| From | MassDems <[email protected]> |
| Subject | August Wins from Team Healey-Driscoll |
| Date | August 29, 2025 3:24 PM |
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Dear Friend,
August was a powerhouse month for Team Healey-Driscoll, delivering bold progress on housing, education, economic opportunity, and protecting patients' rights across the Commonwealth. From securing millions to expand preschool and career training, to advancing the West-East Rail project and strengthening legal safeguards for reproductive care, the Administration is getting results that matter. Here’s a look at just some of the impactful wins that are making life better for people across Massachusetts.
* On August 26, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Division of Insurance announced that five of the state’s health insurance carriers will return $75.6 million to over 350,000 people covered by individual and small employer plans in Massachusetts under the state’s enforcement of the Massachusetts health laws.
* On August 25, Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated $3.5 million secured by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to continue advancing West-East Rail. This federal funding was awarded to the Rail and Transit Division, through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID). It will be used to support the Boston-Albany Corridor Service Development Plan (SDP), which is an essential step in expanding and enhancing train service connecting Boston and Albany, New York, through Springfield.
* On August 25, Governor Maura Healey and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus announced $15 million in Housing Development Inceptive Program (HDIP) awards to create 829 new homes in six Gateway Cities, which kicked off the program’s first funding round of 2025.
[[link removed]]
* On August 21, Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 30 school districts, in partnership with over 100 community-based preschool programs, will receive a total of $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to expand access to high-quality, affordable preschool for children and families across Massachusetts. These grants maintain the state’s expanded access to high-quality preschool, supporting approximately 220 preschool classrooms and 3,200 seats for children across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start, and other community-based preschool programs.
* On August 21, the Healey-Driscoll Administration unveiled a 25-year plan to protect and restore nature across Massachusetts. The plan, known as the Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth, was designed to rebuild nature, sustain the health and well-being of residents, improve access to fresh food and enhance the overall quality of life and economy for everyone.
* On August 20, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $290,000 in grant funding for four initiatives across Massachusetts to provide job training, employment placement, and post-placement services for 40 young adults with disabilities. As part of the grants, $77,500 will support planning grants for training providers.
* On August 20, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative (CCTCI), a new $10 million funding opportunity from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) to help convert underused commercial buildings into residential and mixed-use housing across Massachusetts.
* On August 19, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1 million in grants to five organizations through the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, which funds nonprofits focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.
[[link removed]]
* On August 19, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it had approved 18 new career technical education (CTE) programs in 16 high schools. Together, these new programs will support 900 more students a year to access career-connected learning. These approvals include an aviation maintenance program at Greater Lawrence Regional Technical High School, the second such program in the state, at a time when the number of people employed in air transportation in Massachusetts has been increasing significantly and steadily.
* On August 19, Governor Maura Healey announced that 10 Massachusetts cities have received $5.7 million in funding to help ensure sufficient staffing for emergency services such as fire and police.
* On August 19, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) announced the 2024 economic impact of the state’s travel and tourism industry, which grew to $24.2 billion in direct spending from 52.6 million domestic and international travelers, generating $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenue and supporting 155,808 jobs across the state.
* On August 19, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it was awarding $9.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success - Massachusetts (PRISM) II grants to 29 school districts and an educational collaborative. These grants are funded through Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative to make sure Massachusetts preschool programs, schools, educators and students have access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction.
* On August 14, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the opening of the FY2026 round of the Seaport Economic Council Grant Program, which is administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development and provides funding to support working waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resiliency, and maritime innovation across Massachusetts’ coastal region.
* On August 13, Governor Maura Healey signed an Executive Order creating a Commission on Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for State-Owned Land to advise her on potential reforms to the PILOT program. The state owns over half a million acres of land, such as state parks and forests, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, and state military campgrounds. To compensate municipalities for the loss of local property taxes related to this land, the state administers a PILOT program that provides them with funding.
