A push from a right-wing Billerica lawmaker to lower a series of taxes in Massachusetts spotlighted a contentious feud between a contingent of rank-and-file members of the House Republican caucus and conservative leadership in the chamber.
State House
Massachusetts spending on shelters housing migrants, locals tops $700M in FY25, data shows
Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has spent more than $700 million this fiscal year on taxpayer-funded shelters housing migrants and local families even as the number of families in shelter dropped below 5,000 last week, according to public data last updated April 17.
‘Force for good’ — Massachusetts elected officials mourn death of Pope Francis
Elected officials from across Massachusetts mourned the death of Pope Francis, an Argentine who local politicians celebrated as a “force for good” and someone who brought a “unique” perspective to the papacy.
Massachusetts House plans to open ethics investigation into pol charged with fraud
The Massachusetts House Ethics Committee plans to open an investigation into Rep. Chris Flanagan, the Dennis Port Democrat charged with federal fraud, after his court proceedings wrap up, a key lawmaker said in a statement Monday.
House Speaker Ron Mariano pledges not to raise taxes in fiscal year 2026 budget
House Speaker Ron Mariano pledged not to raise taxes or fees in Massachusetts as part of the state budget process this year, create a procedure to “better predict” the impact of policy decisions on energy costs, and said his chamber’s fiscal 2026 spending plan’s bottom line would come in below Gov. Maura Healey’s $62 billion proposal.
Canadian utility company paid for parts of Mass. lawmakers’ trip to hydroelectric facility
A group of Massachusetts lawmakers who visited Canadian hydroelectric facilities in March were ferried there on the dime of a public utility company that runs a power line between Quebec and Ayer, according to documents obtained by the Herald.
