We started the Lit Drop, promising to bring you nuanced insights into what is moving the needle across New England and on Capitol Hill. While all eyes will be on the presidential debate stage this evening, it's crucial to stay attuned to local issues and public affairs topics that resonate with our community. We hope you continue reading as we delve into Castle’s creative approach to public affairs and what organizations can do now to reflect and strategize after the 2023-2024 Massachusetts legislative session.
REFLECTIONS FROM SANDY LISH
My first PR job was at the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA). Back then, my least favorite task (even worse than mail merges) was trudging from West Street up the hill to the State House, where I had to find the press room and distribute our press releases, by hand, to the older, male reporters spread across the room. Literally. By hand. Then I’d do my version of the “Lit Drop,” stuffing releases into the cubby holes for the journos and legislators who’d come to pick them up. I was so intimidated. And it seemed like such drudgery. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Yes, this was how the MBA’s positions, advocacy, and breaking news reached the media, legislators, and through them, their stakeholders. It was my first taste of public affairs. But I still didn’t think of myself as a public affairs practitioner: I was a PR person. Read more of Sandy's reflections and Castle’s creative approach to public affairs.
UNDER THE DOME
What Comes Next? The Unfinished Business of Massachusetts’ 2023-24 Legislative Session
While it’s easy to get swept up in national storylines and policy proposals, we must not lose sight of what’s happening—or not happening—in our own backyards and ensure that we’re still reaching the constituencies that matter most to your organizations’ objectives.
At midnight on August 1, the formal 2023-2024 Massachusetts legislative session ended with mixed results. Whether celebrating a win or regrouping on next steps, this is not a time for complacency, but rather an opportunity for organizations to reflect and strategize. By maintaining momentum and continuing to build coalitions, advocates can ensure that they are well-positioned to push for meaningful change when the next legislative session begins.
Read the full blog for a snapshot of bills that were passed and those that did not reach the Governor’s desk.
Home Rule Petition Updates & Castle at Fierce Urgency of Now
In the last issue of the Lit Drop, we explained what a Home Rule Petition is, and highlighted the pathway and potential impacts of Boston’s Property Tax petition. While the House approved the proposal, the Senate had little appetite. We will continue to monitor the debate around the issue.
Join us! Castle’s Mission to Motion series returns to this year’s Fierce Urgency of Now event on Tuesday, September 17. Sandy Lish, alongside Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries Ph.D., CEO of Embrace Boston, and Robert Lewis Jr., CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, will delve into the transformative power of allyship and how it extends beyond the realm of DEI, fostering growth in all aspects of life.
