Federal State Relations


DOJ Sues Boston and Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 Over Sanctuary City Policy

The lawsuit targets a city policy, the Boston Trust Act, which prohibits police from working with ICE on civil immigration enforcement efforts, including prohibiting police officers from asking immigration status, sharing information with ICE, or “performing the functions of an immigration officer.”


How Cambridge Is Fighting the Trump Administration in Court

The city of Cambridge has joined two lawsuits against the Trump administration’s attempts to condition federal grants on cooperation with immigration agents and the repeal of DEI efforts.


California Governor Gavin Newsom Calls for Garber’s Resignation Over Potential Trump Deal

California Governor Gavin C. Newsom wrote on social media on Tuesdya that Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 should resign over reports that the University was nearing a deal with the Trump administration.


Trump Administration To Investigate Harvard’s Patents

The Trump administration on Friday launched an investigation into Harvard’s patents derived from federally funded research, threatening intellectual property potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars.


Harvard Spends Record-High $270,000 on Lobbying in Second Quarter of 2025

Harvard spent $270,000 lobbying the federal government between April and June as it ramped up efforts to counter mounting political and financial pressures from Washington, according to disclosures filed last month.


Harvard Pays $90K to Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm in Second Quarter of 2025

Harvard paid lobbying firm Ballard Partners $90,000 in the second quarter of 2025 as the University broadened its federal advocacy to include direct engagement with the White House, according to a disclosure filed Tuesday.


Federal Funding for the Allston I-90 is in Danger. Faster Progress Might Have Saved It.

A crucial chunk of funding for the decade-in-the-making realignment of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Allston is under threat following the passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which eliminates the source of a $335 million grant to the project.


‘Big Ugly Bill’: Mass. Officials Condemn Republican Megabill Ahead of Trump’s Signing

As Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” makes its way to President Donald Trump’s desk, Massachusetts officials condemned it as cruel and said it would hike costs for the state.


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.


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