Chris Van Buskirk
@bychrisvan.bsky.social
Covering Massachusetts state politics for WBUR | cvanbuskirk@bostonherald.com
HEALEY ENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY: Gov. Maura Healey said she is "formally terminating" the state of emergency she declared in August 2023 as shelter caseloads rapidly increased amid an influx of migrants. Healey also said all hotel shelters have been closed. #mapoli
August 1, 2025 at 4:11 PM
HEALEY ENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY: Gov. Maura Healey said she is "formally terminating" the state of emergency she declared in August 2023 as shelter caseloads rapidly increased amid an influx of migrants. Healey also said all hotel shelters have been closed. #mapoli
BROKER'S FEES: Gov. Maura Healey said plans to sign the FY26 state budget "in the coming days," and will leave intact a provision reforming brokers' fees. "The days of renters being forced to shell out upwards of $10,000 before they can even move into an apartment are over," she said. #mapoli
July 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
BROKER'S FEES: Gov. Maura Healey said plans to sign the FY26 state budget "in the coming days," and will leave intact a provision reforming brokers' fees. "The days of renters being forced to shell out upwards of $10,000 before they can even move into an apartment are over," she said. #mapoli
EXECUTIVE BRANCH HIRING FREEZE: Gov. Maura Healey just announced a hiring freeze across the executive branch in "response to widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening budget outlook for fiscal year 2026." #mapoli
May 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
EXECUTIVE BRANCH HIRING FREEZE: Gov. Maura Healey just announced a hiring freeze across the executive branch in "response to widespread economic uncertainty at the national level and a tightening budget outlook for fiscal year 2026." #mapoli
HANNAH BOWEN: Beverly At-Large City Councilor Hannah Bowen, a Democrat, declared victory in Tuesday's special election for the Sixth Essex House seat that was vacated by former Rep. Jared Parisella. Bowen said she beat Republican Medley Long III. #mapoli
May 14, 2025 at 1:00 AM
HANNAH BOWEN: Beverly At-Large City Councilor Hannah Bowen, a Democrat, declared victory in Tuesday's special election for the Sixth Essex House seat that was vacated by former Rep. Jared Parisella. Bowen said she beat Republican Medley Long III. #mapoli
GUN LAW REPEAL: A group led by the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence filed paperwork last week to set up a fundraising committee to oppose efforts to repeal a major gun law Beacon Hill approved last legislative session. #mapoli
May 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
GUN LAW REPEAL: A group led by the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence filed paperwork last week to set up a fundraising committee to oppose efforts to repeal a major gun law Beacon Hill approved last legislative session. #mapoli
PUBLIC HEALTH: Gov. Healey says she "condemns" Trump's decision to cancel $11B in COVID-19 grants for state/local public health departments. "Trump was elected and promised to make life cheaper, healthier, and easier for people, but he’s taking us backwards," she said. #mapoli
March 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
PUBLIC HEALTH: Gov. Healey says she "condemns" Trump's decision to cancel $11B in COVID-19 grants for state/local public health departments. "Trump was elected and promised to make life cheaper, healthier, and easier for people, but he’s taking us backwards," she said. #mapoli
FEDERAL FUNDING: Gov. Maura Healey says President Trump has delayed $50M in "critical funds" for lead pipe replacement. "Funding local projects is vital to get lead out of our drinking water," she said in a statement.
March 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM
FEDERAL FUNDING: Gov. Maura Healey says President Trump has delayed $50M in "critical funds" for lead pipe replacement. "Funding local projects is vital to get lead out of our drinking water," she said in a statement.
