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Insights, analysis, and guidance from the world of Massachusetts politics and municipal affairs.

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InstaTrac at FOCUS 2025, You Can’t Miss This Year’s Budget Policy Conference

InstaTrac at FOCUS 2025, You Can’t Miss This Year’s Budget Policy Conference

InstaTrac will demonstrate MassTrac tools at FOCUS 2025, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's inaugural policy conference. Features showcased include Smart Compare for side-by-side budget text and amendment comparison, searchable speaker-attributed transcripts synced to video for capturing fiscal debates, real-time alerts for budget amendments and line-item changes, and hearing notifications.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
Small Towns, Big Impact 

Small Towns, Big Impact 

Small municipalities with limited staff and tight budgets face heavy meeting documentation burdens including manual transcription, tight publication timelines, and high transparency expectations. MuniTrac provides 24-hour transcripts with speaker attribution, keyword-searchable records synced to video timestamps, auto-generated meeting minutes reducing manual drafting hours, and built-in multilingual translation for accessibility.

MassTrac Staff ·
Local Government
MassTrac in Your Inbox

MassTrac in Your Inbox

MassTrac's Daily Alert delivers personalized legislative updates in one email including new bills and amendments to track, actions on tracked bills with customizable frequency, new bill text alerts for as-filed, substituted, amendment, or enacted versions, upcoming committee and regulatory hearings, transcripts with keyword alerts and legislator testimony notifications, filtered news and press releases, and section-by-section budget summaries.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
How MassTrac’s Smart Compare Tool Can Help Sharpen Your Legislative Strategy

How MassTrac’s Smart Compare Tool Can Help Sharpen Your Legislative Strategy

MassTrac's Smart Compare Tool enables detailed bill version comparison through the Bills & Laws tab. Features include side-by-side and inline viewing modes, section-level change tracking with percentage modifications based on word count, deleted sections shown as strikethrough text, highlighted additions, manual section realignment for reorganized content, and citation comparison editing.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Legislative Intelligence

Legislative Intelligence

Legislative intelligence involves tracking State House activity before it impacts organizations or communities. MassTrac's service provides customized tracking across multiple bills with real-time alerts for keywords, sponsors, and committees; comprehensive bill overviews with legal and AI-generated summaries, legislative histories, and amendment tracking; side-by-side bill version comparison tools; and legislator profiles including voting history, committee assignments, and sponsored bills.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
InstaTrac and the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Partnership

InstaTrac and the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Partnership

InstaTrac has partnered with the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN), representing 550 nonprofit organizations statewide. MNN members receive revenue-scaled discounts on InstaTrac's legislative tracking platform, including real-time bill and budget tracking, bill text comparisons, summarized budgets, committee activity updates, legislator and staff contact information, and customized alerts.

MassTrac Staff ·
Case Studies
House Ways & Means FY26 Outside Sections

House Ways & Means FY26 Outside Sections

The House FY26 budget totals $61.4 billion with major allocations: $22.4 billion for MassHealth, $7.36 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, $1.31 billion in local aid, and $1.61 billion for higher education. Fair Share surtax revenue of $1.95 billion funds $360 million in childcare grants, $240 million for per-pupil reimbursements, $190 million for free school meals, and $94 million for free community college. Notable omissions include Pappas Hospital closure and candy sales tax expansion.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
2025 - 2026 Refiled Bills

2025 - 2026 Refiled Bills

Refiled bills are proposals reintroduced after failing to pass in previous sessions, either unchanged or revised based on feedback. The 2025-2026 Massachusetts session received 6,853 bills with 48% being refiles. Leading refilers include Sen. Bruce Tarr with 96 bills, Sen. Patrick O'Connor with 93, and Rep. Brad Jones with 90. MassTrac users can track refiles through bill pages, compare versions using text comparison tools, and re-track previous session bills via dashboard buttons.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
2023-2024 Session By The Numbers

