to see Mattapan as a healthy, connected, and thriving community,” said Shavel'le Olivier, Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. “Reliable, safe, and accessible public transportation is essential to making that vision a reality. These upcoming Blue Hill Avenue community meetings are an opportunity to re-engage residents, hear directly from those who rely on this corridor every day, and work together to shape the future of transit in our neighborhood. We encourage everyone to participate and help ensure community voices remain at the center of this process.”

Meeting Schedule:

Language interpretation will be available.

Town Hall in Mattapan

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2026

Time:  6:30–8:00 p.m.

Location: Morning Star Baptist Church

1257 Blue Hill Avenue

Mattapan, MA 02126

Open House in Dorchester

Date: Monday, September 14, 2026

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: BCYF Perkins Community Center

155 Talbot Avenue Boston, MA 02124

Open House in Mattapan

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Mattapan Branch Library

1350 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan, MA 02126

Town Hall in Grove Hall

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: BCYF Holland

85 Olney St, Boston, MA 02121

The project is supported by a U.S. Department of Transportation grant administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), along with funding from the City and MBTA. The investment will support the design and full reconstruction of Blue Hill Avenue from River Street north to Warren Street. 

More information is available at: mbta.com/projects/blue-hill-avenue-transportation-action-plan.  

Governor Healey Calls for Trump Administration to Invest in Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

 Governor Healey Calls for Trump Administration to Invest in Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure 

 Governor highlights importance of State Revolving Fund following Haverhill sewer main break and in response to proposed federal funding cuts 

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey is urging continued federal investment in drinking water and clean water infrastructure following the recent sewer force main break in Haverhill and proposed cuts by the Trump Administration that would significantly reduce funding for projects that communities rely on to provide safe drinking water, protect water quality and modernize aging infrastructure. 

Massachusetts is home to some of the oldest drinking water and wastewater systems in the nation. Through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), the state has and has successfully distributed more than $10 billion in infrastructure improvements serving communities across Massachusetts. Aging drinking water and wastewater systems face challenges from deteriorating pipes, limited capacity, and the growing impacts of our changing climate. President Trump’s proposed budget cuts would reduce SRF funding by approximately 89 percent, making it significantly harder for communities to complete critical infrastructure projects.   

“Every family deserves to know that when they turn on the tap, they’ll have safe, clean drinking water, and every community deserves reliable wastewater infrastructure that protects public health in our cities and towns,” said Governor Maura Healey “We saw the devastating impacts that outdated water infrastructure can have with the Haverhill sewer main break this summer. Communities cannot shoulder these costs alone. We need the Trump Administration to do their part by investing in these projects that keep people safe and prepare us for more extreme weather.”  

The consequences of outdated infrastructure are already being felt. In June, a 42-inch force main near the South Mill Street Pump Station in Haverhill failed following torrential rainfall, with a second break discovered shortly afterward. While the City worked quickly to install a temporary bypass system, approximately 8 million gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the Merrimack River each day, prompting temporary beach swimming and shellfish closures in nearby communities. Although force main failures are uncommon, the incident underscores the urgent need to invest in resilient water infrastructure as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.  

"Federal funding allows us to invest in vital water infrastructure projects that directly benefit everyone across the entire state," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. "These investments ensure the safety of our drinking water and protect public health, while lowering costs for local communities. Providing clean drinking water and proper wastewater disposal is something we cannot afford to lose." 

“Massachusetts water supplies and sewer systems are vulnerable to a warmer climate, which threatens public health and water quality,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "More intense storms, flooding, and aging infrastructure put public health, water quality, and our environment at risk. Continued investment in resilient water infrastructure is essential to protecting our communities today and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow." 

Massachusetts communities depend on federal-State Revolving Fund financing to replace aging drinking water systems, modernize wastewater treatment facilities, remove lead service lines, address emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and improve resilience to increasingly frequent extreme weather. 

Following the sewer force main failure in Haverhill, Massachusetts is working to leverage the State Revolving Fund to support Haverhill’s capital needs. The SRF is the state's primary source of financing for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, many of which cost tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Without this partnership, many communities would be forced to delay or abandon critical projects, increasing costs and putting public health and the environment at greater risk. 

The Trump Administration has proposed to significantly reduce State Revolving Fund capitalization, threatening states' ability to replace lead service lines, modernize wastewater treatment facilities, improve drinking water systems and strengthen infrastructure against increasingly severe weather. 