MEETINGS: Senate President Spilka says the Legislature reached an "agreement" to extend remote/hybrid public meetings through 2027. "I have heard loud and clear from my colleagues, and the communities we represent, that hybrid meetings have increased access, engagement, and transparency." #mapoli
March 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
MEETINGS: Senate President Spilka says the Legislature reached an "agreement" to extend remote/hybrid public meetings through 2027. "I have heard loud and clear from my colleagues, and the communities we represent, that hybrid meetings have increased access, engagement, and transparency." #mapoli
REMOTE MEETINGS: House Ways & Means is polling its members this morning on legislation that extends until 2027 a variety of COVID-era rules allowing for remote public meetings, including those held at the local levels. The House gavels into an informal session at 11 a.m. #mapoli
March 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
REMOTE MEETINGS: House Ways & Means is polling its members this morning on legislation that extends until 2027 a variety of COVID-era rules allowing for remote public meetings, including those held at the local levels. The House gavels into an informal session at 11 a.m. #mapoli
MUNI 'EMPOWERMENT' BILL — Gov. Maura Healey filed legislation Friday that would allow cities/towns to raise taxes on meals and hotel stays. This bill is a refile from last year and includes several new provisions. More details below. #mapoli
January 31, 2025 at 6:13 PM
MUNI 'EMPOWERMENT' BILL — Gov. Maura Healey filed legislation Friday that would allow cities/towns to raise taxes on meals and hotel stays. This bill is a refile from last year and includes several new provisions. More details below. #mapoli
SHELTER QUESTIONS: House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz sent a lengthy list of questions to the Healey admin Wednesday that he said need to be answered before the House acts on a $425M request for the state-run shelter system. (It was first reported by @statehousenews). #mapoli
January 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
SHELTER QUESTIONS: House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz sent a lengthy list of questions to the Healey admin Wednesday that he said need to be answered before the House acts on a $425M request for the state-run shelter system. (It was first reported by @statehousenews). #mapoli
FY26 BUDGET: Gov. Maura Healey plans to file her fiscal year 2026 budget Wednesday. She calls the forthcoming plan “a forward-looking and fiscally responsible blueprint for meeting the needs of residents and businesses while taking care of their tax dollars.” #mapoli
January 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
FY26 BUDGET: Gov. Maura Healey plans to file her fiscal year 2026 budget Wednesday. She calls the forthcoming plan “a forward-looking and fiscally responsible blueprint for meeting the needs of residents and businesses while taking care of their tax dollars.” #mapoli
HEALEY TO SIGN HEALTHCARE BILLS: Gov. Maura Healey is scheduled to sign two bills Wednesday that reform oversight of the hospital system and tackle prescription drug costs, her office announced today. #mapoli
January 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
HEALEY TO SIGN HEALTHCARE BILLS: Gov. Maura Healey is scheduled to sign two bills Wednesday that reform oversight of the hospital system and tackle prescription drug costs, her office announced today. #mapoli
MORE SHELTER MONEY: Gov. Healey filed a $425 million spending bill Monday that proposes to use surplus dollars leftover from the pandemic to pay for shelter costs for the remainder of FY25. #mapoli
January 6, 2025 at 10:18 PM
MORE SHELTER MONEY: Gov. Healey filed a $425 million spending bill Monday that proposes to use surplus dollars leftover from the pandemic to pay for shelter costs for the remainder of FY25. #mapoli
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT: Hours after receiving a letter from
@massauditor.bsky.social that kicked off a renewed attempt to audit the House/Senate, spox for House Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka do not say whether they will comply, only that they are reviewing the missive. #mapoli
@massauditor.bsky.social that kicked off a renewed attempt to audit the House/Senate, spox for House Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka do not say whether they will comply, only that they are reviewing the missive. #mapoli
January 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT: Hours after receiving a letter from
@massauditor.bsky.social that kicked off a renewed attempt to audit the House/Senate, spox for House Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka do not say whether they will comply, only that they are reviewing the missive. #mapoli
@massauditor.bsky.social that kicked off a renewed attempt to audit the House/Senate, spox for House Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka do not say whether they will comply, only that they are reviewing the missive. #mapoli
Senate Ways & Means started polling members on:
- H1999 relative to student mental health
- H4937 prohibiting license revocation for student loan default
- H5139 relative to commercial driver's licenses (filed by Gov. Maura Healey)
#mapoli
- H1999 relative to student mental health
- H4937 prohibiting license revocation for student loan default
