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Massachusetts Law Reform Institute to Honor Sue Finegan, Esq. of Mintz with 2025 Catalyst for Change Award

For Immediate Release

Media Contact
Madeline Graf,
mgraf@mlri.org , 617-357-0700 ext. 368

Boston, MA (May 7, 2025) – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is pleased to announce that Sue Finegan, Esq., Chair of the Pro Bono Committee at Mintz, will be honored with the prestigious Catalyst for Change Award on September 18th, 2025. The annual award recognizes exceptional leaders in the community who strive for economic, racial, and social justice for low-income people in Massachusetts.

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Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Announces Board Transitions

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Madeline Graf, mgraf@mlri.org, (617) 357-0700 ext. 368

BOSTON, MA (May 1, 2025) – The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is announcing changes to its Board of Trustees, marking both a fond farewell and a warm welcome to distinguished leaders in the legal and advocacy communities.

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New Massachusetts Eviction Record Sealing Law to go into Effect May 5, 2025

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Madeline Graf,
mgraf@mlri.org, 617-357-0700 ext. 368

Boston, MA (May 1, 2025) – Massachusetts tenants now have the right to seal their eviction records in certain types of cases, removing a significant barrier to housing access. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is excited to announce that the new eviction record sealing protections, passed as part of the Affordable Homes Act, are now in effect, providing eligible tenants with the chance for a clean slate as they search for a next place to live.

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SNAP Day of Action: Federal Proposals Threaten Food Access for Millions Across the Country, Including Massachusetts and Neighboring States

CONTACT:
Project Bread:
Allison Epstein, 203-915-8364 allison@teakmedia.com
MLRI: Madeline Graf, (857) 241-1745, mgraf@mlri.org

Advocates, food security organizations and partners across the Northeast rally to protect critical food benefits that support local economies and help families buy groceries.

[Massachusetts] — As Congress deliberates a budget reconciliation bill that would drastically cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, advocates across the Northeast —including Project Bread, Children’s HealthWatch, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, and others —have joined together to raise the alarm.

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Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) Statement Responding to Executive Order 14224

4/1/2025

On Saturday, March 1st 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14224 which designated English as the official language of the United States of America. Many have considered this action to be symbolic, but Executive Order 14224 should be understood as a first step in upending federal language access policy by rescinding Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute stands with all limited English proficient (LEP) people whose right to equal access to government services and benefits is being jeopardized by this change in federal language access policy.

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Shockingly high rents in state subsidized HDIP housing

The Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) subsidizes market rate and luxury projects in Gateway Cities. MLRI has published two extensive reports (Review of the Housing Development Incentive Program (“HDIP”) & Update on the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP): a subsidy for market rate housing) documenting the mostly inequitable results of the millions spent on HDIP. Thus far, HDIP has spent $146 million taxpayer dollars on housing targeted to smaller households with disposable income. And as the affordable housing crisis intensifies and federal cutbacks loom, the state may spend up to another $30 million every year to support only higher priced housing – no affordable units. HDIP owners can set rents at whatever the market will bear. In some Gateway Cities the rents, while mostly above market, are somewhat reasonable. But in others, HDIP rents in subsidized buildings are outrageously high as you can see from this sample. MLRI advocates to reform HDIP as a mixed income program – market rate and deeply affordable.

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Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) 2025-2026 Legislative Priorities

The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is pleased to present our priorities for the current legislative session.

We are leading, co-leading, or supporting several broad-based coalitions and working directly with community partners and fellow advocates from across the state to advance important priorities that address poverty and create a more just, fair and equitable Commonwealth for all.

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The Ongoing Fight for Labor Justice: Honoring Black History Month and Farmworker Rights

The Ongoing Fight for Labor Justice
Honoring Black History Month and Farmworker Rights

As we conclude Black History Month, it’s crucial to reflect on the ongoing struggle for labor justice and the deep-rooted legacy of racism that has shaped labor practices in our country. Throughout history, Black workers have been at the forefront of organizing for fair wages, better working conditions, and respect for all people. Today in Massachusetts and across the nation, this fight for justice continues, particularly in the agricultural sector where many workers are still denied basic labor protections.

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