Taylor C. Shepherd
Vice President of Government Relations
+1.617.348.1639
Taylor is a seasoned public policy professional with a proven track record of success in legislative and regulatory lobbying, strategy, and relationship building. With roots in the Massachusetts State House, Taylor's journey to ML Strategies has been marked by a commitment to detail, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the nuances of the policymaking process. Having served as a Fiscal Policy Analyst at the House Committee on Ways and Means and a Budget Analyst at the Department of Mental Health, Taylor possesses a comprehensive understanding of governmental processes, particularly in the realms of budgetary appropriations and healthcare policy. In her latest role, Taylor has assumed a leadership position within the ML Strategies Energy Practice, where she is recognized for her proficiency in climate and energy issues. As the firm's primary liaison for internal and external energy matters, Taylor is poised to guide clients through the evolving landscape of clean energy policy. With an unwavering dedication and a unique ability to anticipate legislative trends, Taylor stands ready to empower clients to achieve their objectives and advocate effectively on their behalf.
Education
- Salve Regina University (BA, cum laude)
Involvement
- Board of Directors, Metro Housing Boston
- Advisory Board Member, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce City Awake Advisory Board
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
News & Press
ML Strategies announced the promotion of Taylor Shepherd to Vice President of Government Relations and Anthony DeMaio to Senior Vice President.
Viewpoints
As part of the Healey–Driscoll administration’s continued efforts to ensure Massachusetts remains a state where people want to live, work, and raise families — and businesses want to start and operate companies — the administration announced the proposed Mass Leads Act earlier today. The proposed law calls for investments of $1 billion each in the life sciences and climate tech industries over a 10-year period, with the latter category of funding providing critically important support to the administration’s goal of making Massachusetts the global leader in climate tech and clean energy development.
This issue of Hill to Hill covers the continuing risk of a federal government shutdown despite the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement, the ongoing rollout of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, developments related to the Massachusetts state FY2024 budget and a pending tax relief package, recent ML Strategies events, and more.
This issue of Hill to Hill covers the budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, developments related to the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health and the CHIPS and Science Act, the start of the new Massachusetts legislative session and proposals filed by the Healey-Driscoll administration, and recent ML Strategies events.
Major Update in Data Privacy Laws Proposed in Massachusetts
February 3, 2022|
On February 2, 2022, the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity released a new draft of a bill designed to provide mechanisms for how personal information is used and to control how companies use such information. This 65-page bill, known as the “Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act” or “MIPSA”, would be the first major piece of legislation related to data privacy passed since the Legislature updated the data breach legislation in 2019.
Governor Baker Releases Eighth Budget Recommendation
January 26, 2022|
Today, Governor Charlie Baker released his Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) budget recommendations. This is the unofficial start of “budget season” in Massachusetts that will culminate with a legislative conference committee agreeing on a budget bill sometime around late June or early July.
Proposed Laws Are One Step Closer to the November 2022 Ballot
September 3, 2021|
On Wednesday, September 1st, Attorney General Maura Healey certified 17 out of 30 ballot proposals filed in August to continue on the path to securing a spot on the 2022 ballot. Of the 17 proposals certified, 16 were initiative petitions including, but not limited to, proposals relative to alcohol reforms, requirements for presentation of identification to vote, and the employment of app-based drivers. The seventeenth proposal is a constitutional amendment providing for no-excuse absentee voting.
Those seeking to amend Massachusetts law or the Massachusetts Constitution through the state’s unique ballot initiative process had until Wednesday, August 4, 2021 to file their proposals with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. By the time the deadline was reached, 30 proposals were filed.
How Will Dollars From the Federal American Rescue Plan Reach Local Businesses in Massachusetts?
March 26, 2021|
Congress has passed another coronavirus relief package, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which allocates significant funding to states to address shortfalls experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these dollars are specifically allocated – in other words, they are already earmarked for funding particular, specific public sectors like transportation or for private uses like the hard hit restaurant and hospitality industry.
Only a handful of states have sought to tax digital advertising, and the path forward is murky at best due to practical considerations, federal preemption and constitutional questions. However, there are at least 4 bills filed for the 2021-2022 legislative session in Massachusetts that would implement a tax on a company that advertises on a digital platform.
Governor Baker Releases FY2022 Budget Bill
January 28, 2021|
During his annual State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Charlie Baker highlighted the heroic work of frontline workers and first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while reminding the Commonwealth that though we are close, we are not out of the dark quite yet. Gov. Baker’s FY2022 (“H1”) budget recommendations support that perspective and indicates the state is still feeling the economic impacts of the pandemic.
News & Press
ML Strategies announced the promotion of Taylor Shepherd to Vice President of Government Relations and Anthony DeMaio to Senior Vice President.