THE MASS BRIEF

Friday, May 08, 2026

Good morning. Governor Healey wants e-bikes, mopeds, and scooters off sidewalks and out of bike lanes—and riders might actually be on board with that.

THE LEAD

Massachusetts is finally regulating the chaos on two wheels. After years of close calls, crashes, and confusion about where exactly you're allowed to zip around on an e-bike or moped, Governor Maura Healey filed the Ride Safe Act this week—a sweeping set of rules to bring order to the micromobility wild west.

Here's the big shift: instead of regulating by device type, the new framework regulates by speed. Higher-speed devices—think souped-up e-bikes and mopeds—would be banned from sidewalks and bike lanes entirely. Moped riders would need to be at least 16. Enforcement would actually happen. The proposal builds on recommendations from a statewide commission and comes after what Healey's office describes as "too much reckless behavior, more crashes and close calls, and too many people, especially pedestrians and young riders" getting hurt.

What's surprising? E-bike enthusiasts are largely welcoming the crackdown. Christopher Schmidt, a Boston resident who owns 30 e-bikes and runs a "lending library" to get more people riding, told the Globe he's "happy to see Massachusetts taking the bull by the horns." The measure reflects a broader tension: e-bikes have exploded in popularity as a joyful, low-sweat way to get around cities, but the lack of rules has created real safety problems. Now the state is trying to keep the magic while ditching the mayhem. Expect pushback from delivery workers and gig economy riders who depend on these devices—and watch to see if the Legislature actually moves this forward or lets it languish. Boston Globe →

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW

The student loan overhaul is about to hit Massachusetts families hard. Federal lending limits kick in this July, and they're brutal: graduate students can borrow only $200,000 total for law or med school and $100,000 for other degrees. Parents are capped at $20,000 per year, down from the full cost of attendance. The Plus loan program for grad students? Gone. According to Boston-based startup Clasp, students nationwide are facing a $6.85 billion shortfall between college costs and what they can now borrow. The Trump administration says the cuts will force schools to lower tuition and prevent defaults. But for families trying to figure out how to pay for next fall, it's a scramble. Private loans, already more expensive, are suddenly the only option for many. Boston Globe →

Commercial drivers who are immigrants are losing their licenses—and their jobs. The Trump administration's September rule revoking non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses for refugees, asylees, and those with temporary protected status is now being enforced by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. That means school bus drivers, MBTA operators, and delivery drivers with legal status are being told they can't renew their CDLs. "I've lost my driver license. I lost everything," one Boston Public Schools driver named Daniel told GBH. Roughly 200,000 immigrants with legal status hold CDLs nationwide. The rule didn't immediately terminate active licenses, but states are now blocking renewals. GBH News →

Ed Markey's lead over Seth Moulton is shrinking fast. A new Emerson College poll puts Markey ahead by just 5 points in the Democratic Senate primary—37% to 32%, with 29% undecided. Previous polls have shown Markey with double-digit leads. Markey is strong with registered Democrats, women, and younger voters. Moulton does better with unenrolled voters and men. But here's the catch: women and younger voters are more likely to be undecided, meaning Markey's edge isn't as solid as it looks. The Moulton campaign is celebrating and pivoting to the general election. Markey's team will need to shore up support fast. GBH News →

Massachusetts just handed out tax breaks to an industry people are starting to hate. After 18 months of work, the state finalized a sales tax exemption for data centers on Thursday. Qualified facilities—at least 100,000 square feet, 100 jobs, $50 million invested—won't pay the 6.25% sales tax for 20 years on equipment, software, electricity, or construction. The timing is awkward: Lowell residents just sued state regulators over approvals for a large data center there last week, and the city enacted the state's first data center moratorium in March. The AI industry's resource demands are fueling backlash nationwide. Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley says he's aware of the concerns and that centers must "internalize the overall externalities, particularly around electricity, but water, too." Translation: this fight is just getting started. CommonWealth Beacon →

The fight over auditing the Legislature just got a 30-day deadline. The Supreme Judicial Court ordered Attorney General Andrea Campbell to decide within 30 days whether she'll represent Auditor Diana DiZoglio in her lawsuit to force lawmakers to comply with an audit. During arguments Wednesday, justices made clear they're tired of watching DiZoglio, Campbell, and legislative leaders battle each other "to exhaustion." Justice Scott Kafker: "People have an interest in having that resolved, and this court ultimately decides whether that's constitutional." Nearly 72% of voters approved a 2024 ballot question giving DiZoglio the authority to audit the Legislature. Lawmakers say it violates separation of powers. Campbell says she needs more information before picking a side. Now she has a month to figure it out. Boston Globe →

A wrong-way crash on Route 1 killed a state trooper trying to save lives. Trooper Kevin Trainor, 30, died Wednesday morning when a Jeep traveling the wrong way on Route 1 in Lynnfield slammed into his unmarked SUV. The driver, 50-year-old Hernan Marrero, also died. Trainor's shift had just ended when the 911 call came in about a southbound driver on the northbound side. State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said Trainor's actions saved other drivers. On Thursday, Trainor's fiancée Jessica laid flowers on his cruiser at the Danvers barracks. Hundreds lined the streets Thursday night for his dignified transfer from Boston to a Peabody funeral home. He leaves behind his fiancée, his mother Barbara, a sister, and three brothers. WBZ / CBS Boston →

WORTH YOUR ATTENTION

Ballot question mayhem continues: Massachusetts could see a record-breaking 11 ballot questions this November. The SJC heard challenges to four measures this week and already blocked a legislative stipend reform measure after ruling it unconstitutional. Campaigns now face a July deadline to collect additional signatures. CommonWealth Beacon →

The GOP primary pressure campaign: Mike Minogue won the Republican Party's endorsement for governor and is now running ads attacking Maura Healey while his supporters openly urge rival Brian Shortsleeve to drop out before the September 1 primary. Shortsleeve is not budging. Boston Globe →

Blue Line chaos: A man who decided to walk through the harbor tunnel forced a complete Blue Line shutdown Wednesday evening. Transit Police had to tase him after he refused to cooperate. He made it more than halfway under the harbor before they caught up to him. Universal Hub →

Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

Full hearing schedule →

Recent filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance:

Candidates

• James Seibel — House, 35th Middlesex — Filed: 5/4/2026

Change of Purposes

• Charles Delaney — City Councilor, Boston → House, 4th Suffolk — Filed: 5/7/2026

OCPF →

ONE MORE THING

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