In the News
Massachusetts Playbook Politico
By MIA MCCARTHY, KELLY GARRITY and LISA KASHINSKY
01/23/2024
THERE’S A BILL FOR THAT -Some New Hampshire voters received calls Monday from a fake Joe Biden, encouraging them to sit out today’s primary and “save” their vote until November. The New Hampshire attorney general’s office is investigating the incident, Lisa reports, and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu slammed the robo calls as illegal “voter suppression.” Meanwhile in Massachusetts, a bill filed by state Sen. Barry Finegold earlier this month would keep “deepfake” media out of campaigns in the last three months leading up to an election.
Proposal Targets Targets 'Deep Fake' Political Advertising - Eagle Tribune
By Christian M. Wade
1/15/2024
State Senator Barry Finegold, D-Andover, has proposed legislation aimed at curbing the use of deepfake technology in political campaigns. The bill would prohibit candidates running for office from distributing deceptive or fraudulent synthetic ads within 90 days of an election in which they or their political party are on the ballot. Violators could face fines of up to $10,000, but the legislation exempts news organizations from liability if they make a "good faith effort" to clarify the inauthenticity of the material. Finegold emphasizes the potential for deepfake advertising to confuse and distort candidates' records, calling it destructive to the political system. The bill allows exemptions for candidates who include a prominent disclaimer in their ads stating that the content has been manipulated or generated by artificial intelligence. Deepfakes, computer-generated manipulations of visual or audio content, have become a growing concern in the realm of political campaigns, prompting efforts at both the state and federal levels to regulate their use.
WHAV News Staff
1/15/2024
The Massachusetts Senate has passed a bill, "An Act to provide for competitiveness and infrastructure investment in Massachusetts," aimed at utilizing the interest on the state's $8.2 billion rainy day fund to enhance the state and local communities' ability to compete for federal grants.
The legislation, if approved by the House, would direct the state comptroller to move the annual interest, approximately $250 million, to the Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Funds. This move is expected to unlock over $800 million in the coming years, which can be used for state or municipal match requirements for federal competitive grant opportunities and planning work for grant applications. After federal grant opportunities expire, the funds will be allocated to reduce the Commonwealth's long-term liabilities. The bill supports the state's competitiveness for federal funding opportunities, totaling up to $17.5 billion, through various federal programs.
Senator Barry R. Finegold expressed pride in voting for the legislation, emphasizing its commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic investments in the state's future. Senate President Karen E. Spilka highlighted the importance of creatively managing the state's finances to remain competitive, equitable, and affordable. The bill was originally filed by Gov. Maura Healey in October.
By WHAV News Staff
01/24/2024
Senator Barry R. Finegold's proposed law, aimed at banning deceptive deepfake media of political candidates, has been referred to the Committee on Election Laws by the Senate. The legislation seeks to prohibit the creation and dissemination of synthetic media within 90 days of an election, depicting candidates or political parties with the intent to deceive voters or harm the candidate or party's reputation. The term "deepfake" refers to synthetic media, including false images, audio, or video. Violators of the law could face a penalty of up to $10,000, with exceptions for bona fide news reports, satire, or parody.
By Kimberly Atkins Stohr - 01/24/2024
While the law struggles to catch up, candidates and prosecutors must use existing law to try to curb AI-generated misinformation. - Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, recently highlighted the significant threat posed by political deepfakes to the integrity of elections during a U.S. Senate hearing. Despite the potential danger, political parties and candidates have embraced deepfakery, leading to situations where the public struggles to distinguish between genuine content and manipulated information.
State lawmakers, including Senator Barry Finegold, are attempting to address the issue through the introduction of bills, but the absence of comprehensive federal legislation and constitutional concerns related to free speech protections, including satire and artificial porn, present obstacles to effective regulation. As the law grapples with catching up to technological advancements, existing legal frameworks may be leveraged, such as a Reconstruction-era law used to convict an individual spreading disinformation during the 2016 election. The urgency to take action is clear, highlighted by recent incidents like a deepfake featuring Joe Biden, which underscores the serious threat posed by the dissemination of manipulated content to the democratic process.
