Federal State Relations
16 States File Amicus Brief Backing Trump Admin Against Harvard’s Federal Funding Lawsuit
A group of 16 Republican-led states asked to file an amicus brief on Sunday in support of the Trump administration against Harvard’s lawsuit over its effort to strip billions of dollars of its federal funding.
20 States Say Federal Research Funding Is Essential in Amicus Brief Supporting Harvard’s Lawsuit
Massachusetts joined a group of 20 states filing an amicus brief on Monday in support of Harvard’s lawsuit against the Trump administration’s funding freeze, calling it a “punitive and unlawful” move that “poses an unprecedented threat to the university.”
Former HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell ’87 To Lead Harvard Board of Overseers
Sylvia M. Burwell ’87 — a former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services — will serve as the next president of Harvard’s Board of Overseers, the University announced Thursday morning.
Massachusetts Attorney General Files Amicus Brief in Support of Harvard International Students
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell voiced her support for Harvard in an amicus brief filed Wednesday, denouncing the Trump administration’s attempts to revoke the University’s ability to enroll international students.
Massachusetts Attorney General Files Amicus Brief Calling for Release of HMS Researcher
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell filed an amicus brief in support of Harvard Medical School researcher Kseniia Petrova, calling for her immediate release from a Louisiana detention facility.
Amid Uncertainties for Boston PILOT, Harvard Fails To Fulfill Payment for 13th Year
Harvard failed to fully make its requested Payment in Lieu of Taxes payment for the 13th year in a row last year, according to City of Boston data released last week.
After Communication Breakdown, Task Force on Antisemitism Will Not Meet With Boston This Week
Officials from the Department of Justice task force on antisemitism were set to meet with Boston city leadership on Wednesday, but without communication from Washington, a city official confirmed that the meeting is no longer scheduled for this week.
‘Authoritarianism’: Mass. Lawmakers Condemn Harvard Funding Review
Top Massachusetts lawmakers showed outrage and gave dire warnings in response to Monday’s announcement that three federal agencies are reviewing more than $8 billion in Harvard’s federal funding.
Trump’s Order to Shutter Education Department Ushers in Period of Uncertainty for Universities
After firing half of the Education Department’s personnel, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to close the Education Department – the latest blow to higher education.
City Council Names Cambridge a Sanctuary City for Transgender and Nonbinary People
The Cambridge City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring Cambridge a sanctuary city for transgender and nonbinary individuals in their Monday meeting.
‘Federal Funding Cliff’: Cambridge Prepares for Possible Cuts
The City of Cambridge receives $23 million in federal funding — with millions more going to independent programs like the Cambridge Housing Authority and Cambridge Health Alliance.
Vice Mayor Says Federal Funding Cuts May Pose Long-Term Challenges for CPS Budget
Vice Mayor Marc C. McGovern warned that the budgeting process for Cambridge Public Schools could be more difficult with recent threats to federal funding at a joint roundtable between the CPS School Committee and Cambridge City Council.
‘We Are Here to Fight Back’: Massachusetts Legislators Decry DOGE Access to Treasury
Massachusetts politicians on Tuesday blasted Elon Musk’s moves to slash federal government spending while serving as an unelected official in Donald Trump’s administration.
Cambridge State Rep Says State Legislature Will Work to Protect Residents under Trump
The Massachusetts state legislature is preparing to use its power to protect residents while looking to the state Attorney General as the “first line of defense” against executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in his first week of office, state representative Marjorie C. Decker said in an interview Thursday.
Healey Admin Seizes St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, CEO Resigns
Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey ’92 announced in a press release Friday that the state had officially seized St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center by eminent domain, putting an end to the Brighton hospital’s tumultuous, decade-long stint under for-profit owner Steward Healthcare.
At Memorial for John Corcoran, Cyclists Grieve and Demand Action
Nearly 100 cyclists and pedestrians gathered at the site of last Monday’s fatal bicycle crash to mourn the loss of John H. Corcoran ’84 — and express their frustration at the lack of road safety measures in the area.
Council Endorses Bill Allowing Cities to Require Payments From Large Nonprofits, Including Harvard
The Cambridge City Council voted on Tuesday to endorse a state bill that would allow the city to require large institutions like Harvard to pay 25 percent of their assessed property value through Payment in Lieu of Taxes payments.
Federal Government Grants $335 Million for Mass. Turnpike Realignment
The federal government granted Massachusetts $335 million to partially fund the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project, state leaders announced on Monday.
Harvard Native American Program Director Picked to Chair National Endowment for the Humanities
President Joe Biden nominated Harvard University Native American Program Executive Director Shelly C. Lowe to serve as the 12th chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities on Tuesday.
Harvard Nets Nearly $9 Million in Coronavirus Aid from Federal CARES Act
Harvard University will receive nearly $9 million in aid from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Department of Education announced last week.
Mass. Candidate Pressley Talks Warren, Sexual Assault at Media Roundtable
Pressley said rhetoric surrounding Massachusetts Senator Warren’s Native American ancestry deflects attention from more important conversations.
Faust Continues Advocacy on Immigration, Higher Ed Act
Amid turmoil in Washington over immigration reform, Harvard administrators are pushing for legislation securing legal protections for undocumented students and staff.
Federal Marijuana Crackdown Could Disrupt Budding Industry
Session’s decision comes just days after the first-ever medical marijuana dispensary opened in Harvard Square.
Faust Opposes Military Transgender Ban in Letter to Mattis
University President Drew G. Faust wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis last week urging him to allow transgender individuals to serve in the military.
Panel Discusses 'Moral Outrage' of Mass Incarceration
“There is no more glaring threat to human rights or testing of democracy than our current punishment crisis," a Graduate School of Education professor said.