Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) announced today that House Speaker Ron Mariano has appointed her to serve as the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Ferrante will work closely with Chairman Aaron Michlewitz in crafting the $45 billion FY2022 state budget. “I am honored to join Chairman Michlewitz as we work to…
Today, the Commonwealth announced an expansion of COVID-19 vaccination sites in all parts of the Commonwealth, including new mass vaccination sites, pharmacy locations, and local sites. By mid-February, it is anticipated that there will be 165 vaccination sites in the Massachusetts. The Commonwealth also announced updates to plans for Phase Two of the Commonwealth’s distribution…
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is coming to Cape Ann! Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Pathways for Children, and the First R Foundation announced today that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will be providing one engaging, high-quality book a month to children of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester from birth…
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday,…
Cape Ann’s First R Foundation, a grass-roots literacy initiative, is working to ensure the power of words will not be lost on youngsters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, now in its 18th year, has pivoted to ensure that books get into the hands of youngsters and that the children see that community members and…
This week, the Commonwealth announced the extension of further restrictions and new hospital guidance to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Industry restrictions for capacity limits and reduced gathering limits went into effect on Saturday, December 26th, and will now be extended for at least two more weeks to January 24th. Industry Restrictions & Gathering Limits…
Yesterday, I voted with my colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass landmark climate legislation that overhauls the state’s climate laws, drives down greenhouse gas emissions, creates clean energy jobs, and protects environmental justice communities. The bill, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy (S.2995), sets a 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions…
Last week, the Commonwealth announced a $668 million small business relief package to be administered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). This package provides additional funding for the existing small business relief program which originally launched in October and additional funding for businesses that fall into specific industry sectors. Existing Small Business Grant Program MGCC…
Today, the Commonwealth launched a $668 million program to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program in part relies on the pending federal COVID-19 relief bill recently passed by Congress. Regardless of the developments at the federal level, the Commonwealth will start releasing millions in new funding to…
Today, Governor Baker announced further restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, including new capacity and gathering limits. These measures will go into effect on Saturday, December 26 and will remain in effect until noon on January 10, 2021. Please see below for a summary of today’s announcement; you can find…