2023-2024 Session By The Numbers

The 2023-2024 Massachusetts legislative session filed 10,159 bills with only 391 enacted, a 45% decrease from 2021-2022. Key metrics include 3,362 bills sent to study, 8,995 amendments filed, 460 committee hearings held, and 455 roll call votes. Sen. Paul Feeney was most effective moving 68 bills through. Sen. Bruce Tarr sponsored 156 bills and proposed 108 FY25 budget amendments. Sen. Joan Lovely received $5.6 million in FY25 earmarks.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
MassTrac’s 2025 New Features

MassTrac’s 2025 New Features

Starting January 1, 2025, MassTrac introduces AI-generated bill overviews, event transcript synopses, MassTrac Copilot for legislative questions, enhanced statutory citation search beyond keywords, real-time notifications for tracked topics, a "What's New" dashboard highlighting upcoming debates and events, centralized legislative staff directory, and external track sharing with assignment capabilities for team collaboration.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Election Related Legislation in MA

Election Related Legislation in MA

The 2023-2024 Massachusetts legislative session enacted 17 election bills on local rules and polling locations. Despite 35 campaign finance bills introduced, none passed. Notable proposals included HB4173 limiting dark money in local government, HB722 banning foreign-influenced corporate spending, SB2062 disqualifying convicted felons from lobbying, HB709 regulating political push-polling, SB2730 limiting political deepfakes, and SB414 establishing public matching funds for candidates.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
2024 Massachusetts Ballot Measures

2024 Massachusetts Ballot Measures

Massachusetts voters face five ballot questions: Question 1 allows the state auditor to audit the legislature; Question 2 eliminates MCAS as a graduation requirement; Question 3 authorizes sector-based bargaining for rideshare drivers; Question 4 legalizes naturally occurring psychedelics including psilocybin for personal and clinical use; Question 5 phases out the $6.75 tipped minimum wage to reach $15 by 2029 while allowing tip pooling among restaurant staff.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Lack of Competition in State Legislature

Lack of Competition in State Legislature

Of 200 Massachusetts legislative seats, 135 House incumbents and 32 Senate incumbents run unopposed, totaling 83.5% uncontested races. Contributing factors include no term limits allowing longtime incumbents to accumulate advantages, lower turnout in non-presidential/gubernatorial years, incumbents' ability to transfer campaign funds between cycles while challengers start from zero, and ballot-order effects placing incumbent names first, which research shows increases electoral performance.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Preparing to Lobby for the 2025-2026 Legislative Cycle

Preparing to Lobby for the 2025-2026 Legislative Cycle

Successful Massachusetts lobbying requires mastering the two-year legislative cycle, researching legislators and districts using MassTrac's profiles and monthly-updated staff directories, developing data-backed objectives, tracking policy trends from 1995 onward, building coalitions through MassTrac's lobbyist database, and conducting concise meetings with professional follow-up to maintain relationships throughout the legislative process on Beacon Hill.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Formal vs Informal Sessions

Formal vs Informal Sessions

Massachusetts formal sessions permit roll call votes, full debates, and amendments with required quorum (81 House, 21 Senate) traditionally ending July 31st. Informal sessions use voice votes requiring unanimous consent, allow limited debate, need no quorum, and run year-round for routine matters. Fifteen major bills remain unpassed after July 31st, 2024. The Economic Development Bill requires a special formal session for its bonding component under state constitution.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Bills in Extension: Legislative Inefficiency

Bills in Extension: Legislative Inefficiency

The 2023-2024 Massachusetts session recorded the lowest roll call votes in five sessions and 175 bill extension orders, the highest in 10 years. Contributing factors include an 84% Democratic House supermajority and 90% Senate supermajority reducing competitive pressure, veteran legislators facing less accountability, leadership changes under Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka, and widespread leadership stipends potentially discouraging independence and legislative criticism.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Votes by Chamber 2023-2024

