Healey says the $1 billion in tax breaks were "imperative," despite a projected revenue shortfall.

The state’s budget chief says cuts are unrelated to soaring shelter costs.

Elizabeth "Bessie" Dewar would serve on the state’s highest court — and, despite questions about her young age and lack of experience on the bench, the council that can confirm her had nothing but high praises Wednesday.

Administration officials say they can keep the shelter system running without making other budget cuts by tapping surplus funds.

House Democrats were able to get a quorum of members together to push through a compromise on a long-overdue package they failed to wrap up before the Legislature shifted into a seven-week holiday stretch of informal sessions.

Gov. Maura Healey plans to hire a new chief coastal resilience officer to lead the effort.

The governor said public employees are counting on the raises held up in the nearly $3-billion bill.

Gov. Healey calls hate crimes "corrosive to our democracy and to our freedoms."

The state and United Way of Massachusetts Bay announced a $5-million grant program for local organizations to stand up short term overnight sites for “families and pregnant individuals with no alternative shelter options.”

Time limits for shelter stays are on the table.