"Massachusetts residents don’t need to read a 50-state analysis to feel that our Legislature is failing to deliver. They feel it when they open their utility bills. They feel it when they struggle to find affordable housing." New op-ed from ED @scotia-h.bsky.social on state house inaction. #mapoli

Omnibus bills enable opaque lawmaking

The modern trend of relying on omnibus bills for routine legislative work is not a neutral choice. It turns a simple democratic process into a labyrinthine ordeal.

commonwealthbeacon.org

I got to hang out with some of my favorite people and make a video about No on Question 3, No to Jungle Primaries, no to the California system in #mapoli

Act on Mass is hitting the doors for our endorsed candidates this weekend! Join us in Roslindale on Saturday and Waltham on Sunday to support @persisyu.bsky.social and @environista.bsky.social. Featuring "State House 101" trainings prior to each canvass! Sign up at actonmass.org/events #mapoli

In two hours! #mapoli

Progressive Mass@progressivemass.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Join us and allies from across issue areas tomorrow (Thursday) at 1 pm as we evaluate the action and lack thereof from the current legislative session! Location: State House steps Downpour back-up: 3rd floor RSVP: bit.ly/malegreport

“That the Legislature can try everything to fight a ballot question, and then... pass legislation that would essentially nullify the impact of the ballot question—it absolutely sets an alarming precedent about our right as citizens to make laws by initiative petition." —AOM's @scotia-h.bsky.social

On second thought: Late-moving legislative action injects 'ambiguity' into ballot questions

Legislative leaders opted not to engage in serious negotiations with initiative petition proponents earlier in the year, when a compromise might have averted measures going to the ballot. And now, the...

commonwealthbeacon.org

Come sing karaoke with state auditor Diana DiZoglio and help fund transparency advocacy! Get your tickets now! secure.everyaction.com/AfZU9OZGREKi...

Despite transparency reforms, state lawmakers are using a loophole to avoid taking public votes. Read Boston Globe's reporting, with comments from Act on Mass. #mapoli

‘The bloodless murder of legislation.’ After promising more transparency, Mass. Legislature still killing bills without votes. - The Boston Globe

Massachusetts state lawmakers can, and still do, effectively kill legislation without their members ever taking a public stance.

bostonglobe.com

Until last week, nobody knew that Massachusetts lawmakers were considering a social media ban for youth. House reps passed the nation's "most restrictive" ban with less than 48 hrs notice and no public process, dismissing major privacy concerns. #mapoli How did this happen? Read our newsletter:

04/11/2026 Saturday Scoop: House passes alarming social media bill with no public process | Act On Mass

Act on Mass is a non-profit organization that tracks what happens in the Massachusetts State House and the issues that matter to you.

actonmass.org

Despite alarming privacy implications, the social media ban passed the House today with only two Democrats opposed. Reps spent most of the day in private caucuses, deciding the fate of amendments. Public debate was extremely limited. Bad process to pass a bad bill. #mapoli

@act-on-mass.bsky.social · 7mo ago

MA House leadership is trying to ram through a sweeping social media bill with less than 48 hours notice. Released yesterday, H.5349 would ban social media use for children under 14 and require parental consent for ages 14 and 15. This raises immense privacy concerns. #mapoli

MA House leadership is trying to ram through a sweeping social media bill with less than 48 hours notice. Released yesterday, H.5349 would ban social media use for children under 14 and require parental consent for ages 14 and 15. This raises immense privacy concerns. #mapoli

Happy Trans Day of Visibility! 🏳️‍⚧️ Great thread from @erinryanhey.bsky.social about how our Democratic supermajority state house can and should be protecting trans youth. #mapoli

Erin Ryan Hey ♿️@erinryanhey.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Trans Day of Visibility 🏳️‍⚧️🥰. A good day to remember (or learn!) that Massachusetts public schools still have no standardized sexual education curriculum. The Healthy Youth Act would require schools teach sex ed that is: age appropriate, medically accurate, consent-based, and LGBTQ+ inclusive.

MA is officially a national leader in hiding information from the public. This Sunshine Week, the Society of Professional Journalists granted MA its "Black Hole Award" for open records laws that it says "stymie the public’s ability to access what should be freely available information." #mapoli ☀️

When the MA House voted to pass a controversial energy bill that would cut $1 billion from MassSave, Beacon Hill's "old boys club" dominated the conversation. #MAPoli

Wondering about the holdup with the audit? So are we. Join Act on Mass and retired attorney and good government activist Jeanne Kempthorne for a comprehensive overview of why this critical transparency measure is nowhere to be found. Sign up at the link below: secure.everyaction.com/b1KPgUSfEkey...

The MA House just approved a devastating $1 billion cut to MassSave, with less than 72 hours notice and no public hearing. 17 state reps bucked the oppressive state house leadership to stand up for energy efficiency and climate progress. Was your rep one of them? #mapoli

The State House and Governor Healey have stalled real immigration action for years. The result is real consequences for our communities. Tell your legislators that enough is enough: we need action against ICE to protect our neighbors ⬇️ secure.everyaction.com/ttr9Vfcktka9...

