LAST WEEK
The U.S. Senate did not pass voting rights and election reform on Wednesday. Moderate Democrats Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined the Republican caucus in a 52-48 vote to end debate on the legislation, citing concerns with changes to Senate procedures, including the filibuster. The voting rights and election reform bills have already passed the U.S. House of Representatives
Claire Cronin (D-Brockton) was sworn-in as U.S. ambassador to Ireland on Wednesday in the House Chamber. Cronin’s appointment marks the end of her nine-year career in the House of Representatives, where she was the first woman to serve as House Majority Leader and House Chair of the Judiciary Committee.
On Thursday, Lydia Edwards was sworn-in to the Massachusetts Senate to represent the First Suffolk and Middlesex District.
Maura Healey announced her candidacy for Governor. Healey, a Democrat from Charlestown, has served as Massachusetts’ Attorney General since 2015.
Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin (D) announced that he would seek an 8th term. Should he be re-elected in November, Galvin would become the longest-serving Secretary of State in the Commonwealth’s history. Democrat Tanisha Sullivan, President of Boston NAACP, launched her campaign for Secretary of State last Tuesday.
81% of Boston residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from January 18.
THIS WEEK
This week, the Senate will debate the House-passed $55 million funding package to support municipalities and school systems’ efforts to address COVID-19 through testing, youth vaccines, and PPE.
The Baker Administration will release their fiscal year 2023 budget proposal this week, kicking off the state’s budget process. The fiscal year begins on July 1.
Governor Charlie Baker will deliver his annual State of the State address on Tuesday at 7PM at Hynes Convention Center. In Washington, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are in a week-long recess.