Votes by Chamber 2023-2024

Despite being a full-time legislature, Massachusetts passes fewer bills than expected. The 2023-2024 session recorded only 448 total votes across both chambers—the lowest in six sessions. The Senate held 249 votes with nearly 20% in July 2024 alone, while the House recorded 199 votes with 59% occurring in the final four months. Previous sessions like 2015-2016 saw 1,240 votes, highlighting the current legislature's historically low productivity and last-minute concentration.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
How InstaTrac Can Benefit Your Media Organization

How InstaTrac Can Benefit Your Media Organization

MassTrac streamlines journalism research with features including Daily Alerts for immediate legislative updates, Talk-2-Text transcriptions of hearings and debates, plain-language bill summaries, bill text comparison tools tracking amendments, comprehensive budget analysis, elected official profiles with voting records and effectiveness ratings, updated staff directories, historical data dating to 1995, and Scorecard features for tracking multiple bills and votes simultaneously.

MassTrac Staff ·
Case Studies
Final FY25 Enacted in Legislature

Final FY25 Enacted in Legislature

The Massachusetts FY25 budget totals $58.03 billion, a $1.8 billion increase from FY24. Key allocations include $6.9 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, $93.5 million for free community college, $20.36 billion for MassHealth, $447 million for the MBTA, $204 million for fare-free Regional Transit Authorities, and $326.1 million for emergency family shelters. The budget also introduces iLottery to fund childcare provider grants totaling $310 million.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
How to Register to Lobby in Massachusetts

How to Register to Lobby in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has strict lobbying laws requiring employers to register as corporations before lobbying registration. Foreign corporations need a registered agent, certificate of good standing within 90 days, and $390 fee. All paperwork must be submitted by December 15, 2024 to lobby in 2025. Annual reports are due 2.5 months after fiscal year end, and lobbyist disclosures are due July 15, 2024. Late registration results in fines from the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Final Senate FY25 Budget

Final Senate FY25 Budget

The Massachusetts Senate approved a $57.9 billion FY2025 budget after adding nearly 500 amendments, $10 million less than the House proposal. Key differences include free community college funding, $555 million for MBTA in the House versus Senate's regional transit focus, and $190 million for universal free school meals in the House compared to $170 million in the Senate. The budget increases Chapter 70 education aid to $6.9 billion.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
Case Study: How Senator Moran’s Office Uses MassTrac to Track Bills

Case Study: How Senator Moran’s Office Uses MassTrac to Track Bills

Senator Susan Moran's office replaced manual spreadsheets tracking 60-70 bills with MassTrac's automated system. Legislative Director Cameron Lease reports key benefits including efficient bill monitoring with alerts, enhanced data analysis for strategic decisions, and streamlined co-sponsorship research. The office now easily generates district-specific reports and tracks bills reported favorably from committee, especially valuable for Joint Rule 10 deadlines.

MassTrac Staff ·
Case Studies
Final House FY25 Budget

Final House FY25 Budget

The Massachusetts House approved a $58.07 billion FY2025 budget, $95.8 million more than the House Ways and Means Committee proposed. Key additions include amendments for Braille publication tax exemptions and conservation land tax credits, plus 748 earmarks totaling $80.3 million. Notable earmark leaders include Rep. Bud Williams with 31 requests and Rep. Tom Stanley securing 92% of his $55 million request, primarily for elder care and healthcare accessibility.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
InstaTrac Celebrating 30 Years

InstaTrac Celebrating 30 Years

Founded by Michael Segal in 1994, InstaTrac has grown from 89 subscribers to serving over 360 organizations and 1,900 users. The company offers MassTrac for bill tracking with side-by-side comparisons and plain English summaries, VoteTrac for campaign opposition research, and MuniTrac for AI-powered municipal meeting transcriptions. InstaTrac remains Massachusetts' only legislative tracking service, leveraging modern technology to provide transparency in government affairs.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Unveiling the 2024 Massachusetts House Ways and Means Budget

