Massachusetts, Boston, and Community Leaders Gather to Honor Solomon Northup at Unveiling of Hope Out of Darkness

Massachusetts, Boston, and Community Leaders Gather to Honor Solomon Northup at Unveiling of Hope Out of Darkness

BOSTON, MA — The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, City of Boston, and community partners gathered this week to celebrate the unveiling of Hope Out of Darkness, the first-ever bronze sculpture honoring 19th-century abolitionist Solomon Northup (1807–unknown), author of Twelve Years A Slave. The installation, created by Emmy and Oscar-winning sculptor Wesley Wofford, FNSS, was unveiled before an audience of civic leaders, artists, descendants, and residents at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on Wednesday.

The legacy of Solomon Northup was recognized by Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey, who presented a citation honoring the exhibit of the sculpture and reflecting on “Massachusetts’ history of Black and Indigenous slavery and slave trade, as well as the Commonwealth’s leading role in the abolitionist movement.” Mayor Michelle Wu issued a proclamation designating Wednesday, October 22, 2025, as “Hope Out of Darkness Day” in the City of Boston, honoring the sculpture’s unveiling and the enduring legacy of Solomon Northup.

Hope Out of Darkness depicts Northup emerging from shadow into light—a powerful metaphor for liberation, resilience, and the struggle for human justice. The sculpture has traveled on a five-city national tour. It will conclude its journey later this year in Marksville, Louisiana, where it will be permanently installed before the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse—the very site of Northup’s emancipation in 1853. A custom-designed plaza will accompany the final installation, incorporating symbolic elements inspired by his life and journey. 

Sculptor Wesley Wofford says, “Hope Out of Darkness” represents Solomon Northup’s personal story of abduction, oppression, resilience, and perseverance.  By highlighting Northup’s parallels to Indigenous communities and current events, our partners in Boston illustrate that Solomon’s story transcends the individual.  Even now, in 2025, words such as “kidnapped”, “human trafficked”,  and “disappeared” are still present in our reality, making the elevation of these legacies in public spaces even more important.  

The event was co-hosted by the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) and the Greenway Conservancy, in partnership with Wofford Sculpture Studio, which commissioned the sculpture. Jean-Luc Pierite, President of NAICOB, acted as emcee, and opened the ceremony with a tribute to the land stating “This is the land that holds us and the land that sustains us.”

Pierite opened with a reading from William Lloyd Garrison’s The Liberator newspaper. In the March 23, 1855 issue, Henry C. Wright reported on Northup’s appearances at the Bethel on Commercial Street in North Square (now Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12 N Square, Boston, MA 02113) and Meionaon Hall (now Tremont Temple, 88 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108) in 1855. Both historic sites are within walking distance of the temporary installation (near the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center, 191W Atlantic Ave. Boston, MA 02110).

Speakers at the unveiling included members of the Northup family, representatives from the Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works, Jean-Luc Pierite, Board President of the North American Indian Center of Boston; Kevin Peterson, founder of the New Democracy Coalition; L’Merchie Frazier, MIT MLK Visiting Scholar; Steffanie Lucas-Poellnitz of Mobile, Alabama, a Clotilda descendant; and Selma de Matos Rocha “Selminha Sorriso” of Beija-Flor in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Each speaker at the unveiling reflected on Northup’s legacy as an abolitionist and orator, his historic visits to Massachusetts between 1854 and 1856, and the enduring relevance of his story today. L’Merchie Frazier specifically uplifted the life of Solomon’s wife, Anne Hampton. Attending at the invitation of North American Indian Center of Boston and Carnival Society of Boston, Lucas-Poellnitz and de Matos Rocha respectively spoke to the national and international impact of installation.

State Representatives Samantha Montano and Aaron Michlewitz also presented the Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works with a resolution from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, honoring the committee for the arrival of the sculpture to Boston. Montaño remarked on the on-going civic dialogue around monuments and the need to fully recognize history.

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Benjamin Weber issued a resolution recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the installation. The City commended the project for illuminating the intertwined histories of slavery, abolition, and resilience that have shaped both Boston and the nation. Councilor Weber further presented the Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works with a citation recognizing the significance of Northup’s contributions to the city and the greater anti-slavery campaign in the city.

