During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, City of Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove Kassandra Gove thanks administration for its proposed key investments in Ch. 70 education aid for FY26, including $75/student in minimum new aid, which affects 77% of state’s school districts. #LGAC #mapoli

>Mayor Kassandra Gove Gove says she hopes the final FY26 budget will raise minimum aid to $104/student, to match the amount in FY25. She says the $104 this year was “critical to supporting the growing needs of our school budget.” #LGAC #mapoli

During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, A & F Chief of Staff Danielle Cerny discusses administration’s refiled Municipal Empowerment Act, a multifaceted package of reforms & local options aimed at improving efficiency & effectiveness of local government operations. #LGAC #mapoli

“We listened, and I think we delivered a bill that will really help you deliver for all of our residents,” said A & F Chief of Staff Danielle Cerny about Municipal Empowerment Act that admin filed last month.

During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, Town of Franklin, MA Jamie Hellen thanks administration for re-filing Municipal Empowerment Act, an important package of reforms that would boost #localgov efficiency & provide local options. #LGAC #mapoli

>Town of Franklin, MA Jamie Hellen says inclusion of local options to raise local revenues could make a big difference in communities. “These options give cities & towns another way to help support the funding of essential services. … It could be a game changer for my community.”

Town of Franklin, MA >Town of Franklin, MA Jamie Hellen says, We are incredibly grateful for the re-introduction of the Municipal Empowerment Act, and are hopeful that with your help we can push this bill over the finish line.

During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, Town of Stow, MA Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski thanks the administration for partnership w/ #localgov on Municipal Empowerment Act, including proposal to codify remote options for public meetings. #LGAC #mapoli

>Town of Stow, MA Town Admin Dembkoski says admin’s remote meetings proposal, included in the Muni Empowerment Act, meets what local governments and their residents need, and is simply making permanent what is already authorized, but is set to expire March 31.

Town of Stow, MA “This has been enormously successful over the past 5 years, and its success is in its local flexibility,” says Town of Stow, MA Town Admin Dembkoski about proposal to codify remote public meetings.

During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, Town of Acton, MA Town Manager John Mangiaratti thanks administration for key provisions in Muni Empowerment, incl. updating procurement processes & municipal purchasing thresholds to streamline & simplify the process, & cracking down on double poles

“These small changes add up to make a big difference for cities & towns,” says Town of Acton, MA Town Manager John Mangiaratti of Municipal Empowerment Act, during Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg.

During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, #Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson thanks the administration for filing a 5-year Chapter 90 bond bill ($300M/yr). Every municipality relies on Ch 90 funds to help keep local roads in a state of good repair. #LGAC #mapoli

“Municipalities have a considerable responsibility when it comes to maintaining our roads, bridges & culverts,” says #Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson during LGAC mtg. “Each of us relies heavily on the Ch 90 program. … Each & every city & town is being uplifted by this proposal.”

During Local Gov Advisory Commsn mtg, #Northfield Town Administrator Andrea Llamas thanks administration for addl Ch 90 funding targeted to rural communities, which have limited ability to generate municipal revenue.

The MMA is welcoming spring with Legislative Breakfast Meetings! #localgov officials & state legislators will connect on March 7 & 14 in Dalton, Marlborough, City of Amesbury & Fall River. Details & registration: ow.ly/h3sN50UY3CO .

🏡New Report: A real estate transfer fee on high-end transactions can raise significant revenue at the local level, allow communities to address local affordable housing needs, and be a tool for economic and racial equity. #mapoli buff.ly/4hWpRnR

>Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis, David P. Linsky, Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Rep. Kate Donaghue & SenRobynKennedy field questions from local officials during a spring MMA Legislative Breakfast held in Marlborough.

Rep. Leigh Davis, Rep. John Barrett III & Sen. Paul Mark field questions from local officials during a spring MMA Legislative Breakfast held this morning in Dalton.

I just signed a bill delivering a historic $300M in Chapter 90 funding, PLUS another $900M for roads and bridges across Massachusetts. Filling potholes, fixing traffic signals, replacing bridges — real improvements that make it quicker and easier to get where you need to go.