Business News

Stay informed on current legislative issues and initiatives on both the local and federal level.

U.S. National Debt Tops $33 Trillion for First Time

September 19, 2023 | Alan Rappeport

The fiscal milestone comes as Congress is facing a new spending fight with a government shutdown looming.
The statewide unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point to 2.6% in August
Production cuts made by OPEC and its allies have pushed crude oil to 10-month highs.
The average long-term US mortgage rate edged up

September 14, 2023 | Associated Press

The sharply higher rates now are contributing to a dearth of available homes, as homeowners who locked in those lower borrowing costs two years ago are now reluctant to sell….
Mayors say lack of housing is region’s top problem

September 14, 2023 | By Paul Leighton

PEABODY — A shortage of affordable housing continues to be the No. 1 problem on the North Shore, according to the seven mayors and one town manager who spoke Wednesday…
PEABODY — More than 200 of the region’s top business and government leaders gathered for the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s ‘State of the Region’ forum. Both Lynn Mayor Jared…
Employers and workers are expected to see an increase of about 6.5% or higher in the cost of their health plans next year.
A battle over the power to audit the Massachusetts Legislature could end up before voters in 2024 after Attorney General Andrea Campbell certified a ballot question Wednesday that would grant…
Big slate of possible ballot questions certified

September 6, 2023 | Colin A. Young

The road to the November 2024 ballot continues for the most closely-watched initiative petitions, dealing with the role of the MCAS test as a graduation requirement, the rights and benefits…