Melissa Howell, direct descendant of Solomon Northup and board member of the Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works, was invited to speak before the Boston City Council in recognition of her ancestor’s contributions to anti-slavery efforts across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Howell conveyed “Solomon’s visits to Boston places him within that living conversation on justice.”  She further stated “by acknowledging this connection, the City of Boston honors not only the man but the moral community that believed in the power of words to transform a nation. As a descendant, I stand before you as living proof that his hope endured, and the fight continues to bear fruit in every act of justice & remembrance. May Solomon’s story remain a living reminder that freedom work is never done, and that Boston’s moral voice still matters. My ancestor once spoke here for justice. Today, I speak here for memory and gratitude.”

During his lifetime, Solomon Northup visited Massachusetts frequently, appearing before the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1855, led by Senator Charles Sumner, alongside Anthony Burns and young slave child Mary Mildred (Botts) Williams. These visits underscored Boston’s central role in the abolitionist movement and in the broader fight for civil rights. 

The sculpture is set to be permanently installed in a custom designed plaza at the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse, in Marksville, Louisiana where Northup reclaimed his freedom on January 4, 1853.

On Sunday, October 26, a book talk with Irvin Weathersby, Jr., author of In Open Contempt: White Supremacy in Art and Public Spaces. This will be followed by a screening of the short film Written Out of History by Max Carocci and Simona Piantieri. The event will be held at Loring-Greenough House (12 South St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130) in Jamaica Plain from 6:00-8:30 pm.

For more information about upcoming programming in Boston, visit the North American Indian Center www.naicob.org. 

To learn more about Solomon Northup Sculpture project, visit www.snccw.com

More about Northup’s story, read “Twelve Years A Slave.”

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Exhibition Details

Title: Hope Out of Darkness

Artist: Wesley Wofford, FNSS

Dates: October 20 – December 10, 2025

Location: Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center, Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA

Co-Hosts: North American Indian Center of Boston and the Greenway Conservancy

Commissioned by: Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works

Photo credits:

IMG_5235 “Rep. Sam Montaño speaks” photo courtesy Raquel Halsey

IMG_5239 “Jean-Luc Pierite, L’Merchie Frazier, Selma de Matos Rocha, Melisas Howell, Stefannie Lucas-Poellnitz, Rev. Kevin Peterson” photo courtesy Raquel Halsey

IMG_5280 “Reggi Alkiewicz, Melissa Howell, Councilor Benjamin Weber, Jean-Luc Pierite, Janelle Sack-Pocowatchit” photo courtesy Jordan Frias

IMG_6318 “Jean-Luc Pierite speaks” photo courtesy Raquel Halsey

IMG_6330 “Melissaa Howell speaks” photo courtesy Raquel Halsey

IMG_9129 “‘Hope Out of Darkness’ by the Wofford Sculpture Studio” photo courtesy Jordan Frias

IMG_9141 “Stefannie Lucas-Poellnitz, Melissa Howell, Selma de Matos Rocha, L’Merchie Frazier, and Jean-Luc Pierite” photo courtesy Jordan Frias

IMG_9268 “Mayor Michelle Wu, Melissa Howell, and Jean-Luc Pierite with ‘Hope Out of Darkness Day’ Proclamation” photo courtesy City of Boston Mayor’s Office

IMG_9296 “Group photo during the October 22, 2025 Boston City Council Meeting” photo courtesy City of Boston City Council

IMG_9503 “‘Hope Out of Darkness’ by the Wofford Sculpture Studio” photo courtesy Raquel Halsey

IMG_9297 “Governor’s citation” photo courtesy Melissa Howell

IMG_8802 “Book talk and screening flyer” courtesy Jean-Luc Pierite

Day of Flyer “Unveiling Flyer” courtesy Melissa Howell

Link to photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10PBj2roejc4A8UIrWgmG3d8Gn910hjDX?usp=sharing

麻州醫療體系今年頻傳裁員 至少已砍875個職位

（Boston Orange）麻州的醫療保健系統今年出現一波裁員潮。波士頓商業期刊（BBJ）已證實，至少有875個職位被裁。由於MGB (Mass General Brigham)拒絕提供兩輪裁員共裁了多少人，實際失業人數可能更高。

