Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced today that all Massachusetts residents ages 5-11 are eligible to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 booster. The booster should be administered at least five months after completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccine series to provide continued protection against COVID-19.…
Today, the Commonwealth announced a new $75 million grant program to support Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program is part of the plan to spend $4 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that was passed by the House of Representatives in December 2021. The new program is modeled after Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s (MGCC)…
Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to unanimously pass its spending proposal utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funds. Funded at $3.82 billion, the bill addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to facilitate recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment…
Low-income workers who toiled in hospitals, grocery stores and other frontline businesses during the pandemic could be getting cash bonuses under a legislative plan to spend billions of dollars in federal relief and surplus funds. The plan, rolled out by House Democrats on Monday, calls for spending $3.65 billion to make “once-in-a-generation” investments in housing,…
Today, the House Committee on Ways and Means announced a $3.65 billion piece of legislation to invest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and surplus funds in key sectors of the Commonwealth. I was glad to join Speaker Ron Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Chair Dan Hunt, and Chair Bud Williams today to outline the investments the…
Today, the Commonwealth announced that Massachusetts is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June. All remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29 and Governor Charlie Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15. The Commonwealth’s current face covering order will also…
Today, the Commonwealth announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase IV, Step 2 industries effective May 10th and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29th and August 1st. Phase IV, Step 2 Industries and Gathering Changes On March 22, Massachusetts loosened capacity restrictions and advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV…
Starting today, residents 55+ and residents with one certain medical condition become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, Massachusetts is adopting the CDC’s updated list of medical conditions. This week, the CDC added more medical conditions that are linked to an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Massachusetts will adopt this guidance and make individuals…
This week, Massachusetts advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. The Commonwealth continues to take steps to reopen Massachusetts’ economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in average daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts also continues to be a national leader in…
Today, the Commonwealth announced the timeline for all remaining residents to be eligible for a vaccine and provided an update on doses that are being received and distributed. Vaccine Eligibility Timeline Today, the Commonwealth announced the dates that all remaining residents and certain worker groups will be eligible for a vaccine. The detailed timeline adheres…