Unveiling the 2024 Massachusetts House Ways and Means Budget

The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee proposed a $57.91 billion FY2025 budget, cutting emergency shelter funding to $500 million compared to Healey's $915 million request. Key differences include Millionaires Tax allocation, with the House earmarking $695 million for education versus Healey's $750 million, MassHealth nursing home rates funding at $632 million versus $582 million, and varying public safety department allocations including corrections and legal settlements.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
Blueprint for State House Lobbying in an Election Year

Blueprint for State House Lobbying in an Election Year

During presidential election years, government affairs professionals should capitalize on national momentum to advance state and local goals. Key strategies include linking national issues to regional policy, utilizing polling data to reassess priorities, preparing for rapid response to developing issues like the Alabama IVF ruling, and building early relationships with candidates to establish organizational credibility and expertise.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
The Art of Effective Stakeholder Engagement

The Art of Effective Stakeholder Engagement

Effective stakeholder engagement requires strategic planning including determining clear goals, mapping out stakeholders like elected officials and regulators, creating prioritized tiers, identifying key contacts, evaluating current relationships, and tracking relationship statuses regularly. MassTrac provides tools to implement engagement plans through legislator profiles, lobbying position tracking, committee hearing access, and voting records dating to 1995.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Legislators Not Seeking Reelection in 2024

Legislators Not Seeking Reelection in 2024

Several Massachusetts legislators are leaving office in 2024, including House leaders Rep. Sarah Peake and Rep. Ruth Balser, committee chairs Rep. Gerard Cassidy and Rep. Denise Garlick, and Senator Susan Moran. Notable departures include Rep. Dylan Fernandes running for Senate, Rep. Dan Carey seeking Hampshire County Clerk of Courts, and Sen. Marc Pacheco leaving after decades of environmental leadership. Cape Cod and South Shore districts face significant turnover.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Top 10 Most Read Bills on MassTrac of 2023

Top 10 Most Read Bills on MassTrac of 2023

The most-read Massachusetts bills include Governor Healey's $1 billion tax reform package (HB4104), health equity legislation establishing an Executive Office of Equity, salary range transparency requirements, PFAS elimination over eight years, long-term care quality improvements, comprehensive firearm law modernization (HB4135), and the $4.12 billion Affordable Homes Act addressing housing production and affordability across the Commonwealth.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
A Guide to Effective Local Government Advocacy

A Guide to Effective Local Government Advocacy

Effective local government advocacy requires understanding governance structures, identifying key community issues, building relationships with officials through town halls and meetings, engaging the community via social media and gatherings, attending public meetings, collaborating with local organizations, and crafting compelling messages. MassTrac offers bill tracking for home rule petitions, municipal leader contact information, and MuniTrac transcripts of municipal meetings.

MassTrac Staff ·
Local Government
How to Kill a Bill

How to Kill a Bill

Massachusetts enacts only 0.41% of introduced bills, the nation's lowest ratio. Effective strategies for killing legislation include building organized arguments with powerful messaging, gaining support from legislative leaders like committee chairs, maintaining accurate vote counts, leveraging public opinion through polls and demonstrations, creating diverse coalitions, sharing personal testimonials, and using procedural tactics to stall bills.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Healey Year in Review

Healey Year in Review

Governor Maura Healey, Massachusetts' first woman governor, completed her first year by fulfilling key inaugural promises. Achievements include repurposing state land for housing, signing a $1 billion tax package with expanded renter deductions and child tax credits, launching MassReconnect for free community college, appointing MBTA leadership and a Climate Chief, and protecting reproductive rights. Healey maintains a 58% approval rating.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
How to Effectively Work Together with Lawmakers

How to Effectively Work Together with Lawmakers

Effective advocacy with lawmakers requires thorough research, crafting compelling messages with real-world examples, building relationships through town halls and meetings, utilizing multiple communication channels including social media, collaborating with like-minded groups, maintaining persistence, and educating legislators on issues. MassTrac helps by tracking bills, providing customized alerts, and offering summaries to navigate the legislative process.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
What M4A & PACT 3.0 Mean for the Future of Healthcare in Mass.

