Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 17, 2026 Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 51 - Report No. 28 July 6-10, 2026 By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of July 6-10. $561 MILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (H 5562) House 148-2, approved and sent to the Senate a $561 million economic development bond bill that supporters say will strengthen key innovation sectors, support small businesses, expand housing opportunities and position the state for long-term economic growth and competitiveness. They note that the measure makes targeted updates across dozens of state programs to improve effi - ciency, encourage investment, reduce barriers to economic development and better prepare Massachusetts for emerging industries and workforce needs. A controversial section of the bill would create a local option allowing municipalities to adopt a local tenant right of fi rst refusal for the sale of multifamily residential properties, giving tenants the opportunity to purchase their building after receiving notice of the owner’s intent to sell. This provision is based on a separate proposed law, known as the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which has been debated for years. Provisions of the package include authorizing cities and towns to adopt commercial conversion zoning to transform underutilized commercial properties into housing and mixedCity of Everett PLANNING BOARD 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Frederick Cafasso- Chairman LEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Public Hearing on an application by 16 Liberty Street LLC Property located at: 16 Liberty Street Site Plan Review In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 40A and with Sections 4 and 19 of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, the Everett Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6:00PM in the Speaker George Keverian Room (Room 37, Everett City Hall) to consider the above-listed application for Site Plan Review. This proposal is for the redevelopment of a 8,016 square foot site, which is currently occupied by a 2-family home and detached garage. The proposed redevelopment contemplates the demolition of the 2-family home and detached garage and construct a 3-story residential structure containing 6 units. The proposal also contemplates 12 surface parking spaces in the rear of the structure. 16 Liberty Street are parcels of land referenced by Assessor’s Department as C0-03-000168 & C0-03-000169. A copy of the application and plans are on file and available in the Office of the City Clerk and the Department of Planning and Development, both located at City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 and can be inspected online anytime at http://www.cityofeverett.com/449/PlanningBoard and/or by request during regular City Hall business hours by contacting The Planning and Development Office at 617-394-2334. All persons interested in or wishing to be heard on the applications may attend and participate in person. This project, along with all other projects to be discussed at the meeting, can be found on the posted Agenda at the following link: http://www.cityofeverett.com/AgendaCenter. Questions and comments can be directed in advance of the public hearing to Matt Lattanzi of the Department of Planning & Development at Department of Planning & Development at Matt. Lattanzi@ci.everett.ma.us or 617-394-2230. Frederick Cafasso Chairman July 17, 24, 2026 use developments through streamlined local approvals; allowing multifamily housing on qualifying land of less than four acres owned by religious institutions and mandating that 20 percent of the units be aff ordable; lowering the fi ling fee for a new limited liability company (LLC) from $500 to $100; establishing safety standards and operational rules for personal transportation devices such as motorized bicycles; extending the period during which taxpayers may claim the Massachusetts fi lm tax credit from 12 months to 24 months; and creating a tax credit program to encourage digital game development in the Bay State. The $561 million includes $100 million to strengthen the state’s defense leadership and accelerate the development of cutting-edge national security solutions; $75 million to support AI tools, infrastructure and emerging technologies; $25 million to support downtown revitalization through capital funding for infrastructure and public spaces; $20 million in capital funding to invest in sites designed to attract international companies to Massachusetts; and $20 million for the veterans supported housing initiative program “This legislation will bolster the commonwealth’s competitiveness by expanding the housing supply, by safeguarding critical institutions and jobs, by attracting new investments and by positioning Massachusetts for long-term economic success,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “As the commonwealth continues to navigate a housing crisis, the reforms in this legislation will help to increase housing production – a prerequisite for bringing costs down.” “This well-rounded economic development package makes significant, targeted investments into major sectors of the commonwealth’s economy,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), the chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “By advancing this legislation, we will be helping our small businesses cope with an ever-changing economic picture, while also making key advances for housing developments and protections across the commonwealth.” “This legislation refl ects Massachusetts’ commitment to building an economy that is innovative, competitive and inclusive,” said Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “By investing in housing, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, strengthening our innovation ecosystem, and preparing for emerging industries like artifi cial intelligence, AgTech, and the defense sector, we are making strategic investments that will create jobs and expand opportunity across every region of the commonwealth. Just as importantly, this bill gives our cities and towns new tools to address local challenges, helps safeguard our economy against federal uncertainty and ensures Massachusetts remains the best place to start a business, grow a company and bring new ideas to market.” “I am concerned, among other things, that the TOPA component of this legislation will have a severely detrimental impact on small property owners,” said Rep. Dave DeCoste (R-Norwell), one of only two members who voted against the bill. “I believe TOPA will diminish the value of existing properties and discourage potential investors from buying existing properties or building new multi-family homes.” Rep. Ken Sweezey (R-Duxbury), the only other legislator to vote against the bill, did not respond to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he opposed the measure. “The spending package does nothing to cut taxes, lower costs or make Massachusetts more competitive with states like New Hampshire, Florida, Texas and North Carolina,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Mass Fiscal Alliance which opposed the bill. “Massachusetts cannot spend its way to economic competitiveness. Rather than reducing the tax burden on residents, employers and small businesses, the bill relies on more borrowing, diverting funds to create new programs and government-directed spending while avoiding the broad-based tax relief Massachusetts needs.” “Businesses do not choose where to locate based on another grant program coming out of Beacon Hill,” continued Craney. “They look at the overall cost of BEACON | SEE PAGE 17
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