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.

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

Laura's Law Passed

Yesterday the Senate passed the first substantive policy bill taken up since July.
We call the bill Laura's Law to honor Laura Levis, whose tragic death in 2016 has led her husband, Peter DeMarco, to campaign tirelessly for safety for everyone trying to go to an emergency room.

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.

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!

Reform, Shift, Build

On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Reform, Shift + Build Act to enact reforms to raise police accountability standards, shift resources to communities and build equity, justice and fairness. We started debate on the previous Thursday. It was tabled till the next day three times, and the Monday session lasted until 4:30 Tuesday morning as we debated 145 amendments.