What M4A & PACT 3.0 Mean for the Future of Healthcare in Mass.

The Joint Committee on Health Financing will hear bills establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts on November 14th. HB1239/SB744 would create the Massachusetts Health Care Trust as a single-payer system funded by payroll and income taxes. While 71% of residents support state involvement in health equity, similar bills have stalled since 2011. The legislature will also consider SB2499, regulating drug prices and pharmacy benefit managers.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Massachusetts Ends Right-to-Shelter Guarantee Due to Overwhelmed Shelter System

Massachusetts Ends Right-to-Shelter Guarantee Due to Overwhelmed Shelter System

Lawyers for Civil Rights has filed a class action lawsuit challenging Governor Healey's cap on emergency shelter services at 7,500 families. Beginning November 1st, families will be placed on a waitlist when capacity is reached. The crisis has grown due to increased migrant arrivals and lack of affordable housing. Healey has proposed the $4 billion Affordable Homes Act to address housing shortages and declared a state of emergency in August.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
How to Research a Policy Issue

How to Research a Policy Issue

Staying informed on policy issues requires reading current events from major media outlets, consulting academic research on platforms like JSTOR, and researching legislative history to understand past successes and failures. It's also important to examine how different parties and organizations frame issues to target messaging effectively. MassTrac provides news aggregation, bill tracking back to 1995, and access to testimony and press releases.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
A Guide to Growing Your Government Relations Network

A Guide to Growing Your Government Relations Network

Building a strong government relations network is essential for organizations navigating policies and legislation. Key strategies include defining clear goals, attending government events and conferences, joining industry associations, building personal relationships with officials, utilizing social media platforms, and developing effective advocacy strategies. Networking requires offering value to contacts, staying informed about policy changes, and adapting strategies accordingly.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Banning State Agencies from Purchasing Single Use Plastic Bottles

Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Banning State Agencies from Purchasing Single Use Plastic Bottles

Governor Maura Healey will sign an executive order banning state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles and directing agencies to set biodiversity conservation goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050. Massachusetts will become the first state with such a ban. The announcement comes as 432 plant and animal species are protected under the state's Endangered Species Act. Multiple bills addressing plastic reduction are currently before the legislature.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
How to Testify at the State House

How to Testify at the State House

Massachusetts residents can testify virtually or in-person before State House committees on proposed legislation. Effective testimony includes introducing yourself, summarizing your stance, backing arguments with evidence, sharing personal stories, and preparing for questions. Most committees set a 3-minute time limit. Tips include arriving early, staying present during hearings, submitting written testimony, and following up with committee members afterward.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
Massachusetts Legislature Returns from Recess, Healthcare Top Priority for Hearings in September

Massachusetts Legislature Returns from Recess, Healthcare Top Priority for Hearings in September

The Massachusetts legislature is focusing on health care reform in September after passing the state budget. Key hearings will address hospital funding amid $630 million federal aid cuts, the health cost benchmark, mental health care expansion, telehealth services, and ConnectorCare expansion. Bills include protections for mental health patients, digital healthcare equality, and an Executive Office of Equality to advance health equity across the Commonwealth.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
MA Legislature Passes $56 Billion 2024 Fiscal Year Budget

MA Legislature Passes $56 Billion 2024 Fiscal Year Budget

The Massachusetts legislature has sent a $56.2 billion budget to Governor Healey's desk, marking a 6.6% increase from FY2023. The spending plan allocates $522 million from the new millionaire tax to education, including universal free school meals and early childhood programs. It invests $477 million in transportation, with $205 million for the MBTA. The budget also funds community college nursing programs, expands financial aid to undocumented students, and reinstates renter protections.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
Massachusetts Denies Permit for Radioactive Waste Dumping in Cape Cod Bay

