Massachusetts

Massachusetts Legislature Passes $56.2 Billion State Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

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BOSTON – The Massachusetts 2023-2024 Legislature has approved and Governor Maura Healey has signed into law 108 bills out of the more than 6,400 bills filed for consideration. Of these, 16 bills have statewide implications, while the remaining 92 bills are local measures such as sick leave banks specific to individual cities or towns. Among the statewide-related bills signed into law is the $56.2 billion fiscal 2024 state budget, which includes provisions for universal free school meals, support for free community colleges, and funding for clean energy infrastructure in public schools. The budget also includes … Read more

Massachusetts Elected Officials Defend Appeals Court Judge from Unfair Criticism Over Former Romantic Relationship

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Boston, MA – Two Massachusetts officials responsible for confirming judges have criticized attempts to link the suitability of Appeals Court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian for a vacancy on the state’s highest court to her past relationship with Governor Maura Healey. The Governor’s Council, which regularly approves judicial recommendations, is now tasked with reviewing Wolohojian’s qualifications for an open seat on the Supreme Judicial Court. Councilor Eileen Duff, who believes Wolohojian is highly qualified, expressed her frustration with the focus on the past romance instead of the judge’s professional background. Wolohojian, an Appeals Court judge for 16 … Read more

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Maria Stephanos Joins Prestigious Judging Panel for Massachusetts ProStart Invitational 2024

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Walpole, Massachusetts – Maria Stephanos, a well-known journalist and news anchor from Boston, will be making a special appearance as a guest judge at the 2024 Massachusetts ProStart Invitational on February 27th. The ProStart Invitational is an annual competition that brings together high school culinary and hospitality students to showcase their skills and passion for the industry. Stephanos, who has been a prominent figure in Boston’s news scene for many years, will be lending her expertise and knowledge to the participants as they compete in various culinary challenges. As a guest judge, she will have … Read more

Massachusetts Senators Take Stand for Equality, Voting to Strike Down Outdated Laws Criminalizing Love and Sexuality

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Boston, Massachusetts – The Massachusetts state senate has made a significant step towards modernizing its legal system by passing a bill aimed at striking down outdated laws from its statute books. Although the US Supreme Court ruled anti-sodomy laws as unconstitutional in 2003 and Massachusetts has recognized same-sex marriage since 2004, certain sections of state law still contain discriminatory restrictions on consensual sexual interactions among adults, according to state lawmakers. These archaic laws not only criminalize sodomy and “unnatural acts,” but also include penalties for using religious terms such as the “Holy Name of God” … Read more