LAST WEEK
Thursday, the State Senate Committee on Ways and Means introduced a voting reform bill (Senate Bill 2545) which will be debated in the full Wednesday. As drafted, the legislation would make mail-in and expanded early voting permanent options for Massachusetts voters. It would also allow for same-day voter registration. Additionally, MassBio hosted its annual Patient Advocacy Summit on Friday.
In Federal news, Congress approved a measure on Thursday to fund the government through early December. President Biden signed the resolution the same day.
THIS WEEK
On Monday, the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a virtual public hearing on bills dealing with consumer privacy and technology, including House Bill 357, an act protecting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Commonwealth. The Senate Committee on Reimagining Massachusetts Post-Pandemic Resiliency plans to release its first round of findings on Tuesday.
In Congress, the debate continues on raising the debt ceiling. According to CNN, “Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen [is] warning lawmakers that the federal government will likely run out of cash by October 18 unless Congress raises the debt ceiling.” The debt ceiling refers to the limit on how much money the U.S. government can borrow to pay its bills.