“Maintaining reliable water systems protects public health and the environment,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “The State Revolving Fund has helped communities across Massachusetts make critical investments that would otherwise be out of reach. Preserving this partnership is essential to ensuring safe, reliable water infrastructure for generations to come." 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES CITY OF BOSTON TO HOST SECOND-EVER NATIONAL URBAN RAT SUMMIT

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES CITY OF BOSTON TO HOST SECOND-EVER NATIONAL URBAN RAT SUMMIT

BOSTON – Thursday, July 30, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston will host the second-ever National Urban Rat Summit this fall, from September 23 to 24, 2026. The two-day summit will bring together leading experts, academics, researchers, public health professionals, and municipal officials from across the country and the world to advance urban rodent mitigation solutions. “Boston is a home for everyone—except rats. We’re proud to host the second-ever National Urban Rat Summit this September, where we will share our progress, hear directly from residents, and learn from other cities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Since we launched the Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP) in 2024, our rodent control team has been deploying new technologies to target rodent activity, better coordination of City services based on data and analytics, and tailored strategies to eliminate rodent populations in different areas. We look forward to bringing cities together to burrow under barriers, gnaw through nagging issues, and scurry toward solutions for the highest quality of life for our human residents.”  The summit will focus on practical, evidence-based approaches to one of the most persistent challenges facing cities: managing and reducing rodent populations. Guided by the annual theme of innovation, collaboration, and data-driven action, the event will help cities exchange best practices and continue developing strategies that improve resident’s quality of life.  "The upcoming Rat Summit is an important opportunity to bring together experts, municipal leaders, researchers to exchange ideas and strengthen our collective approach to rodent management," said John Ulrich, Assistant Commissioner of Environmental Services, Inspectional Services Department (ISD). “Rodent activity is a challenge that extends beyond city boundaries, making collaboration and the sharing of proven strategies essential. By learning from one another and building on successful practices, we can continue developing innovative, coordinated solutions that improve public health, enhance neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life for residents in Boston and communities across the region." “Under Mayor Wu's leadership, Boston launched the Boston Rodent Action Plan in 2024 to  manage and reduce our rat population through improved coordination, data collection, community engagement and innovation," said Dion Irish, Chief of Operations.  This initiative has made significant progress by piloting innovative tools and technologies, improving systems that influence rodent populations, and collaborating with many city departments to help tackle this challenge. We're excited to host the second National Rodent Summit to continue to learn new strategies and share our progress.” "Boston is proud to host the second National Rat Summit, bringing together experts to share strategies and advance the science of urban rodent control,” said Tania Del Rio, Commissioner of the Inspectional Services Department. “Boston has emerged as a leader in developing practical, evidence based strategies to reduce rodent populations in dense urban neighborhoods. The Summit reflects our commitment to learning from others while sharing what's working in Boston."  Boston hosting the second National Urban Rat Summit reflects the City's emergence as a national leader in urban rodent mitigation through the Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP). Launched by Mayor Michelle Wu, BRAP is a coordinated, cross-departmental initiative that brings together more than 20 City departments, agencies, and external partners to address one of Boston's most persistent urban challenges. The summit will also showcase the Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP), which has transformed how Boston manages rodent activity. Since its launch, BRAP has:  Quarterly meetings with City departments and partner agencies to coordinate on rodent mitigation and build a City wide integrated pest management system Piloted innovative technologies, including sewer and surface traps in partnership with the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and Boston Housing Authority Expanded integrated pest management practices while reducing reliance on traditional rodenticides. Improved inspection, enforcement, sanitation, and construction coordination to address the root causes of rodent activity. Installed rodent-resistant trash receptacles and advanced public education on proper waste storage and disposal. Used data, mapping, and analytics to prioritize interventions and measure outcomes across neighborhoods. Strengthened partnerships with residents, businesses, institutions, and community organizations to support long-term rodent prevention. “Through the Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP), we are focused on improving quality of life for all residents by reducing rodent activity and addressing the factors that contribute to it, including how we manage waste, keep public spaces clean, and limit access to food sources,” said Mike Brohel, Superintendent of Basic City Services. “The 2026 National Rodent Summit builds on this work by creating a space for cities and partners to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen collaborative approaches.”  “The Boston Housing Authority is proud to be a part of the multiagency effort to reduce rodent activity and improve public health and quality of life citywide,” said Kenzie Bok, Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority. “In our work under the Boston Rodent Action Plan, the Boston Housing Authority has transformed our rodent control protocols and technologies, creating dedicated teams that have reduced rat burrows and colonies at a rapid pace. The Boston Rodent Action Plan has brought together experts across our city, and we’re excited to share what works in Boston with partners nationwide.” "Boston's parks are where residents gather to play, build community, connect with nature, and keeping them clean and welcoming requires thoughtful stewardship and innovative solutions," said Diana Fernandez Bibeau, Commissioner of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Deputy Chief of Open Space. "From proactive maintenance and landscape management to installing new rodent-resistant trash receptacles, the Parks and Recreation Department is helping reduce rodent activity in our public spaces. We encourage residents to join us in caring for our parks by properly disposing of trash and cleaning up after their pets. Through the Boston Rodent Action Plan, we're proud to work alongside our City partners to share what's working in Boston while learning new strategies to create cleaner, healthier parks and neighborhoods."  “We’re excited to welcome leaders from across the country and around the world to address one of the biggest challenges facing cities today,” said Dennis Roache, Superintendent of the Waste Reduction Division. “Tackling rodent challenges requires collaboration, sharing what we’ve learned, and developing solutions that make a real difference for residents. This summit is an opportunity to learn from one another and advance strategies that help create cleaner, healthier communities.”  "Boston Water and Sewer Commission is proud to partner with the City of Boston and other stakeholders on an innovative pilot program to address rodent activity through improvements to our sewer infrastructure. By testing new sewer trap and monitoring technologies, we are taking a proactive, data-driven approach to better understand and reduce rodent movement within the sewer system,” said Chase Berkeley, Chief of Operations at Boston Water and Sewer Commission. “This collaborative effort reflects our commitment to protecting public health, enhancing the reliability of our infrastructure, and supporting cleaner, healthier neighborhoods for Boston residents and businesses." As cities across the country look for more effective and sustainable approaches to rodent mitigation, Boston is proud to host the National Urban Rat Summit as a forum to share lessons learned, evaluate emerging research, compare innovative technologies, and strengthen partnerships that will help cities reduce rodent populations and improve quality of life for residents. "Significant advances have been made in both the science and the practice of controlling rats in modern cities over the past several years. The 2nd National Urban Rat Summit of 2026 hosted by the City of Boston brings together the essential collaborations of rodent scientists, municipality specialists and local governments involved in urban rat management programs," said Bobby Corrigan, Ph.D. Urban Rodentologist. 2026 National Urban Rat Summit Planning Committee Member. "The goal of the summit is to bring the  perspectives of  national and international minds to share collective findings, new technologies, and innovations in city operations that promises collaborative cutting-edge updates towards the centuries-old challenge of controlling urban rats." “Rats have increasingly become a plague on cities nearly everywhere,” said Dr. Richard Pollack, Ph.D Parasitology and 2026 National Urban Rat Summit Planning Committee Member. “Rat-centric municipal planners, regulators, practitioners, and academics will assemble in Boston for the second ever National Rat Summit to share experiences, scrutinize new research findings, and compare strategies aimed to protect the health of the public and the integrity of buildings and infrastructure.” “The National Urban Rat Summit is a unique opportunity to convene the relatively small group of rodent experts that deal with rats at the municipal level,” said Dr. Matthew Frye, Professor at Cornell University. “The second of its kind, the Boston Summit will showcase innovative, practical strategies that city leaders and practitioners can take home and put into action immediately. Over two days, academics, industry leaders, and government professionals will exchange ideas, share lessons learned, and explore emerging approaches to rat mitigation, while building the relationships and partnerships that strengthen our collective ability to create healthier, more resilient cities.”

