The Saturday Send
Senate passes $3.6 billion environmental bond bill in bipartisan vote
By Jordan Wolman
The $3.64 billion bond bill, the state’s first for environmental efforts since 2018, is meant by and large to address the state’s adaptation to a changing climate, though Massachusetts projects the need will far outpace the spending authorized by this measure alone.
Political Notebook: South Hadley voters reject controversial Proposition 2½ override
By Hallie Claflin, Jordan Wolman, and Chris Lisinski
The proposals sparked a heated local debate as sluggish state aid growth and strict limits on local tax increases continue to trap many local governments in a difficult position with few options to manage rising costs.
Massachusetts celebrates health care milestone amid gathering storm clouds
By Michael Jonas
Twenty years after Massachusetts passed landmark health care reform legislation that gave the state the highest rate of insurance coverage in the country, the leading players behind the law gathered in the same storied meeting hall where the 2006 bill was signed to celebrate their uncommon achievement.
Head Start programs face funding squeeze
By Jennifer Smith
Head Start is navigating what advocates describe as a painful stretch of uncertainty. The federal budget for the early ed program is level-funded, lagging cost increases. While that has forced programs to reduce the number of families they serve, it is a retreat from earlier signals that the administration might seek to eliminate the program entirely.
Gasoline price spike bears down on Massachusetts
By Jordan Wolman
Average regular gas prices in Massachusetts are now $3.97 per gallon, up sharply from $3.47 a month earlier – and $2.96 a year ago, according to AAA.
The grassroots campaign that changed health care
On the latest episode of The Codcast’s Health or Consequences, Paul Hattis interviews his normal co-host John McDonough and Cheri Andes about their work 20 years ago to secure passage of a landmark health care reform law.
Published by MassINC