FINANCE

Massachusetts cannabis regulators last week were led by Commissioner Bruce Stebbins as the commission's acting chair. At that meeting, they also identified a nearly $3 million budget shortfall for this year.

After running a no-interest loan program for years, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts said it is putting the program on hold while it re-evaluates how their loans affect student funding.

While the fee to get a trash permit in the city of Northampton, Massachusetts, increased by 66%, the cost of recycling for municipalities has been increasing for several years.

Dozens of Massachusetts school districts are being told, later than usual in the school budget process, more state funding is being put in the House budget due to a "data" issue that shows more low-income students in schools than initially counted.

Springfield's new Chief Administration and Financial Officer was sworn in Monday.

Massachusetts House and Senate Democrats failed to negotiate a compromise before their holiday break that would send hundreds of millions of dollars to the state's emergency shelters. The spending bill was presented to the Legislature in September.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days to review the tax relief package.

MassHealth on Friday holds a public hearing on a proposed regulation allowing doulas — who help expectant mothers advocate for themselves throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, as well as support them during the postpartum period — to enroll as approved providers.

The state Department of Transportation launched an online dashboard that will help officials track progress made toward climate goals.

Any claimants who file for unemployment benefits on or after July 2 will be affected by the Massachusetts law. Claimants who filed prior to July 2 can still receive up to 30 weeks of benefits.