Massachusetts Senate Approves Stem Cell Legislation

12:00AM / Wednesday, March 30, 2005Print Story | Email Story

The Massachusetts Senate has approved legislation that will permit scientists in the Commonwealth to conduct embryonic stem cell research. The measure was overwhelmingly supported by a vote of 35-2. "This bill will allow for critical research that could be used to cure and prevent many of the illnesses our relatives, friends and neighbors suffer from," said state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. (D-Pittsfield), who voted in favor of the legislation. "This is not about cloning, rather it is about providing real opportunities for those with disabilities or illnesses." The bill clarifies the Legislature's support and encouragement of stem cell and other regenerative medical research in the Commonwealth. It also creates a licensing and oversight mechanism for institutions conducting stem cell research; requires informed and voluntary consent from donors; prohibits human reproductive cloning; and provides criminal penalties for violations. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) is conducted on stem cells which are derived from embryos. Supporters note that research done on embryonic cells can be used to cure several terminal illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. SCNT is used to develop stem cells that will not be rejected by a patient's immune system. It is also important because it creates stem cell lines from patients known to have degenerative diseases which allows scientists to study the way a disease develops, explore ways to prevent it, and test drugs that may offer assistance. Currently, Massachusetts law states that scientists interested in conducting stem cell research need the consent of their local district attorney. The legislation approved by the Senate would remove this requirement. Aside from banning human cloning for reproductive purposes, the bill prohibits the selling or buying of a donated embryo; transferring a donated embryo to a uterus; and using an embryo in scientific research or experimentation without prior approval of an institutional review board ("IRB") of a hospital or other institution. This bill now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

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Williamstown Homeowners Facing 7 Percent Hike in Tax Rate

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
02:03PM / Sunday, August 23, 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Property owners will pay nearly a dollar more per $1,000 of assessed value in the current fiscal year under a tax classification proposal that goes to the Select Board on Monday evening.

According to a memo prepared by town Assessor Christopher Lamarre, the FY27 tax rate will be $15.16 per $1,000 of property value, an increase of 96 cents, or 6.8 percent, from the $14.20 per $1,000 property owners paid in the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

The increase is because of a 9.12 percent hike in the levy based on the budget and fiscal articles approved for FY27 at May's annual town meeting.

In FY26, the town collected $21.9 million from property taxes; this year, it needs to collect $24.1 million to pay its bills, a rise of $2.2 million.

That is by far the largest hike in the last 10 years — the period covered by data readily available on the town's website. In FY26, levy grew by 5.8 percent, following an eight-year period where the largest jump was 5.52 percent in 2018.

At the same time, the town continued to see growth rate in the tax base that does not keep up with rising costs. In FY27, "new growth" is pegged at $18.2 million, yielding just $258,004 in new tax revenue — far below the $2.2 million in needed revenue.

The total of taxable property in town in FY27 is $1.6 billion.

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