By: State Senator Pavel Payano – July, 224 In a decisive move aimed at tackling Massachusetts’ ongoing housing crisis, the Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed S.2834, also known as the Affordable Homes Act. This legislation marks a significant step forward in addressing housing affordability, availability, and equity across the state. The Affordable Homes Act is […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 6/24 In a landmark decision, the Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed a budget totaling $57.999 billion for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). This significant decision followed three days of robust and bipartisan debate, resulting in the adoption of over 400 amendments and 43 roll call votes. The Senate added […]
6-14-24 The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans. Because the bill differs from the House Bill passed last month, both chambers will now move to reconcile the differences before sending the […]
State Senator Pavel Payano 05/24 This month, the Massachusetts Senate passed three important consumer protection bills aimed at safeguarding our community members from unfair practices across several sectors. The passage of S.2738 is a milestone in curbing the deceptive practices of third-party electric suppliers. This legislation prevents these entities from enrolling new residential customers, protecting […]
State Senator Pavel Payano – 4-24 Amidst a flurry of legislative activity, myself and my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate have been hard at work this month, addressing a myriad of pressing issues impacting residents across the Commonwealth. From passing significant laws to gearing up for this year’s budget discussions, engaging with constituent cases, to […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 03/24 As the warmth of spring approaches, my dedicated team and I are working tirelessly to strengthen community bonds and advance key legislative initiatives. A recent and pivotal highlight was the historic unveiling of Frederick Douglass’s bust in the Massachusetts Senate, symbolizing not only our commitment to justice and equality […]
By: Senator Pavel Payano – Feb. 2024 In a series of landmark decisions, the Massachusetts State Senate recently passed three crucial bills aimed at enhancing consumer and animal protection across the Commonwealth. Here are some of the bills that passed the Senate and are waiting for the Massachusetts House of Representatives to further consider. 1. […]
Massachusetts State Senator Pavel Payano December, 2023 In a historic move, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Act Relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs, and Transparency, commonly known as the PACT Act 3.0, on November 15, 2023. This bipartisan legislation is a crucial step in urgently needed reforms to address the rising costs of prescription […]
The Crucial Need to Increase the Dropout Age State Senator Pavel Payano – Nov. 2023 As a State Senator, my commitment to improving education in Massachusetts is unwavering. Senate bill 341, “An Act Relative to Dropout Prevention and Student Recovery,” a pivotal piece of legislation, which I sponsored, aims at reshaping the educational landscape for […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano 10-23 In a landmark achievement of bipartisan cooperation, the Massachusetts Legislature has reached a historic compromise on a comprehensive tax relief package, and I am proud to have cast my vote in favor of it. This extraordinary effort was a true compromise between Democrats and Republicans and between the Senate and […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano 9-23 In our modern, interconnected world, the internet has become a fundamental necessity, impacting every facet of our lives, from education and healthcare to employment and communication. However, for numerous families and individuals, a formidable obstacle remains – the digital divide. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) emerges as a pioneering […]
By: Senator Pavel Payano, 7-23 For nearly a century, legacy preferences have played a significant role in American college and university admissions, granting preferential treatment to the children of alumni. These policies were established in the 1920s, coinciding with an influx of Jewish applicants to top schools. However, legacy preferences have been widely criticized as […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 6/23 On Thursday, May 25th, the Massachusetts Senate approved a comprehensive budget of $55.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), signaling the Commonwealth’s commitment to fiscal discipline and the long-term economic well-being of the state. With a focus on equity and opportunity, the Senate’s budget delivers historic levels of […]
State Senator Pavel Payano (5-23) As your State Senator, I am committed to ensuring that every resident in our state has access to the quality mental health care they need and deserve. Mental health challenges can impact anyone, regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, there are significant barriers to accessing mental health care, […]
Leading Community Development and Small Businesses By: MA State Senator Pavel Payano 3-23 This month, I would like to draw attention to a pressing issue regarding over-the-counter medication and introduce a bill that was filed this session to address it: S.1106, An Act specifying an electronic system to ensure that sales of certain products containing […]