裁員原因包括醫院面對財務壓力，資金不確定性，聯邦醫療補助政策也不確定，儘管這些機構的整體財務狀況比疫情期間有所改善，但許多機構仍報告重大財務損失和預計收入短缺。

各機構的裁員狀況大致為：

Baystate Health

位於春田市的 Baystate Health 今年(2025)已分兩輪裁員約 140 人， 2024 年 11 月時裁員 134 人。該公司執行長在 2024 年加入時告訴《商業期刊》，該公司正在實施一項為期兩年的財務調整計劃，執行長 Peter Banko 表示，該計劃將帶來一些艱難的抉擇。

麻省布萊根總醫院（MGB）

MGB是麻州最大的醫療系統和最大的私人雇主，今年有兩輪裁員，以應對其聲稱即將出現的 2.5 億美元的收入缺口。該公司一再拒絕透露裁員人數，也沒有證實或否認《波士頓環球報》估計的 1500 人是否準確。該公司有員工8 萬多名，支付了 5,300 萬美元遣散費。

Merrimack Health Haverhill醫院

聖家醫院 – Haverhill和收購方的勞倫斯綜合醫院合併後，現更名為Merrimack Health Haverhill醫院，重塑品牌。5月宣佈計劃削減住院服務，有35名員工會受影響，但院方將為他們在醫院內部找重新安置的機會。

南岸醫療

南岸醫療據傳正在重組，將裁約50名員工，以彌補預計6000萬美元的收入缺口。

根據《Becker的醫院評論》報導，今年全美有84家醫療系統裁員。

健康保險公司部分，今年面臨驚人的營運虧損，迫使它們精簡員工團隊。

Point32Health

位於Canton的Point32Health是麻州第二大健康保險公司，今年已裁員364人。該公司2025年開始時約有4000名員工。該公司今年 3月裁員110人，本月又裁員274人，原因是財務狀況嚴峻。

麻州藍十字藍盾

儘管財務虧損嚴重，藍十字藍盾今年尚未正式裁員，但該機構已向4200名員工中的約750人提供了自願買斷計畫。執行長Sarah Iselin 9月時曾表示，裁員並非不可能。

非營利組織、醫療中心、教育部分：

麻州大學陳曾熙醫學院4月表示，由於聯邦政府削減科研計畫經費，該校已裁員或暫時停職200人。麻州大學陳曾熙醫學院發言人表示，他們最近已通知暫時停職員工，他們的職位已被取消。

據報道，波士頓無家可歸者醫療保健中心 (Boston Healthcare for the Homeless) 的9 月首輪裁員，裁了 25人，因應預期的醫療補助 (Medicaid) 削減。

Brockton社區健康中心執行長 Maria Celli 在一份聲明中表示，該中心 3 月解雇了 65 名員工，以重組機構，確保長期可持續發展。

     今年生物技術產業的裁員人數也在增加。 2025 年第三季度，麻州生物技術產業的失業人數比 2024 年第二季以來的任何一個季度都多。(修訂版）

麻州發現第9宗人類感染西尼羅病毒案

 State Health Officials Announce Ninth Human Case of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

 

Some risk for WNV will continue until there is a hard frost

 

BOSTON (October 24, 2025) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the season’s ninth human case of West Nile virus (WNV) diagnosed in a man in his 50s with exposure in Middlesex County.

 

No risk level increases are indicated at this time of year. At the end of October, municipalities at high risk for WNV will be reduced to moderate until there is a hard frost.

 

“This case is a reminder that WNV infections can occur even in the fall, and we should remain vigilant,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “We are now past the peak season for West Nile virus in Massachusetts, but some risk will continue until the first hard frost, and we are still reminding everyone to continue to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites.”

 

The first WNV-positive mosquitoes in the state this year were announced on June 17. There were a total of 451 mosquito samples that tested positive for WNV this season from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. There was also one animal case of WNV this year in a goat.

 

In addition to WNV, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. There were 23 EEE-positive mosquito samples and no human or animal cases.

 

Surveillance information, including case updates, will continue to be updated as needed and posted online at the Massachusetts Arbovirus Update.

