Press Releases
LEGISLATURE EXTENDS HYBRID PUBLIC MEETING LAW TO 2027, EXPANDING ACCESS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(Boston—3/20/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation to extend the hybrid public meeting option, allowing cities and towns to offer remote participation through June 2027. The extension applies to public bodies and representative town meetings.
STATE SENATOR PAUL R. FEENEY APPOINTED ASSISTANT VICE- CHAIR, SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, RE-APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES
(Boston– (2/26/2025) Senator Paul R. Feeney has been appointed Assistant Vice-Chair of the influential Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services for the 194th Legislative Session by Senate President Karen E. Spilka. Feeney’s appointments, in addition to his other committee membership assignments, were ratified by Senate Democrats in a Caucus held on Wednesday.
SENATOR FEENEY VOTES TO PASS RULES PROPOSALS BROADENING PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEGISLATURE’S WORK, DECISION MAKING
Boston (2/19/2025)— On Thursday Senator Feeney voted to approve rules for the 194th General Court that would increase transparency, public accessibility and the availability of legislative materials in “plain English” for ease of access.
SENATOR FEENEY CHAMPIONS LEGISLATION PROTECTING CONSUMERS USING PAYMENT APPS LIKE VENMO AND PAYPAL, SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR HEALEY
Boston (1/2/2025)—Today, Governor Maura Healey signed An Act relative to the regulation of money transmission by the Division of Banks (H4840), which puts consumer protections in place for Massachusetts residents who use payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp -- while also leveling the regulatory playing field for businesses in the banking and finance industry. Senator Feeney was proud to champion this legislation through its passage in the Senate.
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE PASSES WAGE EQUITY LEGISLATION
(Boston—7/24/2024) Today the Massachusetts Legislature took a strong step towards closing the gender and racial wage gap in the Commonwealth by passing An Act relative to salary range transparency. The legislation requires employers with 25 or more employees to disclose a salary range when posting a position and protects an employee’s right to ask their employer for the salary range for their position when applying for a job or seeking a promotion.
SENATOR FEENEY VOTES TO INJECT $5.4B INTO HOUSING, PUT HOMEOWNERSHIP AND AFFORDABLE UNITS IN REACH FOR BRISTOL AND NORFOLK RESIDENTS
Boston (7/3/2024)— The Massachusetts Senate took action on Thursday to address the state’s housing crisis. S.2834, An Act relative to affordable homes—also known as the Affordable Homes Act—authorizes $5.4 billion in borrowing and makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development, and promoting affordable housing.
ETHEL GARVIN OF ATTLEBORO NAMED 2024 COMMONWEALTH HEROINE, NOMINATED BY SENATOR PAUL R. FEENEY
(Boston—6/14/24) Today, at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women celebrated the 2024 class of Commonwealth Heroines, a title reserved for women across the Commonwealth who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities.