Policy Advocacy

    The Public Health Institute of Western MA (PHIWM) advocates for strategic policy changes at the state level.

    LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

    In collaboration with our Board of Directors and its Data to Policy Action Board Committee, PHIWM staff work with local, regional, and statewide coalitions to help turn better policy proposals into realities that will advance racial justice and health equity.  Our policy priorities originate from our prior research and coalition building work. They are rooted in the data and stories we gather from our Resident Advisory Council and other people with lived experience. Additionally, we may choose policy priorities that reflect the unique needs of Western MA. We utilize the Health Equity Policy Framework created by the MA Public Health Alliance before endorsing any policy proposal.


    • Scroll down to see our current priorities.





    Nov 2024 | Oct 2024 | Aug 2024

    What We Do

    Policy Information and Resources

    Air Quality Transportation Showcases

    Healthy Air Network invites you to their Air Quality & Transportation Showcases

    March 27, 2026
    These open-house style events are a chance to connect, learn, and take action around air quality and transportation in our community. Drop in at anytime, move at your own pace, visit different tables, and dive into the topics that matter to you! Kids are welcome — activities will be provided. We will also serve food and refreshments. What You’ll Experience: Be the first to see the NEW Healthy Air Network App Launching this spring — get a sneak peek at how you can track air quality and stay informed. Understand the link between air quality & transportation Learn how traffic, transit, and daily choices affect the air we breathe. Turn awareness into action Explore real opportunities to advocate for policies that protect our health and our community. Greenfield Showcase Tuesday, March 31, 2026 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Greenfield Public Library, 412 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301 Register here: bit.ly/GreenfieldHAN Holyoke Showcase Tuesday, April 7, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM Enlace de Familias, 299 Main St, Holyoke, MA 01040 Register here: bit.ly/HolyokeHAN Information will be similar at both sessions. Download Flyer in English Download Flyer in Spanish

    Annual Legislative Briefing

    February 16, 2026
    On February 9, 2026, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts convened partners and legislators to celebrate the FY26 earmark for 413Cares.org and to share updates on major regional initiatives. PHIWM extends deep appreciation to Representative Michael Finn, Senator Adam Gomez, and the entire Western Massachusetts legislative delegation for their continued partnership and support for 413Cares.org , which remains a critical tool for connecting Western MA residents to help when they need it most. 413Cares.org saw major growth in 2025, with searches doubling and the number of users increasing more than fourfold. Check out photos from the gathering below!
    Show More

    Our 2025-2026 Legislative  Priorities

    As of 3/24/26

     - TO COMBAT POVERTY -

    1. Clean Slate Legislation -  **ACTION ALERT**

    Join the Clean Slate MA Coalition | Fact Sheet  | More Info  |  Supporting Organizations & Legislative Co-sponsors 

    PHIWM's written testimony |  Others' written testimonies  |  Media highlights


    • An Act requiring clean slate automated record sealing
    • S.1114  by Sen. Cindy Friedman. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for this bill on 6/3/25 and reported it bill favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 6/16/25.
    • An Act to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence 
    • S.1124 by Sen. Adam Gomez. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for this bill on 6/3/25 and reported it bill favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 6/16/25.


    2. Level-fund 413Cares

    Fact sheet (FY27)  |  413Cares.org 

    • FY27 budget request - $100k in Line Item 4510-0110


    3. End the ‘cliff effect’  (Continue support for the Bridge to Prosperity pilot)

     More info  

    • FY27 budget request - $2.2m in  Line Item 4400-1000 


    4. Healthy Incentive Program  

    Fact sheet (FY27)  |  More info 

    • FY27 budget request - $29.7m in Line Item 4400-1004  (H2=$29.7m  |  FY26=$21.4M​m)


    5. Increase access to affordable, safe, and healthy homes. 


    • An Act Relative to Affordable Housing and Environmental Adaptation Dollars (The AHEAD Act) - Fact sheet | More info
    • S.1973 by Sen. Jamie Eldridge. The Revenue Committee held a hearing for this bill on 7/15/25 and reported it favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 12/22/25.
    • H.3194 by  Rep. Samantha Montaño. The Revenue Committee held a hearing for this bill on 7/15/25; the reporting deadline is 6/26/26.