- H5139 relative to commercial driver's licenses (filed by Gov. Maura Healey)
#mapoli
December 23, 2024 at 5:12 PM
Senate Ways & Means started polling members on:
- H1999 relative to student mental health
- H4937 prohibiting license revocation for student loan default
- H5139 relative to commercial driver's licenses (filed by Gov. Maura Healey)
#mapoli
- H1999 relative to student mental health
- H4937 prohibiting license revocation for student loan default
- H5139 relative to commercial driver's licenses (filed by Gov. Maura Healey)
#mapoli
Rep. Marc Lombardo of Billerica announces he plans to run for House Minority Leader, a position that has been held by Rep. Brad Jones of North Reading. #mapoli
December 18, 2024 at 11:11 PM
Rep. Marc Lombardo of Billerica announces he plans to run for House Minority Leader, a position that has been held by Rep. Brad Jones of North Reading. #mapoli
'DISAPPOINTING OUTCOME' -- House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz says the Senate's decision to effectively end debate on Mayor Michelle Wu's tax shift bill is a "disappointing outcome." "This kind of flexibility has been given to Boston mayors in the past," he said. #mapoli
December 10, 2024 at 9:44 PM
'DISAPPOINTING OUTCOME' -- House budget chief Aaron Michlewitz says the Senate's decision to effectively end debate on Mayor Michelle Wu's tax shift bill is a "disappointing outcome." "This kind of flexibility has been given to Boston mayors in the past," he said. #mapoli
BOSTON TAX BILL: Senate President Karen Spilka says she will not bring Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax shift proposal up for further debate after it was blocked again Monday. “I have heard clearly that there currently is not sufficient support for this proposal,” she said. #mapoli
December 10, 2024 at 1:21 AM
BOSTON TAX BILL: Senate President Karen Spilka says she will not bring Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax shift proposal up for further debate after it was blocked again Monday. “I have heard clearly that there currently is not sufficient support for this proposal,” she said. #mapoli
KING OF JORDAN: Gov. Healey plans to sit down tomorrow with King of Jordan Abdullah II at the Massachusetts State House. Healey plans to host a closed-door business roundtable with the kin in the afternoon. #mapoli
December 4, 2024 at 3:36 PM
KING OF JORDAN: Gov. Healey plans to sit down tomorrow with King of Jordan Abdullah II at the Massachusetts State House. Healey plans to host a closed-door business roundtable with the kin in the afternoon. #mapoli
LEGISLATURE SHOOTS BACK: In response to Auditor Diana DiZoglio's reignited effort to audit the MA House/Senate in the wake of Q1, lawyers for the chambers argued the audit law has not yet taken effect. "Your request is untimely," a letter to DiZoglio from the lawyers said. #mapoli
November 26, 2024 at 9:14 PM
LEGISLATURE SHOOTS BACK: In response to Auditor Diana DiZoglio's reignited effort to audit the MA House/Senate in the wake of Q1, lawyers for the chambers argued the audit law has not yet taken effect. "Your request is untimely," a letter to DiZoglio from the lawyers said. #mapoli
PARISELLA NOMINATION: Gov. Maura Healey nominated Rep. Jerald Parisella to serve as an associate justice of the District Court. Parisella, a Beverly Democrat, was just reelected to serve another two-year term in the House. #mapoli
November 26, 2024 at 6:43 PM
PARISELLA NOMINATION: Gov. Maura Healey nominated Rep. Jerald Parisella to serve as an associate justice of the District Court. Parisella, a Beverly Democrat, was just reelected to serve another two-year term in the House. #mapoli
CLIMATE BILL: Gov. Maura Healey signed climate legislation that, among other things, reforms the renewable energy siting and permitting process. The bill also takes aim at expansions to natural gas service with new requirements. #mapoli
November 21, 2024 at 3:38 PM
CLIMATE BILL: Gov. Maura Healey signed climate legislation that, among other things, reforms the renewable energy siting and permitting process. The bill also takes aim at expansions to natural gas service with new requirements. #mapoli
ECO DEV SIGNED: Gov. Healey signed legislation Wednesday that clears a path for a soccer stadium in Everett, marking a win for the New England Revolution and their owners, the Kraft Group. #mapoli
November 20, 2024 at 5:59 PM
ECO DEV SIGNED: Gov. Healey signed legislation Wednesday that clears a path for a soccer stadium in Everett, marking a win for the New England Revolution and their owners, the Kraft Group. #mapoli
AUDIT LAW: House Speaker Ron Mariano says the House will vote today to change an internal rule that will grant
Diana DiZoglio the "sole authority" to select an independent auditing firm to conduct a financial review of the chamber. The move is in response to Question 1. #mapoli
Diana DiZoglio the "sole authority" to select an independent auditing firm to conduct a financial review of the chamber. The move is in response to Question 1. #mapoli
November 14, 2024 at 5:38 PM
AUDIT LAW: House Speaker Ron Mariano says the House will vote today to change an internal rule that will grant
Diana DiZoglio the "sole authority" to select an independent auditing firm to conduct a financial review of the chamber. The move is in response to Question 1. #mapoli
Diana DiZoglio the "sole authority" to select an independent auditing firm to conduct a financial review of the chamber. The move is in response to Question 1. #mapoli