[[link removed]]
* On August 13, the Healey-Driscoll Administration issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of a surplus, underutilized 5.05-acre parking lot located at 210 Springs Rd, Bedford on the Middlesex Community College Campus (MCC) into at least 20 new homes. This is the first RFP issued by the state since Governor Maura Healey launched her “State Land for Homes” initiative, an inventory of more than 450 acres of surplus state-owned land that could be used for the development of 3,500 new housing units across Massachusetts.
* On August 13, Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $2.3 million in new funding to expand ferry and water transportation services on the Boston Harbor. The grants will support six projects that make water-based transit a faster, more affordable, and more accessible option for residents — whether they’re commuting to work, visiting cultural landmarks or exploring educational opportunities along the harbor.
* On August 11, the Healey-Driscoll Administration declared August 10-16, 2025, as Urban Agriculture Week in Massachusetts, celebrating the innovation, impact and growth of farms in urban neighborhoods. To kick off the week, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle visited Mack Park Farm in Salem, where they joined the local community for the farm’s annual Harvest Festival. The weeklong event will feature events across the state, highlighting the role urban farms play in delivering fresh, affordable food to city neighborhoods.
* On August 8, Governor Maura Healey signed into law a new Chapter 90 bill, delivering $300 million in critical transportation and infrastructure funding to every city and town across Massachusetts. The bill reflects the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to strengthening local roads, reducing congestion, and ensuring safe, reliable travel across the state.
* On August 7, Governor Maura Healey signed the updated Shield Law to strengthen protections for patients and providers. The new law prevents the disclosure of sensitive data, such as a physician’s name, and formally establishes that abortions are to be provided in emergencies due to medical necessity. Additionally, the law prohibits Massachusetts state or local authorities from cooperating with any federal or out-of-state investigation into health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts, such as abortion care.
* On August 7, Massachusetts was ranked #1 in Outdoor Recreation Businesses Relocation. A recent report from Business Facilities, a leading resource for business site selection, ranked Massachusetts as the fastest-growing outdoor recreation economy. The outdoor recreation economy is a significant and growing contributor to the U.S. economy. It is also a growing factor in where businesses and employees alike decide to work and live.
* On August 6, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it was awarding $3.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) III literacy grants to 25 school districts and collaboratives. These grants will help school districts implement lasting improvements in English language arts and literacy instruction for grades 4–12 through the evaluation, selection and implementation of high-quality instructional materials.
* On August 6, one year after Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act (AHA) into law, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s housing agenda is delivering results to increase the production of reasonably-priced housing and lower costs across the state. A new digital thermometer released by the administration today shows that since Governor Healey took office, more than 90,000 new housing units have been completed or are set to enter development.
* On August 5, Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts had officially met all state and federal licensure and certification milestones for its two state-operated veterans homes, signaling a new era of stability, oversight and excellence in care for those who served.
* On August 5, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $24.2 million in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants to 23 school districts to train 2,490 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors across Massachusetts.
* On August 4, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 272 schools in Massachusetts were selected to receive free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring this school year, designed to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills — with Grade 1 as the top priority. High-dosage tutoring provides one-on-one or small-group tutoring sessions multiple times a week for at least 10 weeks. This program was created by Governor Maura Healey as part of her comprehensive strategy to improve literacy for all Massachusetts students and is funded through a $25 million investment in Fair Share dollars.
* On August 1, Governor Maura Healey reminded Massachusetts renters, landlords and brokers that the state’s new policy banning forced renter-paid brokers fees goes into effect today. Earlier this year, Governor Healey proposed and then signed a provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that prohibits landlords of residential rental properties from requiring that renters pay the landlords’ broker fees. Now, the broker’s fees for rental units must be paid by the person who hired the broker or salesperson.
*
August showed us what’s possible when bold leadership meets real action. Thanks to Team Healey-Driscoll, Massachusetts is not just making promises – we’re making progress. Whether it’s housing, education, infrastructure, or protecting fundamental rights, this administration is fighting for a Commonwealth that works for everyone. We’re just getting started.
Onward,
MassDems
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Paid for by the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee
Massachusetts Democratic Party
11 Beacon St
Suite 410
Boston, MA 02108
United States
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .
