Press Room

An Act clarifying the duties of The Adjutant General makes a technical clarification to the chain-of-command structure governing Massachusetts National Guard members, bringing Massachusetts in line with the vast majority of other states’ statutes.

The Massachusetts Senate today approved legislation that responsibly closes the books on Fiscal Year 2025 and advances policy proposals that would ensure integrity in government operations, support the families of former residents of state institutions, and guard student access to financial aid.

The Fiscal Year 2025 closeout supplemental budget allows the Commonwealth to responsibly ensure the programs and services residents rely on are adequately funded through the close of Fiscal Year 2025. It also advances policy proposals that establish fiscal oversight of county sheriffs’ departments, allow the families of former residents of state institutions access to their records, and ensure continued access to universal free community college through the MassEducate program.

The Massachusetts Senate’s Committee on Ways and Means voted today to advance a supplemental budget that responsibly closes the books on Fiscal Year 2025. The legislation also establishes fiscal controls for county sheriffs’ offices, shines transparency on the records of certain state institutions, and protects financial aid commitments for community college students.

The Massachusetts Senate today set a date for a special election to fill the First Middlesex District seat, which became vacant following the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy earlier this month. The special election to fill the vacancy will be held on March 3, 2026. Primaries will be held 30 days prior, on February 3, 2026.

The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously approved legislation improving the safety of drivers and telecom, gas, and electric utility workers with an expansion of the state’s Move Over law.

Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a pair of bills that advance its commitment to health equity by promoting safe and easy access to menstrual products.

Today, Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, issued the following statement regarding funding for sheriffs’ offices in the Fiscal Year 2025 Closeout Supplemental Budget.