This past week was a busy one on Beacon Hill, with multiple legislative hearings as well as a meeting at POST. On Monday, we submitted testimony before the Committee on Public Service on the following legislation: H.2926 – An Act to Establish a Commission to Resolve Collective Bargaining Disputes H.2950 – Relative to Injured and Incapacitated Police Officers S.1817 – Relative to COLA Adjustments for Long-Term Employees H.2967 – Filed on our behalf by Representative Silvia, this bill seeks to address employee contributions. Currently, employees pay an additional 2% on earnings above $30,000 annually—a threshold established in the 1979 pension reform law. We believe this figure is outdated and unfair. According to the state actuary, adjusted for inflation, the threshold would be more than $135,000 today. Our proposal seeks modest relief by raising the cap to $50,000, resulting in a maximum savings of $400 annually per employee. On Tuesday, we provided testimony before the Judiciary Committee regarding:H.1998 – An Act Establishing a Penalty for False Reports Against Police OfficersThis measure aims to deter frivolous complaints by imposing penalties on those who knowingly file false reports. It does not silence legitimate public complaints but instead targets abuse of the system. H.2057 – The HALO Act: Ensuring Safety and Dignity for First RespondersThis bill seeks to honor officers and their families for their service and sacrifice. On Thursday, we participated in the POST Commission meeting. In coordination with MPTC, the Commission is developing policies related to: Criminal investigation procedures involving juvenile interrogations Detainee transportation protocols Officer response and techniques for interacting with individuals with special needs More hearings are scheduled for this week, and we will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on the latest legislative activity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Jim Machado