When the federal government shut down at 12:01am this morning, it immediately affected over 25,000 federal workers across Massachusetts and threatens over $15 billion in federal funding.

Why it matters: The Bay State's $61 billion fiscal 2026 budget relies heavily on federal reimbursements, mostly for expensive health care programs.

• State officials say there's no additional funding to cover federal shortfalls.

State of play: Massachusetts officials delivered an impact assessment to the comptroller's office yesterday, outlining payroll concerns for federally funded employees and risks to some critical programs.

What's closed: The Bunker Hill Monument and JFK Library are shuttered.

• Federal park rangers are furloughed, but local workers may help out with maintenance like they did during the 2019 shutdown.
• TSA agents and air traffic controllers remain at Logan Airport working without pay, for now.

More on the shutdown

Deehan here, back with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.

Massachusetts is the second-most-vaccinated state in the country, but there's still a burgeoning anti-vax movement here that's pushing Beacon Hill lawmakers to loosen standards and mandates.

Why it matters: Activists echoing some of Trump administration Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s debunked claims about vaccines have found some support in state government.

• Hosted by Republican lawmakers, they held a State House rally last week to urge for more parental choice when it comes to what vaccines Massachusetts children receive.

Driving the news: The groups Health Rights MA and Children's Health Defense organized the event at the State House, notably in the building's Nurses Hall that's dedicated to battlefield lifesavers.

• They came to challenge the state's mandatory immunization requirements alongside families who say they've experienced adverse reactions to vaccines.

Merchandise tables at the event sold books about Big Pharma and Anthony Fauci and volumes by and about RFK Jr.

• A children's book titled "I'm Unvaccinated and That's OK!" by Shannon Kroner was on display.

The groups want to establish religious and personal exemptions for all vaccine mandates beyond the current limited list of shots.

• They're also asking lawmakers to limit the governor's emergency health powers, like those exercised by former Gov. Charlie Baker to shut down schools, enforce curfews and close public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What they're saying: "Public health policies meant to help are in fact hurting people, and it's time to course-correct," Julie Booras of Health Rights MA told WWLP at the event.

• The "Faces of Vaccine Injury" event came soon after the Healey-Driscoll administration doubled down on maintaining robust vaccine access in the state despite potential federal policy shifts.

The big picture: Massachusetts finds itself at odds with federal recommendations as the Kennedy-led Centers for Disease Control suggests reduced COVID-19 vaccine availability.

The other side: State health officials maintain the evidence-based approach to vaccinations is still the most scientifically sound.

What's next: Healey has pledged continued vaccine access regardless of federal recommendations, setting up the potential for more state-federal conflicts.

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⚾ The New York Yankees implemented geographic restrictions on Wild Card playoff ticket sales to block residents of most of New England from purchasing directly through Ticketmaster. (CBS Boston)

• Sales are restricted to residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

🍔 Lawmakers are pondering statewide health regulations for food trucks, which currently need permits from each municipality they operate in. (Boston Business Journal)

• One food truck owner said he spent over $17,000 on health permits over five years for various jurisdictions.

🏛️ Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria received an additional $31,000 cost-of-living adjustment in 2023 — on top of a previously known $180,000 overpayment between 2016 and 2021, according to a new independent audit of what the hell is going on in Everett. (WCVB)

🎓 Former Trump national security advisor John Bolton defended his 2020 memoir at a Harvard Kennedy School event amid a federal investigation into potential mishandling of classified information. (The Harvard Crimson)

🏗️ A big seven-story, 165-unit residential building is being proposed to replace a century-old industrial site on Washington Street near Forest Hills.

• The developer hasn't decided between rental apartments or condos.

🚗 Salem eliminated parking minimums for most new multifamily housing and allowed builders to determine parking needs rather than mandated requirements.

• A Metropolitan Area Planning Council survey found 38% of parking spaces at Salem's multifamily developments were vacant overnight.

🏘️ Lexington has permitted over 1,100 new housing units in two years despite implementing strict fossil fuel-free building requirements.

• The ritzy town's move is challenging assumptions that green building policies slow development.

💼 BXP and Delaware North refinanced the Hub on Causeway development for $465 million with a five-and-a-half-year loan.

🏢 Lab space landlord BioMed Realty sued lab tenant SmartLabs for $2.7 million in unpaid rent at its Cambridge Sidney Research Campus where SmartLabs has a 52,000-square-foot lease through 2029. (Boston Business Journal)

• SmartLabs was previously evicted from a San Francisco location after falling more than $24 million behind on payments.

Prices to attend a Major League Baseball wild card game are up 9% from this time last year, according to data from SeatGeek.

Why it matters: The ticket vendor attributes increased demand to two iconic franchises, the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, which are each in the postseason for the first time in years.

• SeatGeek says the surge in demand in the AL series is likely driven by Boston's first postseason appearance since 2021, combined with the historic Red Sox–Yankees rivalry.
• Attending a game during the American League Wild Card series ($222) will cost slightly more on average than the National League's series ($198).