The Massachusetts Police Association's Executive Director Jim Machado works tirelessly to ensure that the voice of the association is heard on Beacon Hill. Jim is well respected and has been instrumental in ensuring our primary goals are communicated to the State Delegation. On this page you will find the latest news from Beacon Hill. Jim is constantly updating the association with breaking news that is pertinent to not only active police officers but also retired.
Moments ago, the Senate voted on a cloture motion to allow a formal vote on the Social Security Fairness Act which corrects a 40 year injustice to public servants throughout the country.This will allow retirees in Massachusetts and others to be allowed to collect their rightful benefit. A formal vote should follow shortly. The Association […]
A vote has been scheduled in the House for 11/12 on H82 which would allow Massachusetts public employees to collect their full social security benefit. Early this week members of the Freedom caucus moved to table any action. Although there are several possible outcomes, this is the closest to passage. Given recent election results with […]
We received word this morning the the Governors Heroes Act will get a vote tomorrow in the House. The bill contains our exact veterans buy back language allowing current employees another opportunity to opt in. This is great news as this was one of our legislative priorities. We will continue to push this to the finish […]
The committee on public service has announced a hearing on March 4, 2024 to discuss changes to civil service. The bill contains language that would allow communities to expand the hiring process. Over the past several years many communities have bargained leaving civil service as a way to expand their potential hires. Click here for […]
In accordance with joint rule 10, the committee has issued their report with legislative decisions on topics that will move forward. Our veterans buy back bill received a favorable recommendation while the retiree earnings was sent to study. We have included it below. Note there are 3 tabs. Favorable, Study and Extension. Contact us with any questions. […]
Late Thursday night the Senate voted 37-3 to advance their version of gun reform. Among the few amendments accepted was a Senator Velis proposal that would mandate repeat gun offenders be held until trial. Another by Senator Fattman would create a new crime for shooting at an officer. Both of these Senators were named legislators […]
In early January, Governor Healey announce 9C cuts in an attempt to bring the fiscal 24 budget into balance. The shortfall was estimated at one billion dollars. Although revenue is higher than fiscal 23, it has fallen short of benchmark which had called for approximately a 4% increase. Unlike cuts by Governor Patrick in the […]
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced on Thursday, November 16, 2023 nearly $5 million in funds awarded to 130 police departments across the state to address their communities’ unmet public safety priorities. The awards were made possible by the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, a federal grant awarded by the Department of Justice to the Office […]
On October 18th, the House overwhelming supported their version of the gun bill. Ten democrats joined the entire Republican caucus in voting against the bill. The one bright spot is an amendment filed by Representative Cusack of Braintree that exempted off duty officers from section 123 was one of four that were accepted. The amendment, […]
This week was one of the most substantive of this legislative session. On Tuesday, we submitted written testimony to the committee on public service regarding a number of important topics. Our bill H2660 which would do away with the monetary earnings cap and make it strictly the 1200 hours was among many bills on the topic. […]