Andover Getting $20k From State for Flood Relief - Andover News
By Dave Copeland - 01/30/2024
State Senator Barry Finegold announced that Andover will receive $20,000 from the $10 million released by the Healey administration to aid communities affected by last summer's flooding. In a note to constituents, Finegold revealed that North Andover and Haverhill will also receive significant amounts, $725,000 and $480,000 respectively, to support ongoing rebuilding efforts. The funding is crucial for the towns, especially Andover, where a microburst in September caused extensive damage, including downed trees and widespread power outages. Town officials estimate a five-year timeline for completing the cleanup, particularly in wooded areas.
The Healey administration is additionally allocating an extra $7 million to increase the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program by 35%, supporting towns and cities in planning, designing, and implementing "nature-based" programs to combat future inland flooding. The town had previously faced flash flooding in August, and efforts are underway to secure state and federal funding to alleviate flood damage costs.
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Democrat Dylan Fernandes draws donations from Beacon Hill colleagues in Senate bid - Boston Herald – Chris Van Buskirk - 1/04/2024
2023 Select Board Year in Review - Tewksbury Town Crier – Rosalyn Impink - 1/06/2024
Dellbrook|JKS celebrates progress at The Beck in Haverhill, MA - High Profile – 12/20/2023
Beacon Hill Roll Call Tracking Local Senators Party Line Votes - Bob Katzen – Beacon Hill Roll Call - 12/18/2023
New Whittier Tech Goes Before Voters in January After Surviving Two Challenges Wednesday - WHAV - Tim Coco - 12/14/2023
How AI Could Make Our Laws: First Bill Written by ChatGPT Gets Approved - Techopedia - Claudio Buttice - 12/14/2023
State Invites Haverhill's John Greenleaf Whittier School to Advance Plans for New Building - WHAV - Tim Coco - 12/14/2023
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Senate attendance records for 2023 session - Bob Katzen – Beacon Hill Roll Call - 12/11/2023
Cyber Week Review - Council on Foreign Relations - Kat Duffy, Kyle Fendorf and Eva Schwartz - 12/08/2023
Bill in Massachusetts Would Require Seat Belts on School Buses - Melanie DaSilva, Jake Holter - WPRI - 12/05/2023
Elected officials address housing crisis - Rosalyn Impink – Tewksbury Town Crier - 12/02/2023
First Class at New Haverhill Consentino School in 2026 get Early Welcome at Ceremony - Tim Coco – WHAV - 11/21/2023
Sens Finegold and Payano Praise Addition of 15 Million for Storm Damage Aid in Budget – WHAV Staff - 11/16/2023
Veterans Fed and Feted During Annual Luncheon - Matt Petry – The Daily News (11.9.23)
Nurses Health Care Lobbyists Press Legislators on Joining Nurse Licensure Compact – State House News Service - November 9, 2023
Sens Finegold and Payano Seek Resident Input at Tuesday Haverhill Conversation - WHAV News Staff - November 8, 2023
Gale Park Fountain Flows Again in Haverhill - Mike Labella - Eagle Tribune - 11/6/2023
Dedication for New Fountain at Gale Park This Saturday.- Mike Labella - Eagle Tribune - 11/1/2023
Haverhill Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month - Mike Labella - Eagle Tribune - 10/26/2023
Haverhill Hispanic Heritage Month Draws More Than 300 People Features Food Music - WHAV - 10/24/2023
Lawyers Taking Notice of Emerging NIL Practice Niche Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly - Heath Hamacher And Pat Murphy//October 23, 2023
Lawyers Explore Regulating Youth Sports Massachusetts - CBS - Tiffany Chan - 10/12/2023
State Lawmakers Look into Idea of Governing Body for Youth Sports - Esteban Bustillos WGBH 10/12/2023
Mass Legislatures Weigh Youth Sports Regulations - John Moroney Boston News 10 - October 12, 2023
State Lawmakers Consider Oversight Youth Sports - Jim Morelli - Boston 25 News - October 12, 2023
Lawmakers Look Impact Sports Young Alan Earls - 10/12/2023 - Franklin Observer
