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MAPC Supports the Municipal Empowerment Act, S.2571

MAPC Supports the Municipal Empowerment Act Written by Georgia Barlow, Government Affairs Specialist March 11, 2024 – In late February, MAPC attended both the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and the Joint Committee on Revenue to support the Municipal Empowerment Act, S.2571 that was filed by Governor Healey. MAPC is in strong support […]

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Affordable Homes Act Reported Favorably by Joint Committee on Housing

Affordable Homes Act Reported Favorably by Joint Committee on Housing Hearing draws more than 250 municipal officials, housing professionals, business leaders and residents Written by Georgia Barlow, government affairs specialist March 8, 2024 – In early March, the Joint Committee on Housing reported favorably the Affordable Homes Act filed by Governor Healey with all sections […]

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MAPC Advocates for the Arts

MAPC Advocates for the Arts Written by Norman Abbott, Senior Government Affairs Specialist January 24, 2024 – Hundreds of advocates from across the Commonwealth braved the weather for a celebration of Massachusetts’ arts and culture sector. Organized by MASSCreative and co-hosted by MAPC, ArtsBoston, Dunamis, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, MASSCreative, Mass Cultural Council, […]

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Burgeoning Support for Local Option Transfer Fees

Burgeoning Support for Local Option Transfer Fees Legislation would grant cities and towns the ability to establish real estate transfer fees to fund affordable housing. Pictured, MAPC Policy Analyst Matt Walsh speaks at the Local Option for Housing Affordability Coalition’s day of advocacy at the State House. July 19, 2023 – Back in March, hundreds of […]

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MAPC Statement on new Climate Bank

MAPC Statement on new Climate Bank June 13, 2023 – The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in Boston released a statement in support of the state’s new Climate Bank, established by the Healey-Driscoll Administration today with the goal of supporting affordable housing in climate-friendly developments. “We applaud the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for creating this […]

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MAPC Names Legislator and Staffer of the Year at Annual Council Meeting

MAPC Names Legislator and Staffer of the Year at Annual Council Meeting June 7, 2023 – Last week, representatives from 101 Massachusetts cities and towns, gubernational appointees, state and City of Boston officials, and guests came together for MAPC’s Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday, May 31 – the first in-person gathering in three years. We […]

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MAPC Wraps Up Spring Legislative Breakfasts

MAPC Wraps Up Spring Legislative Breakfasts June 2, 2023 – MAPC just wrapped up hosting six legislative breakfasts with seven of our subregions over the course of the spring. We host these breakfasts as a way to connect legislators with planners and town administrators for important conversations around housing, transportation, climate, and municipal government.   This was the first […]

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Codes for Climate: Reducing GHG Emissions through Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Code

Codes for Climate: Reducing GHG Emissions through Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Code   About the Stretch Code and Specialized Code  At the end of 2022, Massachusetts adopted an updated Stretch Energy Code and a new municipal opt-in Specialized Code to support meeting the State’s and local climate goals for rapidly reducing greenhouse gas […]

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MAPC Statement on Extension of Remote and Hybrid Meetings

MAPC Statement on the Extension of Remote and Hybrid Meetings March 30, 2023 – “The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) would like to thank Governor Healey for signing the supplemental, combined spending and borrowing bill into law and the Legislature for their work to quickly advance the key policy and funding issues within it. With […]

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Supporting Households as Federal Extra COVID SNAP Benefits Ends

Supporting Households as Federal Extra COVID SNAP Benefits Ends Written by Jessika Brenin, Public Health & Food Systems Planner II, and Heidi Stucker, AICP, Assistant Director of Public Health During the COVID-19 pandemic, households in Massachusetts enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were receiving extra, temporary benefits, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments. However, […]

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