Massachusetts Denies Permit for Radioactive Waste Dumping in Cape Cod Bay

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued a draft determination denying Holtec's request to release radioactive waste from the decommissioned Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Cape Cod Bay. The decision cites violations of the Ocean Sanctuaries Act. Legislators have introduced bills to regulate toxic waste and study environmental impacts. With Cape Cod generating $1.3 billion annually in tourism, the decision protects critical economic interests.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Massachusetts Becomes the Next State to Consider Legalizing Psychedelics

Massachusetts Becomes the Next State to Consider Legalizing Psychedelics

The movement to legalize psychedelics is gaining momentum in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts for Mental Health Options Committee has filed paperwork to pursue a ballot measure decriminalizing psilocybin for mental health therapy. Multiple bills have been introduced in the legislature, including HB1754 and HB3589, with bipartisan support. Clinical trials suggest psilocybin can treat major depressive disorder where traditional antidepressants fail, driving advocacy efforts.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Massachusetts Leads the Fight in Consumer Privacy

Massachusetts Leads the Fight in Consumer Privacy

Senator Cynthia Creem has introduced legislation that would make Massachusetts the first state to completely ban the sale and purchase of mobile device location data. SB148 would prohibit service providers from selling location information to third parties and require warrants for law enforcement access. The bill aims to protect vulnerable populations, including those seeking abortion care, domestic violence victims, and targets of bias-motivated attacks.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Representative Michael Day Reveals Gun Safety Bill One Year After Supreme Court Decision

Representative Michael Day Reveals Gun Safety Bill One Year After Supreme Court Decision

Representative Michael Day has introduced comprehensive gun safety legislation in response to the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision. HD.4420 aims to combat "ghost guns," establish enhanced firearm tracing systems, and prohibit carrying in sensitive locations like schools and polling places. The bill would also require live firearm training for carry licenses and ban carrying while intoxicated. While praised by legislative leaders, gun rights advocates have criticized the proposal.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
The Pathway to How a Bill Becomes a Law

The Pathway to How a Bill Becomes a Law

As the 2023-2024 legislative session in Massachusetts picks up, the sheer volume of bills and steps in the legislative process can quickly become overwhelming. Given most bills are beginning the process, a refresher of how exactly a bill becomes a law could be useful. We've put together this guide covering bill filing, committee hearings, three readings, engrossment, conference committees, and the Governor's actions.

MassTrac Staff ·
Tips & Tricks
A Look into Committee Bill Referrals: the Ups and Downs

A Look into Committee Bill Referrals: the Ups and Downs

This week in the Massachusetts Legislature, dockets were given bill numbers and referred to various committees based on subject matter. An almost universal trend was a decrease in the number of bills referred to committees this session. Last session averaged 272 bills referred to committee, this session only saw an average of 202 bills. The Joint Committee on Judiciary leads with 696 bills referred this cycle.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
A Look at the Legislation Combating Racism

A Look at the Legislation Combating Racism

This February, the nation celebrates Black History Month. While it is important to honor all of the work that has been done to create a more equitable society, it is also necessary to highlight the work that still needs to be done. Within the Commonwealth, there have been great strides made in racial equity through legislation addressing harm reduction, cannabis equity, the racial wealth gap, public health disparities, and school segregation.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
The Massachusetts Government Reacts to Climbing Rental Prices

The Massachusetts Government Reacts to Climbing Rental Prices

Boston rents reached record highs in 2022, making it one of the most expensive rental markets in the country and intensifying focus on housing policy in Massachusetts. Mayor Michelle Wu has proposed rent stabilization tied to inflation with limits on annual increases and tenant protections, while Governor Maura Healey has prioritized housing through a new cabinet-level secretary and major funding initiatives. Several state bills also aim to cap rent increases and expand tenant protections.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
A Post-Roe Legislature Sees Opportunity for New Reproductive Healthcare Laws