"A well-supported and effective press is our bulwark against authoritarianism in our democracy, whether it’s coming out of Washington or Beacon Hill." ☀️ Read our latest newsletter on recent changes in the world of #MApoli journalism and how it relates to our fight for a transparent state house.

02/21/2026 Saturday Scoop: For transparency and accountability in MA, support local news! | Act On Mass

Act on Mass is a non-profit organization that tracks what happens in the Massachusetts State House and the issues that matter to you.

actonmass.org

Gov. Healey has filed her $62 billion budget proposal, kicking off a process that will eat up a lot of time, energy, and lobbyist $$$$ on Beacon Hill for the next few months. Read our latest Saturday Scoop for a review of the budget process "in all its un-transparent glory." #MApoli

02/14/2026 Saturday Scoop: For the love of money, a V-Day budget review | Act On Mass

Act on Mass is a non-profit organization that tracks what happens in the Massachusetts State House and the issues that matter to you.

actonmass.org

ICE is terrorizing our communities, and state leadership's complacency is enabling it. Take action to protect your neighbors ⬇️

🚨ICE is a danger to our communities. What can our state leaders do about it? Read our latest Saturday Scoop on: - How our safety in MA is connected with the horrific violence in MN - Actions the legislature must take to protect us, including banning state officials from aiding ICE #mapoli

01/10/2026 Saturday Scoop: ICE is a danger to our communities. What can our state leaders do about it? | Act On Mass

Act on Mass is a non-profit organization that tracks what happens in the Massachusetts State House and the issues that matter to you.

actonmass.org

This is wrong, but shows how broken our campaign finance laws are. Senate Pres. Spilka uses campaign funds to lease, repair, & pay insurance on her Audi (~$13,700 last year). Leadership drops thousands on steak dinners. Apparently, Rep. Tyler's error was failing to come up with an excuse. #mapoli

State Rep. Chynah Tyler to pay $6K after spending campaign funds on personal uses, including takeout, salon visit

Campaign finance regulators faulted Democratic state Rep. Chynah Tyler for spending about $5,664 in campaign funds for her personal use.

boston.com

After years of organizing by Act on Mass and our allies, leaders on Beacon Hill finally agreed on new joint rules this year, incorporating major transparency changes. To actually follow through on boosting public trust, transparency, and accountability, these rules must now be followed.

Beacon Hill’s new rules are good. They should follow them.   - CommonWealth Beacon

Everyday people--and not just advocates deep in the trenches--are seeing that things need to change.

commonwealthbeacon.org

Beacon Hill is continually violating its own joint rules by failing to deliver on transparency promises. Naturally, we made a tracker with @progressivemass.bsky.social to call them out on it. You can check it out here: beaconhilltracker.org

Read our latest Saturday Scoop on: - the potential record-breaking number of ballot questions for 2026 & what it says about our legislature - Speaker Mariano reveals he thinks the electorate hasn't changed since 1994 - Gov. Healey joins a bipartisan pact to push for climate deregulation #mapoli

12/06/2025 Saturday Scoop: Speaker Mariano confirms state leaders govern like it’s 1994 | Act On Mass

Act on Mass is a non-profit organization that tracks what happens in the Massachusetts State House and the issues that matter to you.

actonmass.org

I know asking for donations on here is a mixed bag, but I want to heavily suggest donating to one of my favorite organizations, Act on Mass which has been critical in raising the questions around how the Massachusetts authoritarian rule harms regular people. Please consider giving #mapoli

It’s #GivingTuesday, and at Act on Mass we’re kicking off our end-of-year fundraising push! In order to keep pushing for transparency victories in the State House, we need the help of people like you to meet our fundraising goal + sustain our grassroots movement. Donate here! ⬇️ bit.ly/ActonMassgive

Just Launched: A new tool from us and @act-on-mass.bsky.social that tracks whether or not Beacon Hill's committees are actually following the new pro-transparency reforms adopted this summer beaconhilltracker.org

Read our latest newsletter on the climate rollback bill being pushed by state house leaders and their friends in the fossil fuel industry. We cover: - Background on the House's energy committee and Beacon Hill's "Old Boys Club" - Breaking down the committee's 7-0 vote - Why we need reform #mapoli

11/15/2025 Saturday Scoop: Reps vote to roll back MA's climate laws in classic tale of Beacon Hill corruption | Act On Mass

Act on Mass is a non-profit organization that tracks what happens in the Massachusetts State House and the issues that matter to you.

actonmass.org

The votes are in, and MA lawmakers have voted to roll back the state's climate goals. ⬇️

State leaders are trying to push through a major setback in our state’s climate laws, as reps were off work for the federal holiday. The Joint Committee on TUE will vote on this bill today. Make sure your rep hears from you: protect our climate law! Vote NO on climate backsliding.