Beacon Hill News

Podcast Part 2: Auditor DiZoglio Next Supports Stipend, Public Records Reform

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In her continuing quest to make Massachusetts government more transparent and accountable, state Auditor Diana DiZoglio is asking voters to support her petition to expand the state’s public records law to include the governor’s office and state Legislature. DiZoglio, a Methuen Democrat, has been locked in a three-year battle with legislative leaders and state Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell over her initiative to do an administrative audit of the legislature. She outlined her new strategy and logic during a wide-ranging interview last Thursday on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. She reminded listeners that doing such an audit was her priority when she campaigned for auditor in 2021. When legislative leaders balked, she turned to the electorate and launched a petition campaign to put an audit of the Legislature on the ballot for the state’s 2024 General Election.

Beacon Hill News

Auditor DiZoglio to Approach Judge in Effort to Force Movement on Voter-Approved Legislative Audit

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Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is looking for her office’s day in court in an effort to advance an audit of the Legislature as supported by nearly three out of four voters. DiZoglio, a Democrat from Methuen, outlined her logic during a wide-ranging interview Thursday on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. She said she is more certain than ever of the need for an independent review of the state Legislature’s contracts and other spending after more than three years of pushback from state Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and legislative leaders. Noting the lack of movement from Campbell, DiZoglio told listeners she is preparing to challenge the Legislature in court by hiring her own attorney paid with donations. “We are going to be approaching a single justice to ask for permission essentially from the courts to be able to sue because normally our office is required by law to go through the attorney general’s office.

Beacon Hill News

ICE Protesters Get Quick Response from Corner Office

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Union Official Warns ‘It Can Get Worse Very Quickly’
By Ella Adams

In 17-degree weather Thursday morning protesters exited the State House, chanting and calling for lawmakers and Gov. Maura Healey to take “concrete and immediate action” to protect immigrants from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They got a quick answer Thursday afternoon with Healey filing legislation and signing an executive order. Her bill seeks to “keep ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals and churches,” ban another state from deploying their National Guard into Massachusetts without the governor’s permission, and allow parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case they are deported. The executive order limits new 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE, and bans the use of state property as an immigration enforcement operations base. What began as an event inside the State House flooded out to the General Hooker entrance and then to the front steps of the building after a smoke alarm went off and caused an evacuation just before 11 a.m.

“Today Minnesota, tomorrow Massachusetts.

Beacon Hill News

Rep. Vargas Reports ‘Robust’ Talks on Immigration Bill That Would Limit Helping Feds

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Black and Latino Caucus Sees State Role In ‘Maintaining Trust In Our Communities’
By Katie Castellani

As federal immigration enforcement activities disrupt cities and towns across the nation, members of the Legislature’s Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, led by Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas, unveiled legislation aimed at boosting protections for immigrant communities in Massachusetts. The caucus announced it filed a bill known as the “PROTECT Act”—an Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment. It is sponsored by Reps. Vargas of Haverhill and Judith Garcia of Chelsea and offers safeguards for court proceedings, aims to ensure consistent due process and empowers the state attorney general with enforcement authority. The legislation is the culmination of almost a year of work by the caucus, including its Immigration Task Force established in August 2025, as well as engaging with stakeholders and immigrant families, Vargas said.

Beacon Hill News

Healey, Trahan Urge Noem to Resign Over ‘Lies,’ Moulton Calls ICE Killing ‘Gestapo-Type Stuff’

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By Sam Drysdale and WHAV Staff

Gov. Maura Healey demanded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resign on Monday, following outrage that erupted around the nation this weekend after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was killed Saturday during an encounter with federal immigration agents amid a surge of Immigration Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol activity in Minnesota. He was the second U.S. citizen fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis this month; Renee Nicole Good was killed earlier during a separate encounter. Despite rhetoric by Noem and White House adviser Stephen Miller, Massachusetts officials said video footage shows Pretti holding a cellphone, not a gun, in his hand. They also said Pretti had already been disarmed and was laying on the ground when he was shot.

Beacon Hill News

Healey Leans into Affordability Issues, Trump in Annual Address

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On Traffic, Guv Says ‘We’re All Sick Of It,’ Pledges Accelerated Improvements
By Sam Drysdale

Gov. Maura Healey used her State of the Commonwealth address Thursday night to roll out a slate of policy initiatives aimed at affordability, while also sharpening a campaign-year message that casts Massachusetts as a bulwark against President Donald Trump. In a 50-minute speech to a statewide audience, Healey blended announcements on health care, housing, education, energy and social media with pointed political rhetoric as she prepares for a 2026 reelection bid. Repeatedly invoking Massachusetts history and identity, the governor framed her agenda as a continuation of what she described as the state’s tradition of leadership and resistance during moments of national upheaval. “In this moment, part of my job as governor is to help us provide what the federal government hasn’t: stability, security – and how about a little common sense?” Healey said. Much of the address focused on the rising cost of living here and Healey’s recent efforts to position herself as a champion of pocketbook relief at a time when voters across the country remain frustrated by high prices and economic uncertainty.

Beacon Hill News

State of the Commonwealth: Healey Plans To Cut Winter Electric, Natural Gas Bills

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By Sam Drysdale

Gov. Maura Healey plans to announce tonight the state will spend $180 million as part of a bid to temporarily reduce residential electric and gas bills this winter. Under the plan, electric bills would be reduced by 25% and natural gas bills by 10% for “every Massachusetts residential utility customer” in February and March 2026, with the state covering the cost of some of the reductions. The proposal, unveiled by the governor’s office early today ahead of Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address, comes as energy affordability has become a central policy and political issue on Beacon Hill and is shaping early debate around the 2026 gubernatorial race. “I called on the utilities to lower bills this winter, and now relief is on the way,” Healey said in remarks released by her office. Some of the relief is truly temporary, and it only applies to residential customers of National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, Liberty Gas and Berkshire Gas.

Beacon Hill News

Finegold Says Two Bills Advance that Would Provide Local Property Tax Relief for Eligible Seniors

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Sen. Barry R. Finegold said Friday seniors looking for property tax relief could benefit from two bills passed the state Senate last Thursday. If the bills go on to become law, they would give cities and towns the ability to more easily lower property taxes paid by seniors. This includes giving communities the option of allowing a tax exemption for those above age 65 and reducing the number of years to become eligible for tax deferral. “Senior citizens will always be valued members of our communities and these measures will provide important financial relief,” Finegold said in a statement. The release added, “Together, these measures represent an important step toward ensuring that Massachusetts seniors can age in place with financial security.”

One bill would allow cities and towns to set exemption amounts to provide relief to long-term residents age 65 or older who meet occupancy, residency and financial criteria.