On Wednesday, September 1st, Attorney General Maura Healey certified 17 out of 30 ballot proposals filed in August to continue on the path to securing a spot on the 2022 ballot. Of the 17 proposals certified, 16 were...more
Congress has passed another coronavirus relief package, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which allocates significant funding to states to address shortfalls experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these dollars are...more
Only a handful of states have sought to tax digital advertising, and the path forward is murky at best due to practical considerations, federal preemption and constitutional questions. However, there are at least 4 bills...more
During his annual State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Charlie Baker highlighted the heroic work of frontline workers and first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while reminding the Commonwealth that though...more
Economists create graphs, charts and projections on the economy daily, crafting commentary to explain the ebbs and flows of market success and failures based on a variety of factors. That is no longer the case as the nation...more
This week, Governor Charlie Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 19, “Order Regarding the Conduct of Shareholder Meetings by Public Companies. This Order, which is effective immediately, suspends certain requirements of M.G.L....more
Governor Charlie Baker just announced he is extending COVID-19 Order No. 13 that mandates the closure of non-essential businesses. This order, initially set to expire on April 7th, was extended to Monday, May 4th. This...more
The Baker Administration, along with prioritizing the needs of medical professionals on the front lines of the fight against the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), have taken significant steps to relieve pressure on small...more
On Monday, March 23rd, the Baker Administration issued a stay at home advisory, along with an order (COVID-19 Order No. 13) requiring businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close...more
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (“HPC”) held its annual Health Care Cost Trends Hearing on October 16-17, 2018. The hearing covered a wide range of topics affecting the health care industry here in the Commonwealth...more
10/25/2018
/ Electronic Medical Records ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Insurance ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Costs ,
Mental Health ,
Opioid ,
Popular ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Telemedicine ,
Transparency
On Friday, May 25, 2018, the Senate unanimously approved a $41.49 billion budget for FY2019. The Senate’s passage of its annual spending plan follows Governor Charlie Baker’s budget proposal made in January and the House...more
On April 27, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a $41.55 billion FY2019 budget by a vote of 150-4. Over four days of debate, the House considered 1,400 amendments to pass a final budget that authorizes $158.6...more
On Wednesday, April 11, the House Ways and Means Committee proposed a $40.991 billion budget for FY2019 that represents an increase of $1.24 billion, or 3.1 percent, above FY2018 spending levels. The budget proposes $83...more
With the end of the 2017-2018 legislative cycle fast approaching, Beacon Hill’s agenda for the coming months has begun to take shape. All major policymaking will need to be concluded by the end of formal sessions on July 31,...more
On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, Governor Charlie Baker released a $40.9 billion budget proposal for FY2019. The plan, commonly referred to as House 2, is the fourth Baker has proposed since assuming office and increases...more
The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) voted in late December to approve draft regulations establishing the framework for the recreational marijuana industry of Massachusetts. Less than one week later, U.S. Attorney General...more
Massachusetts policymakers continue to debate health care reform proposals with important implications for industry stakeholders. This month the Senate passed sweeping health care reform legislation, a special commission held...more
State-by-state legalization of the medical and recreational use of marijuana is creating a new industry in the U.S. that has the potential to rival our largest businesses. However, the growth of this new industry comes at a...more
On Tuesday, October 17, Massachusetts Senate leaders released comprehensive health care legislation containing a wide range of provisions significantly impacting industry stakeholders. The bill, titled “An Act Furthering...more
Massachusetts lawmakers have returned from summer recess and are preparing to tackle a robust legislative agenda this fall. Legislators will meet formally through the third Wednesday in November, at which point formal...more
9/15/2017
/ Clean Energy ,
Criminal Justice Reform ,
Department of Revenue ,
Governor Baker ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Healthcare Costs ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Renewable Energy ,
Sales Tax ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Wage and Hour
Massachusetts lawmakers have returned from summer recess and are preparing to tackle a robust legislative agenda this fall. Legislators will meet formally through the third Wednesday in November, at which point formal...more
On Monday, July 17th, Governor Charlie Baker signed a budget for FY2018 that includes $39.4 billion in spending. This comes ten days after the Legislature approved a state budget with a $40.2 billion bottom line. The Senate...more
Surpassing a self-imposed deadline of July 1st to have compromise legislation on Governor Baker’s desk, the Massachusetts House and Senate reached an accord and voted to approve a reconciled recreational marijuana bill on...more
On Tuesday June 20, the Baker Administration submitted to the legislature a package of insurance reforms and assessments for inclusion in the FY2018 budget. The proposal represents the most recent plan aimed at curbing rising...more
On June 21st, 2017, after considering 118 amendments, the House passed sweeping legislation (H.3768) by a vote of 126 to 28 refining the laws governing the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
The voters approved the adult...more