    • MA Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) - Help tenants afford to stay in their homes - More info
    • S.1008 by Sen. Joan Lovely. The Housing Committee held a hearing for this bill on 7/23/25; then redrafted it to be S.2826, then favorably reported it to Senate Ways & Means on 12/11/25.
    • H.1547 by Rep. Adrian Madero. The Housing Committee held a hearing for this bill on 7/23/25 and favorably reported it to House Ways & Means on 11/5/25. 
    • FY27 budget request - $300m in Line Item 7004-9024 (H2=$278.3m  | FY26=$253.3m​)


    • HomeBASE - To help families that are homeless find stable housing - More info 
    • FY27 budget request - $80m in Line Item 7004-0108 (H2=$82.3m |  FY26=$57.3​​m)


    • Real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing - More Info | Supporting Organizations 
    • S.1937 by Sen. Jo Comerford. The Revenue Committee held a hearing for this bill on 9/9/25 and reported it favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 12/18/25.
    • H.3056 by Reps. Mike Connolly & Carmine Lawrence Gentile. The Revenue Committee held a hearing for this bill on 9/9/25; the reporting deadline is 6/26/26.


    6. Corporate Fair Share to Increase Revenue  (An Act combating offshore tax avoidance) 

    Fact Sheet  |  More Info 


    7. A Road to Opportunity (An Act to increase opportunity by ending debt-based driving restrictions) 

    Fact Sheet 


    8. Digital Equity (An Act preserving broadband service for low-income consumers) 

    Fact sheet  |  More info 

    - TO REDUCE ASTHMA & GREENHOUSE GASES -

    9. Public Transportation (Support Regional transit authorities (RTAs) and micro-transit.) 

    RTA Fact Sheet  | Micro-transit Fact sheet | More info 

    • S.2366 by Sen. Julian Cyr. The Transportation Committee held a hearing for this bill on 9/16/25  and reported it favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 2/19/26. 
    • H.3658 by Reps. Tricia Farley-Bouvier & Todd Smola. The Transportation Committee held a hearing for this bill on 9/16/25; then redrafted it in H.4649 and reported it favorably to the House Rules Committee on 11/20/25.
    • FY27 budget request - $320m for RTAs and $15m for Micro-transit


    10. MA Healthy Homes Program

    Fact Sheet (FY26)  |  More info 

    • FY27 budget request -  $1m in Line Item 4400-1004 (FY26 = 0) 
    • Bond authorization request - $50m in the Mass Ready Act (aka the 2026 environmental bond bill)


    11. Get the Lead Out

    More info

    • FY27 budget request - $6m to recapitalize the fund that without it, will run dry by the fall of 2026


    12. Establish a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund

    Fact Sheet   |  More Info 


    13. Improve Indoor Air Quality  (An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities)

    Fact Sheet  |  Healthy Air Network

    • S.1546 by Sen. Adam Gomez. The Public Health Committee held a hearing for this bill on 6/11/25 and reported it favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 9/4/25.  
    • H.2427 by Reps. Judith Garcia & Samantha Montaño. The Public Health Committee held a hearing for this bill on 6/11/25; then redrafted it to be H.4590, then reported favorably to House Ways & Means on 10/9/25.   


    14. Improve Outdoor Air Quality  (An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities over-burdened by outdoor pollution) 

    FactSheet |  Healthy Air Network |  PHIWM's written testimony

    • S.1548 by Sen. Patricia Jehlen. The Public Health Committee held a hearing for this bill on 9/10/25 and reported it favorably to Senate Ways & Means on 1/7/26.
    • H.2369 by Reps. Christine Barber & Mike Connolly. The Public Health Committee held a hearing for this bill on 9/10/25 and reported it favorably to House Ways & Means on 11/13/25. 


    15. Close the Municipal Lighting Plan (MLP) Biomass Loophole (An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants) 


    16.  Freedom to Move (An Act aligning the Commonwealth’s transportation plans with its climate goals) 

    Fact Sheet  |  More info  |  Coalition's written testimony 

    - TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH & HEALTH EQUITY -


    17. Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE 2.0 for Local Public Health) 

    More info 

    • FY27 budget request - $15m   (H2=$15m  |  FY26=$9.5m) ​


    18. An Act to Advance Health Equity 

    Fact sheet  |  More info 



    - TO PROMOTE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH -

    19. Prevent Problem Gambling -  **ACTION ALERT**

    PHIWM's written testimony   |  PHIWM's report to the MA Gaming Commission



    20. Cover All Kids  (An Act ensuring equitable health coverage for children) 

    Fact Sheet  |  More Info  |  Supporting Organizations 



    21. Funding for School-based Services  (An Act relative to Mass Health reimbursement for schools) 

    Fact Sheet


    FY27 Budget Priorities

    PHIWM's letter to Gov. Healey


    New Title

    New Paragraph