As the Commonwealth moves into Phase III of the reopening plan, businesses should take care to stay in compliance with the Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces. These standards apply universally to all reopening workplaces, and are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers during the first phase of reopening, and…
Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that expands voter access and ensures voters have safe and secure voting options for all remaining 2020 elections, including the September 1, 2020 state primary and November 3, 2020 general election, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation was signed by Governor Baker…
Today, Governor Baker announced that on July 6, Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin and updates on gatherings will be in effect. For the City of Boston, Phase III and the gatherings order will take effect on Monday, July 13. The Department of Public Health (DPH) also issued updated guidance to mitigate the…
Today, households facing difficulty making housing payments may apply to access a new $20 million, statewide rent and mortgage assistance fund. The Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program will provide direct funding to eligible households who have suffered financial hardship during the State of Emergency put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. ERMA will…
Last week, I voted with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass a supplemental budget to facilitate federal CARES Act funding to reimburse communities hard-hit by COVID-19. This bill follows the April passage in Congress of the Federal CARES Act, which requires states to expend funds on items related to COVID-19 for federal…
Today, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released initial guidance for school reopening this fall that prioritizes getting students safely back to school in person, following a comprehensive set of health and safety requirements. The Department is also requiring schools to create hybrid learning plans to teach students in-person and remotely on alternating schedules, and…
Gloucester resident Mary Jane McGlennon was honored Wednesday as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2020 class of Commonwealth Heroines. “Mary Jane McGlennon embodies the spirit of this award,” said state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, who has observed McGlennon work tirelessly on behalf of Cape Ann’s most vulnerable residents. Ferrante recommended…
Today, Governor Baker announced that Step Two of Phase II of the Commonwealth’s four-phase reopening plan, Reopening Massachusetts, will begin on Monday, June 22 to allow additional industries to resume operations under sector-specific guidelines. Businesses and sectors set to begin operating in Step Two of Phase II are subject to compliance with all mandatory safety…
Mary Jane McGlennon of Gloucester will be honored as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2020 class of Commonwealth Heroines. State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) recommended McGlennon for this recognition because of her tireless work on behalf of Cape Ann’s most vulnerable residents. “Mary Jane McGlennon embodies the spirit of…
Over the past few weeks, we have seen and heard voices calling for action to address and end police brutality, racial inequality, and inherent bias across our society. The peaceful demonstrations we have seen locally, some of the largest I have seen as a lifelong resident of Cape Ann, show how deeply our communities care about…
