State House News Service

Massachusetts State Senator Says He Was Wrong To Support Legal Sports Gambling

If Sen. John Keenan could go back in time, he would take back his vote to legalize sports betting in the state. 

Social Pot Consumption Vote Could Come By Christmas For Massachusetts

The Cannabis Control Commission could vote by Christmas on regulations governing social consumption sites.

Ed Markey Holds Sizeable Early Lead Over Seth In Massachusetts U.S. Senate Race

Sen. Edward Markey holds a 19-point lead over U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in the race for the seat Markey holds, but the polling numbers tighten up with U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley in the race.

Massachusetts Board Eyes Early 2026 Vote On Three-Year Bachelor's Degree

The Board of Higher Education is on track to vote in early 2026 on whether to allow public and private colleges and universities in Massachusetts to offer three-year bachelor's degrees, reducing the typical 120-credit requirement. 

Massachusetts House Pushing Phonics To Target ‘Troubling Trends’ With Reading In Early Grades

The House will vote Wednesday on a sweeping early literacy reform bill, aiming to reverse what leaders are calling "troubling trends" in student reading rates.

Winter Special Election Scheduled To Fill Lowell-Based Senate Seat

Voters in Lowell and a few surrounding towns will head to the polls in the winter of 2026 to elect a new senator. 

As Other States Slash Taxes, Massachusetts Risks Falling Further Behind

A new report shows 28 states have cut income taxes since 2021, while Massachusetts faces mounting pressure to reduce rates and improve competitiveness amid sluggish job growth and high costs.

MBTA’s Phil Eng Widens Transportation Footprint As Monica Tibbits-Nutt Resigns

Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt resigned Thursday and Gov. Maura Healey's administration tapped MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to serve as interim transportation secretary while he also runs the sprawling transit agency.

Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio To State AG Andrea Campbell: 'Sue Me'

Nearly a year after voters approved a ballot measure to explicitly allow the state auditor to audit the Legislature, Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Wednesday publicly challenged Attorney General Andrea Campbell to “sue me” if Campbell still needs more information to enforce the law.

Congressman Seth Moulton Will Challenge Ed Markey For U.S. Senate Seat

Congressman Seth Moulton of Salem announced Wednesday morning that he will run for U.S. Senate next year, arguing that Massachusetts cannot wait another six years to install someone from a younger generation in the Senate.

Healey Picks Romantic Partner’s Colleague For Massachusetts State Judgeship

Gov. Maura Healey announced four new judicial nominees Wednesday, including tapping the chief lawyer from the organization run by First Lady Joanna Lydgate to be a Superior Court judge.

Poll Suggests Ed Markey Is Vulnerable, Maura Healey Has Modest Lead, and Most Massachusetts Voters Want Lower Taxes

A new statewide poll of likely Massachusetts voters shows Congressman Seth Moulton could claim an early advantage over U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in a hypothetical 2026 U.S. Senate Democratic primary, while a solid majority of voters voiced support for cutting the state income tax rate to 4%.

State Officials Call MCAS Results ‘Sobering’ After Loss of Graduation Requirement

Massachusetts officials released the latest MCAS scores, calling the results ‘sobering’ as student performance remains below pre-pandemic levels. Education leaders pointed to the end of the MCAS graduation requirement and ongoing pandemic recovery as key factors.

Families Urge Massachusetts To Teach About September 11th Terror Attacks In Public Schools

On 9/11’s 24th anniversary, families urge Massachusetts to require schools to teach about the attacks as leaders back new classroom resources.

Tax Cuts, Rent Control, and Public Records Proposal Make Next Step of Massachusetts Balot Question Process

Proposals to slash the state income tax, reverse a decades-old ban on rent control, and force the Legislature and governor to open their records took another step toward the 2026 ballot Wednesday.

No-Cost Telephone Calls For Prison Inmates Contribute To Big Increase In Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Budgets

Spending by county sheriffs, who run the state's jails and houses of correction, exploded far beyond their allocations in last year's state budget and Gov. Maura Healey has stepped in and asked the Legislature to bail them out with an additional $163 million.

Sheriff Steven Tompkins Steps Aside Amid Federal Charges; Deputy Quietly Installed As Interim Suffolk Sheriff

The deputy poised to oversee Suffolk County corrections while Sheriff Steven Tompkins fights federal extortion charges has worked for the department for two years, but was only moved into position to assume leadership of it last week.

Massachusetts Rent Control Measure Triggers Ballot Eligibility Debate