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Is Massachusetts Poised to Pass a Tax on Digital Advertising?
March 2, 2021| Blog
Only a handful of states have sought to tax digital advertising, and the path forward is murky at best due to practical considerations, federal preemption and constitutional questions. However, there are at least 4 bills filed for the 2021-2022 legislative session in Massachusetts that would implement a tax on a company that advertises on a digital platform.
As Walsh Awaits Confirmation Vote, DOL Priorities Take Shape
February 16, 2021| Blog
Last week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted 18-4 to advance Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s nomination for labor secretary. The bipartisan approval signals a non-controversial confirmation vote of the full Senate. When that occurs, Secretary-designate Walsh will take over a department that is front and center in the nascent Biden administration. Executing White House priorities including the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the climate crisis, and reversing certain Trump era actions, will soon be Walsh’s responsibility. His experience in Massachusetts politics gives a sense of how Walsh will approach his new post.
Governor Baker Releases FY2022 Budget Bill
January 28, 2021| Blog
During his annual State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Charlie Baker highlighted the heroic work of frontline workers and first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while reminding the Commonwealth that though we are close, we are not out of the dark quite yet. Gov. Baker’s FY2022 (“H1”) budget recommendations support that perspective and indicates the state is still feeling the economic impacts of the pandemic.
COVID-19 Government Relations
May 27, 2020| Blog
What You Need to Know: State and Federal Updates Related to COVID-19
April 3, 2020| Blog
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the nation, your team at ML Strategies continues to monitor legislative and regulatory updates at the federal and state level. Each week, ML Strategies will provide weekly updates from Massachusetts and Washington, DC to keep you informed and aware of relief opportunities and guidance for your businesses and companies.
Health Care Forecast - Massachusetts Legislature
November 12, 2019| Blog
Massachusetts Fall Legislative Preview
September 5, 2019| Blog
With less than a year to go until the end of formal sessions on July 31, 2020, Massachusetts legislators are back in action this month to begin tackling a robust policy agenda. We are poised to see action on both new and pending legislation this fall on a number of priority policy areas.
Mass. House and Senate Leadership Announcements for 2019-2020
February 14, 2019| Article
Robert DeLeo, Speaker of the Mass. House of Representatives, and Mass. Senate President Karen Spilka announce committee chairs for the 2019-2020 legislative session.
Arizona 1115 Medicaid Waiver Update
January 22, 2019| Blog
In 2014, Arizona expanded Medicaid to the new adult group. Following the expansion, Arizona submitted, and CMS approved, an 1115 waiver extension to create the Choice, Accountability, Responsibility, Engagement (CARE) program.
ML Strategies 2018 Outlook: Education
December 5, 2018| Advisory
ML Strategies 2018 Election Preview
September 11, 2018| Advisory
Conventional wisdom holds that 2018 will be a wave election year for Democrats. When one party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House, it is typical that the opposition party makes gains in the midterm elections. Beginning with 1994, at least one chamber of Congress has flipped in each midterm election, save 1998. So far, 2018 seems to fit the trend. Democrats have performed well in several recent special elections, even in deep red districts, and the generic congressional ballot currently has Democrats up. Still, Republicans have several structural advantages that Democrats lack. House districts across the country are drawn in a way that benefits Republicans, giving them a disproportionate share of “safe” seats, and Democrats are tasked with defending 26 seats in the Senate compared to the Republican 9. That being said, the most likely scenario two months from Election Day is that Democrats will take the House. The Senate remains a coin flip.
Massachusetts Legislature Strikes “Grand Bargain”
June 26, 2018| Alert
On June 20, Massachusetts lawmakers approved legislation aimed at preventing several high profile ballot questions from appearing before voters in November.
A Rundown of Recent State Action Relating to Medicaid Expansion
June 4, 2018| Blog
To date, 34 states (including D.C.) have adopted Medicaid expansion. Of the remaining 17 states, some are considering expanding Medicaid.
FY2019 Massachusetts Budget Update: Final Senate Budget
May 30, 2018| Alert
FY2019 Massachusetts Budget Update: The House Budget
May 3, 2018| Advisory
FY2019 Massachusetts Budget Update: House Ways and Means Budget
April 18, 2018| Alert
On Wednesday, April 11, the House Ways and Means Committee proposed a $40.991 billion budget for FY2019 that represents an increase of $1.24 billion, or 3.1 percent, above FY2018 spending levels. The budget proposes $83 million more in spending than Governor Charlie Baker recommended in the FY2019 budget he filed in January.
Massachusetts Attorney General Issues Guidance on Pay Equity Law
April 11, 2018| Blog
Back in July 2016, the Massachusetts legislature passed an Act to Establish Pay Equity (Mass. Gen. Laws c. 149 § 105A, referenced herein as the “Law”), which amends the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (“MEPA”) and serves to bolster gender-based pay inequity protections provided to employees and to generally address gender pay inequality in the Commonwealth.
State Action on Potential 1115 Medicaid Waivers
April 11, 2018| Blog
In a previous blog, we reviewed pending and approved 1115 waivers in 8 states. We also highlighted the trends we see in 1115 waivers, such as changes to coverage requirements, a time limit on how long certain beneficiaries can receive Medicaid coverage, lock-outs if an individual fails to pay a premium or meet the work requirement, and drug testing requirements.
Massachusetts Outlook: The Remainder of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session
February 14, 2018| Advisory
With the end of the 2017-2018 legislative cycle fast approaching, Beacon Hill’s agenda for the coming months has begun to take shape. All major policymaking will need to be concluded by the end of formal sessions on July 31, and lawmakers have a long to-do list they hope to complete before that date.
Governor Baker Files FY2019 Budget
January 30, 2018| Alert
On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, Governor Charlie Baker released a $40.9 billion budget proposal for FY2019. The plan, commonly referred to as House 2, is the fourth Baker has proposed since assuming office and increases spending by 2.6% over FY2018 levels.
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