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Bill

S 2147

An Act to establish a November holiday honoring President John F. Kennedy, to promote increased voter participation and civic engagement

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Massachusetts bill creates November holiday honoring JFK to boost voter participation and civic engagement statewide.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2147

Legislative bill overview

S 2147 proposes establishing a new November state holiday in Massachusetts to honor President John F. Kennedy, a Massachusetts native. The bill explicitly links this commemorative holiday to objectives of increasing voter registration, participation, and civic engagement among residents.

Why is this important

Creating a state holiday has direct budget implications, as it typically mandates paid time off for public employees and affects school schedules. The bill's dual purpose—honoring a historical figure while using the holiday as a vehicle for civic participation—represents an attempt to tie ceremonial recognition to measurable policy outcomes around democracy and voting.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation: Adding a paid state holiday increases payroll expenses for government agencies and schools; fiscal impact analysis would clarify the financial burden
  • Specificity of civic engagement goals: The bill's language about "promoting" voter participation and civic engagement is vague and may lack enforcement mechanisms or measurable benchmarks to assess whether the holiday actually achieves these objectives
  • November scheduling conflicts: Massachusetts already observes Veterans Day (November 11) and Thanksgiving; clustering multiple November observances may complicate workforce planning and school calendars
  • Historical selectivity: Questions may arise about why JFK specifically merits a state holiday versus other significant Massachusetts figures or national observances

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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