Home prices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts continue to surge, with single-family homes seeing double-digit increases year-over-year. In Rhode Island, the median sales price jumped 11.4% to $440,000, while in Massachusetts, prices also rose significantly. Despite a slowdown in sales activity, low inventory levels are keeping prices high. The condo market in Rhode Island is also experiencing growth, with median prices increasing by 15.64% to $370,000.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is criticizing local authorities in Massachusetts for allowing an illegal alien arrested for “egregious crimes” to be released back into the community, despite an ICE detainer request. The agency says the individual was later apprehended by ICE agents and will be held in custody pending a hearing before an immigration judge.
Governor Healey, Mayor Wu, and Climate Chief Hoffer will represent Massachusetts at an international conference on climate resilience at the Vatican next month. The event, organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences, brings together leaders to discuss how communities can prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Healey will speak on ‘governing in the age of climate change,’ while Wu will address ‘governance, health, and energy.’ Massachusetts is committed to transitioning to renewable energy sources and has received $156 million in grants from the EPA for residential solar energy programs.
A winning lottery ticket sold in Massachusetts worth $25,000 a year for life is set to expire on May 17, 2023. The ticket was sold in Natick at the J Convenience Store & Laundromat and matched the first five numbers in the “Lucky for Life” drawing on May 17, 2022. If the prize is not claimed by the deadline, it will be returned to the lottery’s net profit and distributed to cities and towns in Massachusetts.
A conservative activist group has called on Governor Maura Healey’s top transportation official, Monica Tibbits-Nutt, to resign over her proposal to impose tolls on drivers entering Massachusetts from out of state. The proposal, made during a speech on April 10th, has drawn widespread criticism, with the group arguing that it unfairly targets non-residents and would further burden residents already facing rising living costs.
On the occasion of Earth Day, Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts joined ‘Power Lunch’ to shed light on the importance of environmental protection and the state’s role in tackling climate change. She emphasized the significance of Climatech, a conference hosted by Massachusetts with the aim of finding solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has awarded over $156 million to Massachusetts for its Solar for All program. The program aims to provide residential solar power, lower energy costs, and advance environmental justice for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Massachusetts’ program will deploy 125 megawatts of solar capacity, reduce energy costs for over 31,000 households, and support 2,800 clean energy jobs.
Half of Massachusetts residents support legalizing online lottery sales, according to a recent poll. The proposal is currently being considered by state legislators and has the backing of Lottery Director Mark William Bracken. The online lottery, known as ‘e-instant’ tickets, would offer instant access to lottery games, providing convenience comparable to sports betting and fantasy sports apps. Governor Maura Healey’s budget proposal includes projected revenue from online lottery sales, and the House budget plan also includes the authorization. Despite declining scratch ticket sales, lottery officials believe online sales could reinvigorate interest and level the playing field with online gambling platforms.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has stated that she does not support tolls at state borders despite earlier suggestions from the state’s transportation department secretary. Healey has instructed the secretary, Monica Tibbits-Nutt, that border tolls are not part of her administration’s plans.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has strongly opposed a proposed state border toll that Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt suggested earlier this month. Sununu, a Republican, criticized the idea as an unnecessary financial burden on Massachusetts residents, and he encouraged them to consider moving to New Hampshire. While the governors of other New England states have yet to comment on the proposal, Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio has also expressed strong opposition, stating that it would have devastating economic and infrastructural impacts on the region.
