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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
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Today (June 30, 2025) , Speaker Mariano and I issued the following statement on the Legislature's FY26 Budget:
"We are incredibly proud of the agreement that was reached by the House and Senate on Friday. This is a budget that delivers for Massachusetts residents and reflects our shared commitment to spending taxpayer dollars responsibly.
This agreement incorporates many of the strongest proposals from both chambers, will make Massachusetts more affordable, and will protect our most vulnerable residents.
As President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to pursue devastating cuts to programs that millions of Americans rely on, we recognize the heightened importance of passing a fiscally responsible budget that invests in the areas that we value most.
This budget does exactly that.
We are deeply grateful to Chairs Rodrigues and Michlewitz, Vice Chairs Comerford and Ferrante, and the members of both chambers for their thoughtful work in delivering a timely and meaningful budget.
We look forward to sending it to the Governor’s desk on Monday."
"Today (07/04/25), Governor Maura Healey signed the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) state budget, a $60.9 billion plan that is fiscally responsible, lowers costs, protects essential care and services, and moves the Massachusetts economy forward.To further control spending and protect taxpayer dollars, Governor Healey is vetoing $130 million, resulting in a final budget that is more than $1 billion less than the H1 proposal and $130 million less than the final conference budget. The administration is also continuing an Executive Branch hiring freeze, halting a planned non-union manager pay raise scheduled for January, saving $17 million, and delaying payment on earmarked funds for local projects in the budget totaling approximately $125 million until later in the year when more is understood about their affordability.“I’m proud to sign a budget that is fiscally responsible and protects what makes Massachusetts special,” said Governor Healey. “I’m grateful to the Legislature for their strong partnership and efficient work to develop and pass this budget for the people we serve. In Massachusetts, we are continuing to lead and do what we know works – focusing on lowering costs, protecting essential care and services, and moving our economy forward by investing in housing, transportation and our schools. We are also signing this budget in a moment of great dysfunction in Washington. The President is poised to sign a bill that’s going to kick hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents off their health care, increase energy and groceries prices, and cost people their jobs.”
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The Mass FY 2026 budget closes out with Gov Healy signature |
"I’m proud to share that the House and Senate have reached an agreement on joint rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session and that the coinciding conference committee report has been filed.
Agreement on Joint Cmte Rules This is a win for the public as the rules promote an accessible and transparent legislative process.
You can learn more at karenspilka.com/updates/factsheet-jointrules."
"Today, House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano and Senate President Karen E. Spilka issued the following statement regarding the conference committee on joint legislative rules:"We are proud to announce that, for the first time since 2019, the House and Senate have reached an agreement on new joint rules. Once adopted, these joint rules will govern the 2025-2026 legislative session.At the beginning of this session, we committed our respective chambers to deliver a transparent and efficient legislative process that meets the moment. This agreement draws on key provisions from each chamber’s original proposals, and represents our shared commitment to creating an accessible and productive Legislature that responds to the concerns of our constituents and delivers for Massachusetts.We are deeply grateful to Senate Majority Leader Creem, House Majority Leader Moran, Senate Rules Chair Lovely, House Rules Chair Galvin, and all members of the conference committee for their thoughtful and collaborative work.We look forward to filing the conference committee report and sharing details of the agreement later today, and to a productive legislative session strengthened by these new joint rules."
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“I am proud to endorse Rep. Jeff Roy for re-election as the State Representative for Franklin and Medway. He has been a partner and champion on climate and energy issues, spearheading efforts to pass landmark climate and energy bills, as well as legislation to address substance use disorder, economic development, and civil rights. And he has consistently delivered critical local aid to Franklin and Medway. I look forward to continuing to partner with him."
“Representative Roy has been a highly effective and skilled legislator for more than a decade, advancing important laws addressing education, economic development, healthcare, criminal justice, and civil rights. In his role as Chairman of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee, Jeff spearheaded efforts to pass landmark climate and energy legislation to legislation strengthening protections for survivors of abuse and exploitation. His district and the Commonwealth will benefit from his continued leadership at the State House."
“has been a partner in the work, including protecting our environment and addressing climate change. With significant local and state government experience, he is passionate about getting things done and having an impact on all of his constituents, including his seniors, students, and those often forgotten.”
“deeply appreciates your past support for law enforcement and your commitment to public safety in the Commonwealth. Your proven leadership and dedication aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure the safety of our communities and the well-being of our members.”
“The Massachusetts AFL-CIO Executive Council has officially voted to endorse your re-election. On behalf of nearly half a million members across the Commonwealth, we are proud to support candidates like you who have demonstrated a commitment to the values and principles of the Labor Movement, and create an economy that works for working people.”
FM #1176 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1176 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
We continued making sense of climate on an almost extemporaneous discussion similar to what we recently had. Starting with highlights from Ted’s experience of the eclipse, and with my highlights from the Citizen Legislative Seminar where I spent 2 days in State House.
NY Attorney General sues meat producer https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/29/new-york-jbs-climate-lawsuit
Meat a contributor https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/us-banks-sabotaging-own-net-zero-plans-by-livestock-financing-report-claims
80/20 rule strikes again https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/just-57-companies-linked-to-80-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-since-2016
How to spot five of the fossil fuel industry’s biggest disinformation tactics https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/14/climate-disinformation-explainer?CMP=share_btn_url
This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.
If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.
The conversation runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1176-making-sense-of-climate-42-04-16-24--------------
** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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