Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
From the Beacon, February 2025
Last week, at Connect 351, more than 1,400 of us were able to come together and collectively rally around the importance of local government and the critical services that it provides. This convening could not have happened at a better time, as we now face myriad challenges to local government, particularly from a series of executive actions from the Trump administration.
I left the conference feeling buoyed by the energy for local government that you all brought to the event, and I hope that you left with a sense of reinvigoration for public service, along with the comfort and confidence of knowing that the MMA is here to support and advocate for you and the work that you do.
For this column, I want to start with gratitude. I am so thankful to all of you, our members, who came to Connect 351 from all corners of the Commonwealth to learn, network and connect. Additionally, I am filled with gratitude for the amazing staff at the MMA that worked tirelessly to make the event a success.
Further, I am grateful to our inspiring keynote speakers, the state and federal leaders who took time to speak with you about their plans and policies, our talented workshop panelists and presenters, our sponsors and Trade Show exhibitors, and the several event production teams who worked alongside us.
At Connect 351, you heard me and others talk about the important work that you all do at the municipal level. You also heard me talk about how the power of the MMA stems from all of you.
As you are aware, both the work that you do and our efforts on your behalf were rapidly put to the test this week by a federal executive action that threatened to freeze a broad array of federal funds that support critical local government services. The action created stress and uncertainty across many sectors, but there was an acute sense of distress at the local level, as municipal services are on the front line, and any interruption of funding or services would have an immediate impact on your communities and residents.
In response to this distress, we quickly mobilized. We engaged with our partner, the National League of Cities, and connected with our federal legislative delegation and state officials. We have shared information with you as it has become available, and will continue to do so in the days and weeks ahead.
As I am writing this, there is still a high degree of uncertainty about what may happen next, but we remain engaged with a coalition of partners and remain committed to communicating with you as more information becomes available.
As we do this work, we also need your help. Advocating for the critical services that are supported by federal funding means that we need to be able to communicate the real, tangible impacts of any funding freeze. To that end, we need you to keep us informed of grant meetings that are cancelled, contracts that are not renewed, and disbursement requests that are denied. Additionally, we will be working with all of you to both quantify and qualify the very real impacts that would be felt if various federal funding sources were taken away.
As we move forward, know that we are here, working and advocating for you. Our commitment to you is this: We will keep you informed, advocate on your behalf, and ensure that the voice of cities and towns in Massachusetts is heard loud and clear.