This has been a stressful year for all of us, including students, their families, and educators. They have faced daunting challenges, most learning on-line for the first time. As many of them prepare to return to school in person full-time, and others prepare for changes in their remote learning, many of them question why they should precious remaining class time taking days of standardized tests.
Unemployment Insurance, Emergency Paid Sick Leave, and MBTA Service Cuts
Gov. Baker's cuts to MBTA service were based on temporary drops in ridership, though we still saw photos of crowded trains. Cutting T service endangers public health, and disproportionately affect Black, brown and Latinx communities and all those who rely one public transit. It would prevent public transit recovery, drive up traffic, and stall efforts to combat climate change. All to save only $21 million in the short run. He ignored almost $2 billion in federal emergency funding to the T this year.
Vaccination Frustration Jan 31, 2021
On Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that people over 75 years old would be eligible for COVID vaccinations beginning February 1.
On Tuesday, Baker announced, in his State of the Commonwealth address, a website where they could sign up, beginning Wednesday.
On Wednesday at 12:01 a.m., within hours of the announcement, seniors tried to sign up on the website. Others tried after reading their morning news.
Within hours of the launch, legislators and reporters heard from angry people that the site simply didn't work.
Finally a Budget
Evictions and Foreclosures
Lost Wages Assistance Expansion Passed
A week ago, I filed a bill with Sen. Lesser, and Reps. Hay, Sabadosa, Nguyen and Mark. The bill will make it possible for 17,000 low-income Massachusetts residents to receive 6 weeks of an added $300/week in unemployment benefits. On Monday, the House and Senate acted quickly to pass the bill, and the governor signed it this evening. This is among the fastest legislative actions I've ever seen.
Laura's Law Passed
Press Release: Legislators Unveil Legislation to Enhance Unemployment Benefits of Poorest 17,000 Recipients
BOSTON – Senators Jehlen and Lesser, Representatives Hay, Sabadosa, Nguyen, and Mark announced legislation today that would enhance unemployment benefits for 17,000 people in Massachusetts by as much as $1800 each. Thousands of people were left out of the Lost Wages Assistance Grant to extend $300 weekly payment boosts to people collecting unemployment benefits by a restrictive Trump Administration rule.
Evictions and Foreclosures Surge
Letter to Secretary Turco on Medical Parole Regulations
Letter to the Education Committee on MCAS
On Monday, I wrote a letter to the Joint Committee on Education regarding S.2814, An Act responding to the COVID-19 emergency by instituting a moratorium of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. The moratorium would pause use of MCAS as a graduation requirement and a part of school assessments, and respond to both the disruption of schooling due to the pandemic and to the demand for eliminating structures that reflect and promote racial injustice.
Important Info on Pandemic Unemployment Insurance
This week we received really good news: the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has finally put out new instructions for claimants certifying their identity. Details below. The good news is that, if you are finally approved, you will get all your back benefits including the $600/week supplement from the federal government that expires this week. Please make sure you act within five days after receiving the notice!