 

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

麻州長Maura Healey直言殘酷 呼籲川普政府取消停止發放SNAP決定

「麵包計劃」執行長Erin McAlear（中）發言，旁為在麻州財政廳長
Deb Goldberg(左二起），麻州州長Maura Healey，副州長Kim Driscoll (右一）

             （Boston Orange 綜合編譯） 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）連同副州長Kim Driscoll，財政廳長Deb Goldberg等人，今（24）日在洛士百利（Roxbury）Nubian市場開記者會，呼籲川普政府取消11月1日起停止發放「補充營養援助計劃 (SNAP)」券的殘酷決定，直言110萬麻州居民生活將大受影響。

            奚莉州長宣佈和“聯合路（United Way）攜手”，設立「聯合回應基金（United Response Fund）」，由「聯合路」設在麻州的13個分支辦公室收受民間捐款，快速提供資源，以緩解社區因為聯邦補著姍姍來遲而受到的大衝擊。

            SNAP是美國政府為幫助經濟有困難家庭獲取食物的補助辦法，發放對象為符合資格的低收入在職者，有小孩家庭，老年人，殘疾人士，以及失業者。

            奚莉州長等人以「史無前例的殘酷」來形容川普總統的停止發放SNAP券決定，直言聯邦政府以前也關門很多次，但歷屆總統都維持SNAP券的發放，而川普總統卻不單只決定11月1日起立即停止發放SNAP，還在同一天決定，依照「一個美麗大法案（OBBBA）」，大幅提高領取SNAP的資格限制。

麻州約有110萬人仰賴SNAP券，以獲取可負擔的食物，其中32%是兒童，26%是耆英，31%為殘障人士。一旦OBBBA的新資格限制生效，估計有15萬麻州居民明年將失去SNAP福利，或者補助縮減。

約9.9萬名所撫養子女年紀再14歲以上，無家可歸，或者年紀在60到65歲之間的麻州居民，將必須證明至少每週工作，或者志願服務，參加政府培訓20小時，才有資格領取SNAP券，否則將受到3年內僅能領取3個月福利的限制。

            約4.5萬人將因為需要填報更多表格，SNAP福利會減少，水電費帳單會上漲。

約9,500名包括難民，特攝者，以及人口走私倖存者等移民，將在明年內完全失去領取福利資格。

麻州過渡援助處（DTA）正在通知SNAP券的收受者，除非川普總統改變決定，下個月，他們將收不到這來自聯邦政府的SNAP福利。

麻州財政廳長Deb Goldberg指出，聯邦政府關門，立即停止食物援助，讓4200萬人陷入危機。剝奪這些人的食物，將不只增加了社會經濟危機，還會造成人們長期的身體健康問題。

因為失去，或SNAP福利減少，立即面對飢餓困境的麻州居民，可以在週一至週五的早上8點至晚上7點，週六的早上10點至下午2點，打電話，或是發簡訊給「麵包計畫（Project Bread）」的食物資源熱線，1-800-645-8333。

麻州居民仍然可以繼續獲得「健康獎勵計劃（HIP）」，以及TAFDC和EAEDC等現金援助計劃。

劍橋市“根源與路線“10/25～26展現當地舞蹈歷史淵源

The Floorboard.(From The Dance Complex)

             （Boston Orange編譯）有新英格蘭最大舞蹈中心之稱的“The Dance Complex”，將於10月25及26兩日，在劍橋市中央廣場的「異士大樓（Oddfellows Building）」，以回顧過往30年的舞蹈創作及表演為主題，舉辦每年一度的「根源與路線（Roots & Routes）」系列表演。

            今年這為期2天的現場演出，將藉由新興舞者以嶄新面貌呈現早期現代舞者作品這方式，來向早年舞者表達敬意，既彰顯新英格蘭地區近百年來與舞蹈等藝術演出的歷史，也展示了“麻州人文（Mass Humanities）”所資助，收集舞蹈創作者在舞蹈綜合中心研發，經營並創作編舞經歷的口頭歷史這“舞越時光：舞蹈綜合中心未公開的故事（Dancing Through Time: The Untold Stories of the Dance Complex）”計畫。

        向編舞先驅致敬的表演者包括舞蹈藝術家，霹靂團（

Roots & Routes舞蹈表演之一。(From The Dance Complex)

The Bang Group）, Sean Bjerke, Lorraine Chapman, Kelli Edwards 和新鄧肯舞蹈計劃（New Duncan Dance Project）的 Sandra Keldsen，地板神（The Floorlords），Lorraine Chapman，Jean Appolon，Olivia Moon，Lonnie Stanton 和現代連結集體（Modern Connection Collective）/Jenny Oliver，音樂家Akili Jamal Haynes，以及其他人。