Dear Friend,
August was a powerhouse month for Team Healey-Driscoll, delivering bold progress on housing, education, economic opportunity, and protecting patients' rights across the Commonwealth. From securing millions to expand preschool and career training, to advancing the West-East Rail project and strengthening legal safeguards for reproductive care, the Administration is getting results that matter. Here’s a look at just some of the impactful wins that are making life better for people across Massachusetts.
* On August 26, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Division of Insurance announced that five of the state’s health insurance carriers will return $75.6 million to over 350,000 people covered by individual and small employer plans in Massachusetts under the state’s enforcement of the Massachusetts health laws.
* On August 25, Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated $3.5 million secured by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to continue advancing West-East Rail. This federal funding was awarded to the Rail and Transit Division, through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID). It will be used to support the Boston-Albany Corridor Service Development Plan (SDP), which is an essential step in expanding and enhancing train service connecting Boston and Albany, New York, through Springfield.
* On August 25, Governor Maura Healey and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus announced $15 million in Housing Development Inceptive Program (HDIP) awards to create 829 new homes in six Gateway Cities, which kicked off the program’s first funding round of 2025.
[[link removed]]
* On August 21, Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 30 school districts, in partnership with over 100 community-based preschool programs, will receive a total of $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to expand access to high-quality, affordable preschool for children and families across Massachusetts. These grants maintain the state’s expanded access to high-quality preschool, supporting approximately 220 preschool classrooms and 3,200 seats for children across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start, and other community-based preschool programs.
* On August 21, the Healey-Driscoll Administration unveiled a 25-year plan to protect and restore nature across Massachusetts. The plan, known as the Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth, was designed to rebuild nature, sustain the health and well-being of residents, improve access to fresh food and enhance the overall quality of life and economy for everyone.
* On August 20, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $290,000 in grant funding for four initiatives across Massachusetts to provide job training, employment placement, and post-placement services for 40 young adults with disabilities. As part of the grants, $77,500 will support planning grants for training providers.
* On August 20, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative (CCTCI), a new $10 million funding opportunity from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) to help convert underused commercial buildings into residential and mixed-use housing across Massachusetts.
* On August 19, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1 million in grants to five organizations through the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, which funds nonprofits focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.
[[link removed]]
* On August 19, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it had approved 18 new career technical education (CTE) programs in 16 high schools. Together, these new programs will support 900 more students a year to access career-connected learning. These approvals include an aviation maintenance program at Greater Lawrence Regional Technical High School, the second such program in the state, at a time when the number of people employed in air transportation in Massachusetts has been increasing significantly and steadily.
* On August 19, Governor Maura Healey announced that 10 Massachusetts cities have received $5.7 million in funding to help ensure sufficient staffing for emergency services such as fire and police.
* On August 19, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) announced the 2024 economic impact of the state’s travel and tourism industry, which grew to $24.2 billion in direct spending from 52.6 million domestic and international travelers, generating $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenue and supporting 155,808 jobs across the state.
* On August 19, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it was awarding $9.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success - Massachusetts (PRISM) II grants to 29 school districts and an educational collaborative. These grants are funded through Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative to make sure Massachusetts preschool programs, schools, educators and students have access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction.
* On August 14, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the opening of the FY2026 round of the Seaport Economic Council Grant Program, which is administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development and provides funding to support working waterfronts, local tourism, coastal resiliency, and maritime innovation across Massachusetts’ coastal region.
* On August 13, Governor Maura Healey signed an Executive Order creating a Commission on Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for State-Owned Land to advise her on potential reforms to the PILOT program. The state owns over half a million acres of land, such as state parks and forests, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, and state military campgrounds. To compensate municipalities for the loss of local property taxes related to this land, the state administers a PILOT program that provides them with funding.