Regulating Youth Sports in Massachusetts a Possibility as Lawmakers Float Governing Body - Lance Reynolds - Boston Herald - 10/12/2023
Tewksbury Police and Northern Middlesex Regional Emergency Communications Center Receive Over $400,000 in Grants - Robert Mills - Client News, Police News - October 6, 2023
Gov Healey Visits Haverhill to Celebrate New Tax Cuts for Children and Families - Mike labella - Eagle Tribune - 10/06/2023
Should Mass. end ban on fireworks? State senator weighs in - WCVB staff - WCVB On the Record - 7/02/2023
Mass. state senator reacts to SCOTUS decisions - WCVB staff - WCVB On the Record - 7/02/2023
OTR hosts honored with proclamations from state senate - WCVB staff - WCVB On the Record - 6/30/2023
Affirming the need for higher-ed action - Lisa Kashinsky - Politico - 06/30/2023
Invading your privacy? There's an app for that - Editorial Staff - Boston Globe - 06/27/2023
Mass. Senate unanimously approves nearly $590 million tax relief package - Chris Lisinski - WBUR - 06/16/2023
A Year Later, Tax Relief Bills Again Up For Negotiation - Chris Lisinski - SHNS - 06/15/2023
Proposed State Privacy Law Update - David Stauss - JDSUPRA - June 5, 2023
We must take each one of these seriously': Police, schools, face uptick in threats - Christian M. Wade - Andover Townsman - 06/06/2023
Legislative Update - Rotary Club - 06/06/2023
Keeping T Progress on Track - Lisa Kashinsky - Politico - 06/05/2023
We must take each one of these seriously': Police, schools, face uptick in threats - Christian M. Wade - The Eagle Tribune - 06/04/2023
Proposed State Privacy Law Update - David Stauss - JDSUPRA - May 30, 2023
ChatGPT use among students stirs concerns - Christian Wade - Andover Townsman -05/26/2023
Massachusetts Senate Democrats Push To Lower College Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants - Sam Drysdale - Fall River Reporter - 05/26/2023
Hate crimes in Mass. grew by a third in 2022, ADL report finds - Nick Stoico and Tiana Woodard - Boston Globe - 05/24/2023
Hate crimes increased by 30% in 2022, ADL report finds - Alison Kuznitz - WBUR - 05/23/2023
Hate crimes increased by 30% in 2022, ADL report finds - Alison Kuznitz - SHNS - 05/23/2023
Lawmakers seek more funds for school building - Christian Wade - Eagle Tribune - 05/22/2023
Senators load up budget with local earmarks - Christian Wade - Eagle Tribune - 05/20/2023
Letter: Concerning Andover safety, a picture paints 1,000 words - Editor’s Pick - Eagle Tribune - 05/20/2023
Mass DOT launching road audit following fatal accident in Elm Square - Teddy Tauscher - Eagle Tribune - 05/14/2023
Bill would allow gender changes on marriage licenses - Christian Wade - Eagle Tribune - 05/12/2023
Gov. Healey’s Economic Development Planning Council Comes to Haverhill Next Month - Tim Coco - WHAV - 05/08/2023
Writer, Adviser, Poet, Bot: How ChatGPT Could Transform Politics - Agence France-Presse - Japan Today - 04/28/2023
Gove pushes for increased state funding - Matt Petry - Newburyport Daily News - 04/24/2023
Writer, Adviser, Poet, Bot: How ChatGPT Could Transform Politics - Agence France-Presse - Voice of America - 04/24/2023
Tewksbury Planning Board member leaves after 40-year tenure - Peter Currier - Lowell Sun - 04/04/2023
State Senator drafts legislation to regulate tools like ChatGPT - with the help of ChatGPT - Jasmine Li - BU News Service - 03/31/2023
Robert Fowler Recognized for 40 Years of Service on Planning Board - Lorna Garey - Tewksbury Carnation - 03/28/2023
AI chat is good for nothing — yet - Editorial Board - Star Tribune - 03/25/2023
Schools need standards, resources to improve cybersecurity - Editorial Board - Boston Globe - 03/23/2023
Democrat of the Year honored in North Andover - Will Broaddus - Eagle Tribune - 3/20/2023
Sens. Finegold and Payano Hail Senate Passage of Housing, Education, Safety Net Bill - WHAV News Staff - WHAV - 03/15/2023
North Shore Business Briefs - The Salem News - 03/15/2023