在資深，極具歷史性，工作激發表現的舞蹈創作者有Ann Brown Allen，Ramón de los Reyes， Isadora Duncan，Adrienne Hawkins等人。Daniel McCusker和Marcus Schulkind的作品，由新一代舞者呈現。2日的完整演出名單在網上dancecomplex.org.。

            執行藝術總監Peter Dimuro表示，位於劍橋市中央廣場的“異士大樓（Oddfellows Building）“歷史悠久，早年曾被用作健身中心，藝術家工作室，“舞蹈綜合中心（The Dance Complex）”也在那兒經營了30多年。今年的“根源與路線”系列將以武道界前輩的口述歷史，深挖過去將近一世紀以來，在這地方播種發芽的舞蹈傳承。他說，歷史絕不千篇一律，舞蹈綜合中心也每天都在中央廣場演繹世界各地的舞蹈。

            兩天的活動安排為：

10 月 25 日 (週六)

7:15 pm： Olivia Moon 和 Akili Jamal Haynes 在 Studio 7 做安置藝術表演，並在 Thompson 劇院投影放映歷史照片。

8:00 pm： 主舞台表演，演出者包括 The Bang Group、The Floorlords、Jean Appolon 等。

9:15 pm： Studio 7 舉辦 DJ 帶動的舞會，由 The Floorlords 主導。

10 月 26 日 (週日)

6:15 pm： Olivia Moon 和 Akili Jamal Haynes 在 Studio 7 做安藝術表演，並在 Thompson Theater 投影歷史照片。

7:00 pm： 主舞台表演。

8:15 pm： 演出後招待會和慶祝活動，地點在 Studio 7。

          “根源與路線”門票在＄15到$50之間，購票可上網dancecomplex.org.。

Senate Approves FY2025 Closeout Supplemental Budget

 Senate Approves FY2025 Closeout Supplemental Budget

Legislation restores critical financial aid funding for students,

implements important transparency measures, and responds to federal actions

 

(BOSTON—10/23/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today approved legislation that responsibly closes the books on Fiscal Year 2025 and advances policy proposals that would ensure integrity in government operations, support the families of former residents of state institutions, and guard student access to financial aid.

 

Senators voted 39-0 to approve the closeout supplemental budget, S.2655, which seeks to reestablish public trust in county sheriffs’ offices by creating a Sheriff Fiscal Oversight Council to hold these offices responsible for spending goals and performance metrics. The bill also commissions an investigation of sheriffs’ Fiscal Year 2025 spending in response to sharp annual growth in the sheriffs’ spending deficits—more than 200 per cent in the last fiscal year alone.

 

The legislation also shines light on a dark chapter of state history by allowing access to former resident records from more than 25 state-run institutions—many of them now closed—for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. The Senate’s proposal helps provide closure to families and recognize the dignity of former patients while remaining mindful of appropriate limits for personal privacy and sensitive medical records.

 

As amended by the Senate, the bill restores $18.3 million in funding for student financial aid assistance ahead of the spring semester and proactively protects additional support for community college students earning degrees through the MassEducate program. A new Public Higher Education Student Support Fund ensures that a key stipend for books and supplies remains fully funded as the Senate reaffirms its commitment to universal higher education.

 

“I’m proud the Senate has taken this opportunity to support our residents and insist on important transparency measures in this closeout supplemental budget,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are reconfirming our commitment to public higher education by restoring and protecting key funding to support college student success. We are protecting our residents from dangerous federal actions by ensuring they have access to the vaccines they need to keep themselves and their families safe. And we are taking steps to remedy decades of hurt experienced by those who lived in state-run institutions, and their families, by allowing access to family records. There are a number of other important provisions in this legislation, which was collaboratively shaped by Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, the entire Senate Ways and Means Committee, and the many Senators who contributed their time and expertise to make this bill strong. I would like to thank everyone, including the residents and advocates we heard from, for this legislation.”