Massachusetts Senate Votes to Open Legislature, Governor Records to Public

Massachusetts Senate Votes to Open Legislature, Governor Records to Public

Bill Ensures Compliance with Independent Court Appeals Process

(BOSTON—7/30/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today passed legislation that increases residents’ access to information about how decisions are made inside the Legislature and the Governor’s office, along with critical free press protections that allow journalists to protect their sources.

For the first time, the bill writes into the state public records law that the public has a right to know about key legislative records, such as vote tallies, salaries of elected officials and staff, ethics disclosures, operating expenditures, and contracts.

The legislation—S.3200, An Act promoting transparency and public access in state government—also opens up access to records created by the Office of the Governor. The transparency measure has earned the support of several groups who advocate for greater access to government and the promotion of democracy, including the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association, Common Cause Massachusetts, and the ACLU of Massachusetts.

“The Senate has long believed that the people of Massachusetts have a fundamental right to see how their government operates and how their tax dollars are spent, and this bill affirms that belief while ensuring our expanded transparency measures are constitutional,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our work better reflects the will of the people we serve when more voices are a part of it. This legislation is a critical step forward and builds on the success of this session’s rules reforms that opened more of our work to public view. I applaud Majority Leader Creem for her leadership on this legislation, each of my colleagues for their support, and all of the advocates whose collaboration helped us produce a comprehensive bill.” 

“From the adoption of new joint rules between the House and Senate to promote greater transparency and public access, to advancing legislation that modernizes the state’s public records law, the Senate has remained committed to making state government open and accessible,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton). “With the passage of this bill, Massachusetts residents will have additional insight into how their government works on their behalf. I am grateful to Senate President Spilka for her leadership in advancing these values, and to the ACLU of Massachusetts, Common Cause Massachusetts, and the many advocates whose partnership helped make this legislation possible.”