A Post-Roe Legislature Sees Opportunity for New Reproductive Healthcare Laws

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Massachusetts lawmakers introduced 23 abortion-related bills in the 2023–2024 session. The proposals include measures expanding access to reproductive healthcare, such as improved consent forms, incarcerated care, and university planning requirements, alongside bills adding new restrictions and conditions on abortion. Other filings address sex education standards and reporting, reflecting ongoing debate over access, regulation, and education policy.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
New Legislative Session Brings Potential New Changes to Gun Laws in Massachusetts

New Legislative Session Brings Potential New Changes to Gun Laws in Massachusetts

The 2023–2024 Massachusetts legislative session opens with a renewed push on gun control, as 19 bills are filed in just two weeks, most carried over from prior sessions. Led heavily by Rep. David Linsky, proposals target ghost guns, firearm sales limits, industry liability, and new eligibility rules. Many of these measures previously stalled in committee but are now being revisited amid shifting political control, setting up another major debate on gun policy in the Commonwealth.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
End of Session: Legislation Shifts to Law

End of Session: Legislation Shifts to Law

As the 192nd Massachusetts legislative session nears its close, lawmakers are rapidly advancing major bills that will soon become law. Key measures include HB5090 expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care, HB5060 promoting clean energy and offshore wind, and HB5046 strengthening gun safety rules. Other recent laws include the CROWN Act banning hair discrimination, plus reforms on animal adoption and step therapy in health insurance.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
57 Billion Dollars in 5 Days: The Frenzy of July

57 Billion Dollars in 5 Days: The Frenzy of July

Massachusetts lawmakers advanced the FY23 budget (HB5050) and economic growth and relief bill (SB3018), totaling over $57B in proposed spending and aid. After months of committee work and hundreds of amendments, both measures moved through final legislative stages ahead of the session deadline. Key provisions include expanded health funding, disability services, and policy changes like free inmate calls and child marriage restrictions, highlighting a fast-paced end to the session.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Big Bills Haven't Budged

Big Bills Haven't Budged

As the 192nd Massachusetts legislative session nears its end, over 1,000 bills remain in committee, including several major “big bills” involving spending, healthcare, transportation, and economic policy. Many are stalled in Ways & Means or conference committees after moving through joint committees. While some funding bills advance quickly, issue-focused legislation often lags or carries into the next session, making final passage uncertain before the deadline.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Continued Use of Conference Committees

Continued Use of Conference Committees

Conference committees in Massachusetts reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of major bills. Each includes three members from each chamber and produces a final report that cannot be amended before final votes. In 2021–22, only a minority of legislators served on these committees, with leadership typically appointing experienced members. They are most often used for budget and spending-related legislation and remain a key step in finalizing complex or divided bills.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Incumbents: In or Out? Governor’s Council Races 2022

Incumbents: In or Out? Governor’s Council Races 2022

Massachusetts’ 2022 Governor’s Council races play a key role in approving judicial appointments, pardons, and executive decisions. This analysis covers the 3rd, 5th, and 8th districts, featuring incumbents and challengers with backgrounds in law, public policy, and local government. The 8th District stands out as an open seat with five candidates, while other districts feature long-term incumbents facing challengers in competitive but often low-profile races.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Open Seat Elections 2022: MA House of Representatives

Open Seat Elections 2022: MA House of Representatives

Massachusetts’ 2022 House open seat elections are shaped by redistricting and incumbent retirements or runs for other offices, creating 20 competitive races. Key districts include 4th Essex, 8th Hampden, and 19th Worcester. Candidates range from city councilors and former legislators to community advocates and business leaders. While most are Democrats, some independents and Republicans are also in the mix, making these races important for the future makeup of the legislature.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Open Seat Elections 2022: MA Senate

Open Seat Elections 2022: MA Senate

Massachusetts’ 2022 elections include several open State Senate seats due to retirements and candidates seeking other offices. Key districts include Berkshire/Hampden/Franklin/Hampshire, 1st Essex, 2nd Suffolk, Hampden/Hampshire/Worcester, and 1st Worcester. Candidates range from current legislators to local officials and community advocates, with most identifying as Democrats. The races highlight shifting districts, varied backgrounds, and competitive local dynamics shaping outcomes.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Less Love for Legislators - MA Democratic Party Convention 2022