 

“With uncertainty persisting in the federal government, it is important to demonstrate the state’s fiscal integrity,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “That is why, today, the Senate responsibly closed the books on Fiscal Year 2025 with a fiscally sound closeout budget that ensures the Commonwealth meets its obligations while continuing to support critical programs that serve Massachusetts residents. This budget also establishes fiscal oversight of all county sheriffs’ departments, a necessary step to rein in years of overspending that has significantly escalated in FY25. This spending plan initiates the Senate’s commitment to stabilize, investigate, and control sheriff spending in the future. I want to thank Senate President Spilka for providing stable and clear leadership in the face of federal uncertainty, and thank all my colleagues as we work together as a Senate to steer the Commonwealth through these precarious times.”

 

“This Fiscal Year 2025 supplemental budget is a responsive, strategic, and compassionate proposal that demonstrates the Senate’s strength in a time of turbulence,” said Senator Joanne M. Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This is what a big, beautiful bill looks like—allocating funding to feed our children, to protect health care access and affordability, and to ensure higher education remains affordable and accessible to all residents. This bill also safeguards the privacy and safety of residents who access a legal name change, which has been a policy priority for LGBTQ+ and civil rights advocates. I am grateful to Senate President Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues for their bold and fearless leadership.”

 

The legislation contains targeted policy and spending provisions that respond to recent federal uncertainty as part of the Senate’s Response 2025 initiative. An investment of $10 million would fund technology enhancements at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in order to improve the accuracy of benefit payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This Senate-led appropriation would both improve the customer experience for SNAP users and aim to avert harmful cuts brought on by recent federal legislation.

 

The state would gain greater flexibility in determining childhood vaccine schedules under one section of the bill, which decouples the state definition of ‘routine childhood immunizations’ from federal standards. Further, at a time when federal agents’ actions are sowing controversy and disruption in local communities, the false impersonation of a federal officer would be penalized as a state crime under another provision.

 

The supplemental budget features a total $2.3 billion to close out government spending for Fiscal Year 2025, which will result in a net final cost to the state of $795 million after revenue from federal reimbursements has been accounted for. The bill funds a range of programs to support essential government services and aid vulnerable populations, including:

 

• $12 million to support the universal meals program for school children;
• $12.5 million to cover no-cost phone call communications for incarcerated people;
• $14 million to aid people in treatment for substance use and alcohol addiction through Section 35 programs;
• $2.04 billion for MassHealth (with a net cost to the state of only $539 million after reimbursements) covering the rapidly rising cost of providing healthcare;
• $18.5 million to support public health hospitals;
• $18.3 million to strengthen student financial aid assistance;
• $5 million in direct support for reproductive health care;
• $75 million for the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund, which supports affordable rental housing in Massachusetts; and
• $60.7 million for MassDOT’s snow and ice removal expenses.

 

Additional policy sections include the following provisions:

 

• Strengthens Fishing Violation Penalties. Allows the Massachusetts Environmental Police to charge by the pound—or charge the total value of the catch up to $10,000—when imposing fines for fishing violations.
• Helps Implement Multistate Nurse Licensure. Facilitates fingerprint-based background checks for the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact that Massachusetts entered into through the 2024 economic development law.
• Strengthens the Health Safety Net. Updates the hospital assessment and increases funds for the Health Safety Net, subject to federal approval.
• Respects Privacy of People Seeking Name Changes. Removes the automatic requirement of a public legal notice for name-change petitions, instead allowing the court to require public notice in a particular case for good cause.
• Updates State Police Injury Compensation. Updates state police compensation for life-altering injuries to focus on the manner of an attack on an officer rather than the design of the weapon used in the attack.
• Facilitates Broadband-Related Work. Allows municipalities to pay utility companies’ estimates for work to prepare utility poles, rights of way, and other infrastructure for broadband projects.
• Institutes New CBAs. Ratifies seven collective bargaining agreements for public employees.

 

During the course of debate, Senators adopted an amendment to protect thousands of Massachusetts residents who are employed by the U.S. government and currently not receiving paychecks due to Washington’s ongoing federal shutdown. Amendment 2, adopted on a 38-0 roll call vote, would protect federal workers and Armed Forces service members from losing their housing to a residential eviction or foreclosure during a federal government shutdown.

 

All 91 proposed amendments to the bill are posted on the Legislature’s website together with all subsequent votes and a recording of today’s session.

 

The Senate passed its version of the closeout supplemental budget as an amendment to a version previously approved by the House of Representatives on October 15, 2025. The underlying legislation was originally filed by the Governor on August 14, 2025. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives for further consideration.