[[link removed]]
* On August 13, the Healey-Driscoll Administration issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of a surplus, underutilized 5.05-acre parking lot located at 210 Springs Rd, Bedford on the Middlesex Community College Campus (MCC) into at least 20 new homes. This is the first RFP issued by the state since Governor Maura Healey launched her “State Land for Homes” initiative, an inventory of more than 450 acres of surplus state-owned land that could be used for the development of 3,500 new housing units across Massachusetts.
* On August 13, Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $2.3 million in new funding to expand ferry and water transportation services on the Boston Harbor. The grants will support six projects that make water-based transit a faster, more affordable, and more accessible option for residents — whether they’re commuting to work, visiting cultural landmarks or exploring educational opportunities along the harbor.
* On August 11, the Healey-Driscoll Administration declared August 10-16, 2025, as Urban Agriculture Week in Massachusetts, celebrating the innovation, impact and growth of farms in urban neighborhoods. To kick off the week, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle visited Mack Park Farm in Salem, where they joined the local community for the farm’s annual Harvest Festival. The weeklong event will feature events across the state, highlighting the role urban farms play in delivering fresh, affordable food to city neighborhoods.
* On August 8, Governor Maura Healey signed into law a new Chapter 90 bill, delivering $300 million in critical transportation and infrastructure funding to every city and town across Massachusetts. The bill reflects the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to strengthening local roads, reducing congestion, and ensuring safe, reliable travel across the state.
* On August 7, Governor Maura Healey signed the updated Shield Law to strengthen protections for patients and providers. The new law prevents the disclosure of sensitive data, such as a physician’s name, and formally establishes that abortions are to be provided in emergencies due to medical necessity. Additionally, the law prohibits Massachusetts state or local authorities from cooperating with any federal or out-of-state investigation into health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts, such as abortion care.
* On August 7, Massachusetts was ranked #1 in Outdoor Recreation Businesses Relocation. A recent report from Business Facilities, a leading resource for business site selection, ranked Massachusetts as the fastest-growing outdoor recreation economy. The outdoor recreation economy is a significant and growing contributor to the U.S. economy. It is also a growing factor in where businesses and employees alike decide to work and live.
* On August 6, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that it was awarding $3.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) III literacy grants to 25 school districts and collaboratives. These grants will help school districts implement lasting improvements in English language arts and literacy instruction for grades 4–12 through the evaluation, selection and implementation of high-quality instructional materials.
* On August 6, one year after Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act (AHA) into law, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s housing agenda is delivering results to increase the production of reasonably-priced housing and lower costs across the state. A new digital thermometer released by the administration today shows that since Governor Healey took office, more than 90,000 new housing units have been completed or are set to enter development.
* On August 5, Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Massachusetts had officially met all state and federal licensure and certification milestones for its two state-operated veterans homes, signaling a new era of stability, oversight and excellence in care for those who served.
* On August 5, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $24.2 million in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants to 23 school districts to train 2,490 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors across Massachusetts.
* On August 4, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 272 schools in Massachusetts were selected to receive free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring this school year, designed to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills — with Grade 1 as the top priority. High-dosage tutoring provides one-on-one or small-group tutoring sessions multiple times a week for at least 10 weeks. This program was created by Governor Maura Healey as part of her comprehensive strategy to improve literacy for all Massachusetts students and is funded through a $25 million investment in Fair Share dollars.
* On August 1, Governor Maura Healey reminded Massachusetts renters, landlords and brokers that the state’s new policy banning forced renter-paid brokers fees goes into effect today. Earlier this year, Governor Healey proposed and then signed a provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that prohibits landlords of residential rental properties from requiring that renters pay the landlords’ broker fees. Now, the broker’s fees for rental units must be paid by the person who hired the broker or salesperson.
*
August showed us what’s possible when bold leadership meets real action. Thanks to Team Healey-Driscoll, Massachusetts is not just making promises – we’re making progress. Whether it’s housing, education, infrastructure, or protecting fundamental rights, this administration is fighting for a Commonwealth that works for everyone. We’re just getting started.
Onward,
MassDems
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Paid for by the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee
Massachusetts Democratic Party
11 Beacon St
Suite 410
Boston, MA 02108
United States
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .
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