Less Love for Legislators - MA Democratic Party Convention 2022

The Massachusetts Democratic Convention in Worcester highlighted key 2022 primary dynamics, with no legislative candidate securing a majority endorsement. Delegates showed strong support for Maura Healey for governor, Kim Driscoll leading the LG race, and closely contested battles in auditor and attorney general contests. Results also reflected delegate concentration and internal party divisions ahead of the primary election.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
House v. Senate: The Better Budget Proposal:

House v. Senate: The Better Budget Proposal:

Over the past month and a half in Massachusetts, the primary focus for the state legislature has been to draft and pass a proposal for the FY23 budget. This year’s budget process has invoked intense debate in both the House and Senate, with deliberations likely concluding in the Senate today. While each proposed FY23 budget allocates practically the same allotment of around $49.6 B, the budgets themselves differ in a number of ways. Looking at our data from this year as well as the past decade,...

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
Senate Budget Breakdown - A Decade of Change:

Senate Budget Breakdown - A Decade of Change:

The Massachusetts Senate released 1,178 amendments to its FY23 budget (SB4), totaling $49.7B. The proposal reflects a decade-high in legislative activity, with 77.7% of amendments focused on funding changes. While similar in size to the House budget, it differs in key areas like free school lunches and tax cuts. With competing priorities and record amendments, final negotiations will shape the outcome of this $49.7B spending plan.

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
Alito Opinion Aftermath: Abortion Rights Won’t Change in Massachusetts

Alito Opinion Aftermath: Abortion Rights Won’t Change in Massachusetts

Following the leaked Supreme Court draft overturning Roe v. Wade, abortion access has become a key national issue. In Massachusetts, protections are already codified under the 2020 ROE Act, but legislators continue to file bills to expand access, including on public college campuses. Despite strong protections, advocates warn access gaps remain, making state policy and pending legislation critical to reproductive healthcare availability.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
An Overview: The Work and Family Mobility Act

An Overview: The Work and Family Mobility Act

The Massachusetts Senate is debating SB2851, the Work and Family Mobility Act, allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses. The bill has a long legislative history, strong support from Democrats, and opposition from Republicans over safety and registration concerns. With 25 amendments filed, today’s debate could reshape the final outcome and set up a major policy fight ahead of the next election cycle.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
House Budget Breakdown - A Decade in Review

House Budget Breakdown - A Decade in Review

From fiscal year 2014 to fiscal year 2023, there have been many differences between each budget in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This is in part due to administrative and legislative changes, but also because of the changing needs of the Commonwealth over the past ten years. As debate concluded yesterday evening in the House on the amendments included in the 2023 appropriations act, our data from the last ten years reveals some interesting trends worth noting. 

MassTrac Staff ·
Budget
MassTrac: The best way to find and follow amendments

MassTrac: The best way to find and follow amendments

When we think of budgets, we know they’re supposed to be limited to appropriations. But in Massachusetts, we also know that’s not always the case. Budget season has arrived in the Commonwealth - and with it, thousands of amendments will be coming down the pipeline. MassTrac makes it easy to dig through earmarks, outside section changes, and even General and Session Law changes proposed through the budget process.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy
Gas Tax Amendment Fuels Senate Debate

Gas Tax Amendment Fuels Senate Debate

By now you have undoubtedly noticed the rising price of gasoline here in the Commonwealth, and in fact, across the US. To help people with this unexpected cost, several states, including Georgia, Maryland and most recently Connecticut instituted a gas tax holiday period. During the month of March, debate over instituting a gas tax holiday period took center stage in Massachusetts, leading to passionate remarks, especially in the Senate.

MassTrac Staff ·
Policy

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