Good Monday morning, everyone.
Political activity in Boston is set to rise significantly as the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) summit opens this morning at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in the city’s Seaport district.
Thousands of state lawmakers, legislative aides, and others involved in state governance have gathered for this annual summit, which officially commenced with an opening session today.
The NCSL serves as a hub for legislative best practices, providing insights into various issues such as transportation funding, renewable energy, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
NCSL’s in-house experts are available to share a wealth of knowledge with lawmakers and journalists alike.
This year’s event is particularly notable as it marks the NCSL’s 50th anniversary.
According to NCSL CEO Tim Storey, the summit is expected to be one of the largest to date, potentially rivaling past events in terms of attendance.
Local pols from Massachusetts are set to play key roles during the summit.
Among several prominent speakers, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is scheduled to address a session on Tuesday morning discussing “The Great Political Realignment: The New Trump Coalition and the Coming Elections,” alongside Rhode Island House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy.
Moderated by Amy Walter, the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, this panel will spotlight crucial political themes ahead of upcoming elections.
Senate President Karen E. Spilka is also slated to participate in multiple panels, including a closing event with “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr. on Wednesday titled “The Room Where it Happens.”
Other notable figures gracing the summit include former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, Olympic running legend Meb Keflezighi, and syndicated radio host Michael Smerconish.
Experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and various state lawmakers will also contribute to the seminars held throughout the week.
As Boston prepares to host this significant conference, it anticipates a positive impact on its tourism economy, which has recently struggled to recover.
Nonetheless, legislative leaders faced scrutiny regarding high-dollar fundraising efforts to finance the summit.
According to The Boston Globe, state lawmakers requested corporations and other entities with business interests in the Legislature to contribute as much as $250,000 each.
House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano stated he was unaware of the fundraising efforts, while Spilka emphasized that the funds are directed towards educational programs, training, and transportation.
Spilka noted that approximately 9,000 attendees are expected to visit Boston, generating an estimated $11.2 million in economic impact for the state.
So, should you encounter some policy-focused individuals wandering around Seaport, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill this week, now you’ll know the reason.
In another political endeavor, Massachusetts lawmakers recently announced the formation of the Friends of the UK Legislative Caucus on Beacon Hill, reinforcing ties between Massachusetts and the United Kingdom, even as they celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Battle for Independence.
Key legislators including State House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, R-20th Middlesex; Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-2nd Franklin; and Sen. Dylan Fernandes, D-Plymouth/Barnstable, are serving as co-chairs of this bipartisan group.
Each year, Massachusetts engages in $5 billion in trade with the UK, and British companies employ over 41,000 people within the state.
David Clay, British Consul General to New England, commented on the strong collaboration between academics and scientists from both regions in addressing pressing scientific challenges.
As trade policy continues to stir uncertainties under President Donald Trump’s administration, Jones highlighted the need for state-level leadership in fostering international partnerships.
On a lighter note, a collective acknowledgment of historical ties humorously echoed the sentiments expressed in the musical “Hamilton” as attendees rallied around the phrase, “You’ll be back, soon, you’ll see.”
In transportation news, Waltham-based Global Partners, which recently lost a contract to renovate and operate Massachusetts highway service plazas, organized a demonstration at the State House.
With claims that their proposal was more financially beneficial for the state, representatives protested to Governor Maura Healey for reconsideration and to urge legislative oversight in the decision-making process.
Global Partners contends that a specific state Department of Transportation official involved in the selection process had potential employment conversations with Applegreen, the chosen bidder.
Both the state and Applegreen have emphasized that finances were only one component of the contract awards, pointing to factors like project timelines and sustainability focuses, including electric vehicle advancements.
In federal politics, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and a coalition of lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) attempts to roll back flood protection standards.
In a letter addressed to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, they stressed the urgency of maintaining strong floodplain standards amidst increasing disaster occurrences linked to climate change.
These flooding incidents have underscored the necessity for resilient infrastructure to minimize damage to families and homes.
The group of senators includes Cory Booker of New Jersey, Chris Van Hollen from Maryland, Patty Murray of Washington, Peter Welch from Vermont, as well as Independent Senators Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who both align with the Democratic caucus.
In response to disastrous flooding in Texas, HUD has slightly paused its rollback initiatives, satisfying environmental advocates concerned about safety and preparedness.
In Monday’s key statistics, a new report from the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst underscored the critical importance of research funding to Massachusetts’s economy.
The data indicates that for every dollar invested in research, the state yields approximately double that amount in economic returns.
Currently, research funding supports an impressive 81,300 jobs, contributing $7.8 billion in income and generating over $16 billion in economic activity as highlighted in the report entitled “Economic Contributions of R&D Funding in Massachusetts.”
Researchers expressed concern, however, that potential changes to federal funding could jeopardize the economic outlook of the Commonwealth.
Among the report’s findings, Massachusetts accounts for one in ten R&D jobs nationally, significantly outperforming the one in forty ratio for all jobs in the country.
Over 700 organizations in Massachusetts have received R&D awards, with the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Air Force, and the National Science Foundation being the top three recipients of funding, supporting approximately 46,000 jobs across those institutions.
The report also indicated that R&D funding creates more employment opportunities beyond direct research jobs, resulting in 34,600 additional blue-collar and service roles in supporting industry sectors such as construction, food services, healthcare, and retail.
Interestingly, two out of every five jobs spawned by research funding are created in sectors outside those that directly receive the funding.
For instance, the economic activity driven by research supports 4,200 jobs in real estate and construction, nearly 3,000 in retail, and around 1,600 positions in transportation and warehousing.
Mark Melnik, the director of the Donahue Institute’s Economic and Public Policy Research Group, emphasized the role of federal funding in keeping the U.S. competitive in innovation and sustaining the state’s knowledge economy.
He reiterated that Massachusetts’s highly educated workforce and leading educational institutions continue to attract funding and entrepreneurship, making these investments vital to the broader economy.
In community remarks, Stacey Verge, executive director of Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton, shared insights on evolving food pantry missions aimed to provide healthier food options amidst rising food insecurity across the state.
Many food pantries, while still offering staple items like canned goods and pasta, are increasingly focused on delivering nutritious foods to those in need.
Among upcoming events, visitors in the Berkshires can enjoy the Stockbridge Summer Arts and Crafts Show on August 16 and 17 at 50 Main Street.
Entering its 32nd year, the free show will showcase 80 jury-selected artisans and crafters across various artistic mediums, attracting thousands in the picturesque setting of Stockbridge.
Operating hours for the event are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fans of classic music will not want to miss punk and new wave icon Billy Idol, whose latest tour visits the XFinity Center on August 23.
Despite making a name for himself in the ’80s, Idol, born William Broad, continues to produce new music, including the notable 2021 single “Bitter Taste.”
For those feeling nostalgic, a lengthy exploration of the unique American institution of drive-in movies can be found via History Facts, chronicling its rise and decline as summer favorites.
The historical piece reflects on how drive-ins allowed families to indulge in leisure without the need for formal attire and provided a unique environment for enjoying snacks and entertainment.
As always, tips, comments, and questions can be directed to [email protected].
Here’s wishing everyone a great week ahead!
image source from：masslive