Experimenting with ChatGPT: Insights into 10 Industries - Zaveria - Analytics Insight - 03/14/2023
The Lamp Post - Mike LaBella - The Haverhill Gazette - 03/09/2023
Andover briefly - Editor's Pick -Andover Townsman - 2/28/2023
Rep. Vargas, Sens. Finegold and Payano Note Current Legislative Assignments - WHAV Staff - WHAV - 02/27/2023
Lloyd, Air Force veteran, seeks Housing Authority seat - Heather Burns - Tewksbury Town Crier - 02/25/2023
12+ Things to Know This Week in Tewksbury - Lorna Garey - Tewksbury Carnation - 02/27/2023
Sen. Finegold Reorganizes Staff With New Hires, Promotion - WHAV Staff - WHAV - 02/21/2023
Beacon Hill Roll Call: Slow week for Legislature - Bob Katzen - The Lowell Sun - 02/20/2023
Lawmakers consider COVID-19 memorial day - Christian Wade - Newburyport Daily News - 02/20/2023
Local, State, Federal Elected Officials Take Part in Private Whittier Tech Tour; Hear Pitch for Aid - WHAV Staff - WHAV - 02/20/2023
Select Board receive updates on Olin, housing choice from Sen. Finegold, Rep. Roberston - Lizzy Hill - Wilmington Town Crier - 02/18/2023
Moulton, Reardon and others tour Whittier Tech - The Daily News (Newbury Port) - 2/17/2023
Finegold, Payano and Tarr to Address Merrimack Valley Chamber on Their Senate Priorities - WHAV News Staff - WHAV - 02/16/2023
Mass. Senate lifts 8-year limit on president's term - Chris Lisinski and Sam Doran - WBUR - 2/10/2023
Mass. Senate lifts 8-year limit on president's term - Chris Lisinski and Sam Doran - SHNS - 2/10/2023
DA: Andover father shoots wife, 12-year-old son in murder-suicide - Matthew Medsger, Grace Zokovitch, Flint Mccolgan - Boston Herald - 2/9/2023
Latino Coalition to encourage residents to run for public office - Mike LaBella - The Haverhill Gazette - 2/9/2023
Lawmakers target online harassment - Christian Wade - Eagle Tribune - 2/9/2023
Let’s be smart about regulating AI - Justin Hong - Tufts Daily - 2/9/2023
Educators Wrestle With Help, Harm Of AI - Sam Drysdale - SHNS - 2/6/2023
Educators Wrestle With Help, Harm Of AI - Sam Drysdale - WWLP - 2/6/2023
Haverhill’s State Legislators Hear City Wish List, Admit Problem With Paying for New Schools - WHAV Staff - WHAV - 2/6/2023
Beyond Novelty: Lawmakers (Cautiously) Add ChatGPT to Their Toolbox - Katya Maruri - Government Technology -2/2/2023
ChatGPT could be a useful AI tool. So how are we regulating it? - Christianna Silva - Mashable - 2/2/2023
Lawmakers seek rules for artificial intelligence - Christian Wade - Newburyport Daily News - 1/31/2023
Lawmakers seek rules for artificial intelligence - Christian Wade - Eagle Tribune - 1/30/2023
Globe article featured in the Massachusetts playbook - Lisa Kashinsky - Politico - 1/27/2023
Mass. lawmaker uses ChatGPT to help write legislation limiting the program - Chris Van Buskirk - MassLive - 1/27/2023
Massachusetts lawmakers eye regulation of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence technology - Brandon Truitt - CBS Boston (WBZ) - 1/26/2023
Maura Healey gets ‘glimpse into tomorrow’ in visit to Wilmington’s Analog Devices - Cameron Morsberger - Lowell Sun - 1/26/2023
Mass. State Legislators Use ChatGPT To Write Bills About Regulating AI Tech - Andrew Rich - WBZ News Radio - 1/25/2023
State Senator Barry Finegold’s bill is one of the first “written using the generative artificial intelligence platform.” - Boston Globe - 1/24/2023
In a new frontier, a state senator from Massachusetts has used the AI bot, ChatGPT, to write a bill aimed at restricting it. It helped create a draft to which the Finegold office refined and formatted the bill. - Cristiano Lima - Washington Post - 1/23/2023
Memorial Library and Courageous Conservations Merrimack Valley will soon be kicking off a five-part speaker series titled a "Rise in Hate" The talks will focus on the rise in hate towards Black and brown people, the LGBTQ+ community, the Jewish community, Asian Americans and immigrants, according to a press release from Courageous Conversations Merrimack Valley. - Teddy Tauscher - Andover Townsman - 1/10/2023