State Sen. Robyn Kennedy on Budget, Child Welfare Reform, Housing Costs, ICE, and the Final Weeks of the Massachusetts Legislative Session

“I’m really proud to say that we completed the budget without any new taxes or fees for our residents while also bringing a lot of critical services and resources back to our communities.”

By-Hank Stolz
Photo – Submitted

WORCESTER, MA-As the Massachusetts Legislature enters the final weeks of its formal session, State Senator Robyn Kennedy joined Radio Worcester to discuss some of the year’s most significant legislative priorities, including the state budget, child welfare reform, housing affordability, energy costs, and immigration policy.

Kennedy said lawmakers completed the new fiscal year budget while avoiding new taxes and fees.

“I’m really proud to say that we completed the budget without any new taxes or fees for our residents while also bringing a lot of critical services and resources back to our communities.”

Among the budget highlights she cited were:

• A $40 million increase in unrestricted general government aid for cities and towns.
• Creation of a Chapter 70 Review Commission to evaluate and improve Massachusetts’ school funding formula.
• Continued investments in local services while maintaining fiscal stability.

Comprehensive Child Welfare Reform

Kennedy also highlighted legislation she filed addressing child welfare reform.

She described the bill as a comprehensive overhaul designed to strengthen protections for children while improving accountability and coordination within the child welfare system.

“I’m really excited and proud to say that two weeks ago we passed a bill that I had filed. It’s a child welfare reform, comprehensive omnibus legislative bill.”

Affordability Remains a Top Concern

Kennedy acknowledged that many Massachusetts residents continue to struggle with rising costs, particularly housing and property taxes.

She expressed support for legislation allowing communities to adopt local rent stabilization measures if they choose.

Kennedy also voiced disappointment after the state’s highest court invalidated a proposed statewide ballot initiative on rent stabilization.

Energy Costs and Protecting Consumers

Another legislative priority involves energy policy.

Kennedy said lawmakers continue working on legislation intended to protect ratepayers while improving the state’s long-term energy infrastructure and reliability.

Immigration and ICE

Responding to a listener question about federal immigration enforcement, Kennedy offered strong criticism of current enforcement practices.

“I want ICE out of Massachusetts and the barbaric tactics to end,” she said.

The conversation explored the distinction between federal immigration authority and state government, along with ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy in Massachusetts.

Defending Fellow Legislators

Kennedy also responded to criticism directed at fellow legislators James O’Day and Mary Keefe during their re-election campaigns.

She argued that much of a legislator’s work occurs outside of public view through committee meetings, negotiations, constituent services, and collaboration with stakeholders.

According to Kennedy, legislative effectiveness cannot be measured solely by media appearances or social media visibility.

Andrew Davis Reflects on 17 Years Transforming Worcester Regional Airport

Andrew Davis Says Worcester Airport’s Biggest Challenges Were “Myths”

“I can thank the city’s leadership and the state leadership to understand that the second largest city in New England needs and deserves an airport,”

By-Staff
Photo – Copyright Andrew Davis

WORCESTER, MA-Andrew Davis concluded his tenure as director of Worcester Regional Airport Friday, July 3rd, after 17 years.

In speaking with Andy Davis, host, Hank noted that when Davis took over, people were openly talking about if there should even be an airport. “I can thank the city’s leadership and the state leadership to understand that the second largest city in New England needs and deserves an airport,” said Davis.

Taking over in 2008 when Massport assumed ownership, Davis oversaw more than $150 million in infrastructure investments, most notably a $30 million instrument landing system upgrade that reduced weather-related flight cancellations. Still, it can be hard to shake off some of the preconceived notions, “Two of them, I call them as myths that I was faced with was that it was always fogged in and it’s a difficult airport to get to” Davis says neither of those things are true, “It’s the people that don’t use the airport that are living that myth.”

The airport now serves approximately 80% leisure travelers with stable service from JetBlue, American Airlines, and Delta, while also supporting growing general aviation and corporate jet operations. Looking forward, opportunities exist in cargo operations through Amazon Prime’s narrow-body fleet and expanded business travel connections to major hubs.

Davis leaves the airport with the achieved goal of filling the parking lot with cars as more people Fly Worcester.

American Antiquarian Society Invites the Public to Experience America’s Story on the 250th Anniversary

President Scott Casper reflects on America’s continuing pursuit of a “more perfect union” and previews a July 4 celebration featuring rare Revolutionary-era treasures.

“It’s extraordinary for a Republic to last 250 years. It’s extraordinary that we continue to ask many of the same questions that people were asking in the late 1700s.”

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic – Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MA-As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Scott Casper, president of the American Antiquarian Society, says one of America’s greatest achievements is not perfection—but its continued willingness to pursue it.

Speaking with Hank Stolz on Radio Worcester, Casper reflected on the nation’s remarkable longevity and the enduring questions Americans continue to ask about democracy, freedom and citizenship.

“It’s extraordinary for a Republic to last 250 years. It’s extraordinary that we continue to ask many of the same questions that people were asking in the late 1700s.”

Casper emphasized that the Declaration of Independence established ideals rather than promises of perfection.

“We’re never perfect. We’re never done. The whole idea is to make us more perfect, to keep working toward those ideals that we see laid out in 1776.”

Both Casper and Stolz recalled the excitement surrounding America’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976. While many remember that year as a time of national unity, Casper noted that history is often remembered more fondly than it actually unfolded.

“The Bicentennial was on the heels of the Vietnam War and Watergate, some of the most divisive episodes in American history,” he said. “So, it wasn’t all fun and games.”

To help Central Massachusetts residents connect directly with America’s past, the American Antiquarian Society is opening its doors on Friday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visitors will have the rare opportunity to view:

• Original printings of the Declaration of Independence from 1776
• Artifacts connected to the Boston Tea Party
• Historic materials from Fort McHenry
• Rare documents spanning the nation’s first century (1776–1876)

Guests will also be able to print their own copy of the Declaration of Independence using tabletop printing presses before gathering for a public reading of the Declaration at noon on the steps of Antiquarian Hall.

Founded in 1812 by patriot, printer and publisher Isaiah Thomas, the American Antiquarian Society has spent more than two centuries preserving the printed record of early America.

Casper hopes visitors leave with something deeper than historical knowledge.

“We want people today to have a similar kind of excitement about American history and about the actual stuff of that history—not just the stories that we tell, but the actual documents and materials because that’s what gets your hands on the past.”