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By CHRIS LARABEE

For her efforts to advance bills that support seniors, the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has honored state Sen. Jo Comerford with its Legislator of the Year award.In the last legislative session, the Northampton...

By LIESEL NYGARD

CHARLEMONT — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Natalie Blais fielded questions on rural school aid, potential recreation taxes, affordable housing and more during a recent public forum attended by roughly 20 residents.The “ReMarks and Refreshments”...

By TANISHA BHAT

The region’s paraeducators could receive additional support from the federal government when it comes to recruitment, training and retention as part of a bill proposed in Congress by Sen. Ed Markey.The bill — called the Preparing and Retaining All...

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — Some two dozen aspiring nurses spent Monday morning rubbing elbows with four of the region’s top politicians, where they were able to ask what they could do to drum up support for single-payer health care to how to better protect medical...

By CHRIS LARABEE

WHATELY — Joining several neighboring communities in the Pioneer Valley, Whately’s Select Board has signaled its support to write a letter to the Legislature advocating for legislation that could allow municipalities more control over solar energy...

By BELLA LEVAVI

BOSTON — Local residents recently shared their opinions with the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on proposed legislation that would allow for more local control over large-scale solar projects.S.1319/H.2082, “An Act Regarding...

By LIESEL NYGARD

As a way to help cities and towns retain police and firefighters longer, a local lawmaker has filed a bill that would allow them to work in public safety roles until age 72.Under state law, emergency services personnel such as police officers and...

By Chris Lisinski

BOSTON — Most House Democrats lined up Wednesday in support of a major overhaul of the state’s firearms laws, easily hurdling over procedural complaints and sending the Senate a measure that has generated incendiary criticism from gun owners and...

By MARY BYRNE

Valley advocates were among the 21 groups and 258 people to sign a letter sent to the Healey administration last week, encouraging passage of a bill that would provide funding for a Municipal Reforestation Program.The letter asks that the program —...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Advocates for decriminalizing psychedelic drugs are hoping to get traction on Beacon Hill and in Massachusetts cities and towns this year, though they are taking different approaches to changing the law.Grassroots coalition Bay Staters for...

By MADDIE FABIAN

Five separate initiatives supporting veterans of all walks of life are included in the state’s $56 billion fiscal 2024 budget signed into law Wednesday.The budget includes around $1.7 million for programs championed by state Sen. John Velis,...

By MADDIE FABIAN

BOSTON — The Senate moved Thursday to give people the option to select a nonbinary “X” identification on their drivers’ licenses and birth certificates, a choice LGBTQ allies have been advocating for years.The Massachusetts Senate unanimously voted to...

By CHRIS LARABEE

Legislators, education association representatives, and school and town officials were briefed late last week on bills proposing to codify numerous recommendations to ensure the long-term sustain ability of rural schools.Bills H.3567 and S.2388,...

By SAM DRYSDALE

BOSTON — Anyone with a cellphone in their pocket can likely be tracked — to the grocery store or the gym, to work or school, to religious services or health care appointments. With prolific data available on Bay Staters’ day-to-day lives, a bill seeks...

By BELLA LEVAVI

ASHFIELD — Inspired by a model being used in Clifton Park, New York, Dalton resident Tom Irwin is going across Massachusetts to drum up support for a bill that would create a statewide paint recycling program.The bill, H.823 and S.551, has been...

By DOMENIC POLI

BOSTON — At least three Greenfield residents and the state senator representing 25 communities in Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester counties have submitted testimony to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to express support for a bill that would...

By ALISON KUZNITZ

BOSTON — Tree canopies shading Massachusetts cities and towns could grow dramatically, particularly in environmental justice communities where there’s currently scant coverage, under a legislative proposal to launch a municipal reforestation...

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — Two Newton lawmakers are hoping to begin to stamp out abusive coaching practices and the toxic culture of some middle and high school sports teams with a piece of legislation that would help districts emphasize self-awareness, self-control,...

By BELLA LEVAVI

NORTHAMPTON — With new legislation, U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) hopes to permanently increase the federal reimbursement for school meals.“This is one piece of the puzzle, but it is an important piece,” McGovern said in a phone interview.His bill,...

By JULIAN MENDOZA

MONTAGUE — Red Fire Farm’s Ryan and Sarah Voiland joined hundreds of farmers from across the U.S. for a recent climate rally in Washington, D.C., marching to the Capitol before meeting with legislators to ask for climate change policy to be a priority...

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern and Sen. Ed Markey reintroduced a bill Wednesday that would begin the process of designating the Deerfield River as a National Wild and Scenic River.First introduced by McGovern, D-Worcester, in a July 2022...