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Massachusetts Retailers Set for Sales Tax-Free Weekend on August 9, 10
June 12, 2025 Saturday, August 9, 2025, and Sunday, August 10, 2025, are the official dates of Massachusetts’ annual sales tax holiday thanks to actions taken by the Massachusetts Legislature today. During the holiday, the state’s 6.25 per cent sales tax is suspended for most retail items priced under $2,500.
Senate Approves Bill Marking Annual Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day in Massachusetts
June 5, 2025Today the Massachusetts Senate gave final approval to a bill that would mark an annual Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day in Massachusetts. Once signed into law by the Governor the first observance will be set for this Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Massachusetts Senate Passes Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to Safeguard Financial Health and Protect the State’s Most Vulnerable
May 22, 2025The Massachusetts Senate today approved a $61.4 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Over three full days of debate, the Chamber adopted 493 amendments, adding a total of $81.1 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities for communities throughout the Commonwealth to the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s originally proposed budget.
Notable Amendments Added to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
May 22, 2025During three days of debate on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Senate added amendments that included policy to unlock housing production, lower the cost of prescription drugs, empower municipalities to control liquor licenses, and expand benefits for Gold Star spouses, among other policies.
Senate Votes to Empower Cities and Towns to Issue Alcohol Licenses
May 22, 2025Today the Massachusetts Senate adopted an amendment to their Fiscal Year 2026 budget that would allow cities and towns to set the number of alcohol licenses that would be available for restaurants and bars within their communities.
Senate Addresses Prescription Drug Costs, Gold Star Benefits, Pediatric Care in Second Day of Debate
May 21, 2025The Massachusetts Senate today added provisions to the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to lower prescription drug costs, expand benefits for Gold Star spouses, and increase funding for pediatric palliative care, among other amendments adopted during debate.
Senate Addresses Housing Crisis, Reproductive Care, Mental Health with Budget Amendments
May 20, 2025The Massachusetts Senate today added provisions to the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to address the housing crisis and combat threats to reproductive and mental health care.
Massachusetts Senate Passes Health Insurance Funding for State Employees
May 15, 2025(BOSTON—5/15/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $240 million supplemental budget that will direct funds to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the health insurance agency responsible for delivering coverage to state and local government employees. The funding ensures that health care providers will continue to be paid for services rendered to employees.