Building on the legislation’s support for freedom of information, Senators voted unanimously during today’s debate to adopt Amendment 17 guaranteeing legal protections for journalists by allowing them to protect the anonymity of their sources.

The ‘press shield’ provision would prohibit anyone from compelling a journalist to disclose the identity of a confidential source except under certain qualified circumstances. 

The underlying transparency bill’s process for members of the public to access legislative records is modeled after the legislative record components of Pennsylvania’s ‘Right-to-Know Law.’

The bill outlines the process for people to request legislative records, including the assurance of an impartial appeals process. A designated staff member in the Senate or in the House would be required to answer a request within 10 days and share any responsive records.

Requestors could appeal any denied requests to the Superior Court, independent of the Legislative or Executive branches of government.

Similarly, people requesting records from the Governor’s office could appeal a decision to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, then to the Superior Court.

The new public records statutes would take effect at the start of the new term in January 2027.

Full details of the bill are available online in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

The bill was reported to the full Senate by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 15-0 vote on July 23, 2026. A previous version was passed by the House of Representatives.

Following public debate today, the Senate passed the bill on a 34-6 roll call vote and sent it back to the House for further consideration.

Throughout this legislative session, the Senate has worked to increase government accountability and transparency. The Senate has championed rules reforms that resulted in publicly posted committee votes and longer periods of public review before large bills are voted upon.

Governor Healey Demands Trump Administration Reverse Termination of Millions in Disaster Recovery Funds for Massachusetts Communities

Governor Healey Demands Trump Administration Reverse Termination of Millions in Disaster Recovery Funds for Massachusetts Communities 

BOSTON - Governor Maura Healey is today demanding that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) reverse its decision to effectively cancel more than $7 million in federal disaster recovery funding from Massachusetts communities. 

The funding is being used to repair coastal infrastructure that sustained significant damage in Hurricane Sandy and several other major severe winter storms, such as seawalls and stone revetments. These projects protect homes, businesses, roads, utilities and public spaces from coastal erosion, flooding and future storms while strengthening the long-term resilience of Massachusetts communities. 

“Just weeks after President Trump rejected disaster relief for Massachusetts communities impacted by this winter’s storms, he’s now threatening to terminate funding that cities and towns have been relying on for years to advance critical coastal infrastructure repair projects,” said Governor Healey. “This makes no sense and is making all of our communities less safe. I urge FEMA to reverse this decision and make sure this funding continues to flow to our municipalities as promised so that they can protect their residents and infrastructure.” 

“Public safety doesn't begin when a storm makes landfall. It begins with preparing communities before disaster strikes," said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. "These projects strengthen the infrastructure that protects residents, supports first responders and helps communities withstand increasingly severe weather. Canceling funding would make our communities less safe and put critical resilience projects at risk. Our municipal partners deserve the federal support they were promised to complete these essential public safety projects." 

“These are essential projects designed to protect people and property from increasingly stronger storms that can overwhelm aging infrastructure,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “Projects like this are particularly challenging given their locations and importance. They were approved following destructive storms in order to build more resilient communities. When legitimate project challenges occur, communities need to be allowed the time to ensure the projects are completed and are done right.” 

FEMA recently notified the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) that it intends to deny additional time for disaster recovery projects related to Hurricane Sandy, the February 2013 severe winter storm, the January 2015 severe winter storm and the March 2018 severe winter storm. Without those extensions, communities could lose federal funding for projects that are still moving through the required design, permitting and construction process. 

Many of the affected projects have taken years to advance because they involve repairing complex coastal infrastructure and require extensive engineering, environmental review and state and federal permitting before construction can begin. Several projects are now nearing construction after completing those requirements. 

If FEMA moves forward with this decision, communities could lose funding they have been counting on for years. They could also be forced to repay federal money that has already been spent, leaving local taxpayers responsible for planning, engineering, design and construction costs that communities incurred while following FEMA's own disaster recovery process. 

The impacted projects include: 

• Gloucester ($383,182): Repairing the stone barrier at Cressy Beach.  
• Hull ($485,102): Repairing the seawall along Gunrock Avenue at Crescent Beach.  
• Marshfield: Repairing multiple seawalls and shoreline protections along Ocean Street and Foster Avenue.  
• Nahant ($71,500): Repairing the seawall and beach access stairs at 40 Steps Beach.  
• Quincy ($595,118): Repairing and rebuilding sections of the seawall in Hough's Neck along Manet and Nut Avenues.  
• Rockport ($2.76 million): Repairing the seawall at Long Beach.  
• Scituate ($2.89 million): Repairing and rebuilding seawalls, stone barriers and beach access points at Surfside Road, First Cliff, Second Cliff, Third Cliff, Minot Beach and Glades Beach. 

 

MEMA has notified the affected municipalities and will continue assisting communities with extension requests and appeals.