Government & Politics

🔒Modest optimism: In WBJ’s annual survey, business leaders largely are feeling good about 2024

Compared to WBJ’s year-end Economic Forecast survey published in December, Central Massachusetts business leaders aren’t quite as optimistic as they were six months ago.

🔒Developing equity: New $50M fund seeks to address housing crisis and lack of diversity

MassHousing and the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp have teamed up to launch what they say is the largest publicly led financing program of its kind in the country.

Mass. unemployment rate increases for first time in three months

The Massachusetts unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage point to 3.0% in May but still remained a full percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.0%.

Cannabis commission’s acting chair pushes back against inspector general’s receivership request in agency’s latest fracas

The letter argues the commission remains functioning.

Worcester County state senator uses parliamentary technique to delay climate bill debate

Shortly after Fattman made his late-afternoon motion, the Senate adjourned its formal session with plans to meet again Friday at 1 p.m.

QCC receives $171K in state funding to boost healthcare training programs

Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester will now be able to upgrade to industry-standard lab equipment for its nursing assistant (CNA) certificate program and surgical technology associate degree program, as the institution has received $171,016 through the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program.

Energy undersecretary tells Central Mass. energy sector that permitting reform is key to meeting ambitious climate goals

Massachusetts is approaching the most challenging period of its decades-long mission to reach net zero emissions by 2050, with decarbonizing the energy sector being a critical part of reaching the state’s next benchmark in 2030, according to one state official.

Inspector general: Cannabis Control Commission is rudderless, legislators need to appoint receiver to govern agency

After months of controversy surrounding the state’s Cannabis Control Commission, Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro is calling for the state legislature to appoint a receiver to manage the day-to-day operations of the agency.

Worcester dentist indicted for alleged $2M MassHealth fraud scheme

Worcester-based Pleasant Street Dental and its owner were indicted in June for their involvement in an alleged MassHealth scheme to defraud the state Medicaid insurance program for more than $2 million.