Beacon Hill In 5

Beacon Hill in 5 is a weekly check-in at the Massachusetts Statehouse from New England Public Media. Get a quick look at the week ahead in state politics and government with Carrie Healy, NEPM’s Morning Edition host, and a journalist from the State House News Service.

Mass. faces a $650M budget gap, lacks federal data to guide lawmakers before looming deadline

Changes to federal tax law will likely leave Massachusetts $650 million less in revenue this fiscal year. Lawmakers are scrambling for possible fiscal workarounds.

10-06
05:44

Federal crackdowns and funding threats put Massachusetts 'eds and meds' economic engine on edge

The Justice Department is ramping up its efforts to root out health care fraud, expanding a regional strike force into Boston.

09-29
03:20

Mass. gambling boom may bust: Report warns about stalled revenue, tax caps and lottery woes

Gambling offering and taxes are getting fresh look as Massachusetts' share of betting revenues clears $1.5 billion per year.

09-22
05:47

The feds push back, but Massachusetts lawmakers spotlight DEI in hearing

The Trump administration has moved quickly and decisively to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Mass. lawmakers are signaling its continued use in the Commonwealth.

09-15
05:52

Massachusetts fights back as federal rollbacks threaten vaccines, public protections

Massachusetts will break ties with federal immunization policies to ensure the availability of COVID-19 booster shots at retail pharmacies, and mandate insurance coverage of vaccines.

09-15
05:14

Westfield planning $4M data center with help from state tax breaks

In this week's Beacon Hill in 5, a look at the proposed data center in Westfield that will cost about $4 million.

08-26
05:08

Massachusetts voters may weigh major tax questions on 2026 ballot

We break down how income taxes fund Massachusetts’ budget, and what a cut could mean for state revenue and services.

08-18
06:41

Beacon Hill quiets down in August. Meanwhile, big policy fights shift to the ballot box

Despite Beacon Hill being quiet, a number of ballot questions have cleared the first hurdle towards getting onto the Massachusetts ballot.

08-11
05:48

Will Mass. lawmakers return to the State House if Healey holds out for raising bar advocate pay?

Massachusetts lawmakers sent a supplemental budget to the governor before their August break, including a proposed pay raise for court-appointed bar advocates.

08-04
05:24

Gov. Healey skips the governor's summit; Can she steer Mass. through Trump-era roadblocks?

The summer gathering of governors' wrapped up on Saturday. Mass. Gov. Maura Healey did not attend, instead opting to stay in the Commonwealth.

07-28
05:46

Mass. governor signs budget, quietly adding a $130M spending plan

A State House News Service reporter digs into that supplemental budget request and explains what Mass. Gov. Maura Healey is seeking.

07-14
05:55

New joint rules lead to questions on transparency for Massachusetts lawmakers

For the first time in six years, Beacon Hill rewrites its rule book — promising transparency, but leaving plenty of room to operate in the dark.

07-01
06:20

Massachusetts lawmakers have been passing spending bills. But what about the state budget?

It remains unknown how far apart Mass. House and Senate negotiators are on crafting a compromise annual budget.

06-23
04:54

Healey hosts New England governors to talk tariffs, tourism

State House News reporter Colin Young spoke with NEPM'S Carrie Healey about which governors will attend a meeting on Beacon Hill today to discuss the impact of tariffs on New England residents and businesses.

06-16
05:37

Transparency push stalls as Mass. lawmakers continue squabble over virtual meeting attendance

More than five months into lawmaking, and Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers have yet to agree to joint rules to foster transparency and process.

06-09
05:05

Mass. House eyes cannabis industry changes, Healey administration trims business regulations

Last week, a Massachusetts House committee advanced a bill seeking to make changes to the state's cannabis regulatory agency. The proposal also increases the cap on licenses for business owners.

06-02
05:05

Rules confusion clouds the Massachusetts legislative process

More than four months into the Legislative session, lawmakers on Beacon Hill have not agreed on a rules package, and that's beginning to affect western Mass. residents.

05-19
05:21

WMass doctor warns lawmakers about healthcare breaking point

A western Massachusetts family practice doctor has testified at seven hearings on Beacon Hill. Meanwhile, lawmakers have not enacted meaningful changes to enable her to keep from laying off staff.

05-12
05:38

Massachusetts hits a solar milestone, but can the grid handle the heat?

There are days when the demand for electricity falls at midday and then rises through the evening and into the night. Grid operator, ISO New England, points out that when you look at charts of those days, it sort of looks like the profile of a duck. So, they call these days "duck curve days."

04-29
05:44

Mass. House lawmakers push big spending hike despite federal funding fears

The Mass. House Ways and Means Committee released its $61.4 billion fiscal 2026 budget. Floor deliberations are planned for the week of April 28.

04-21
05:41

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