Tag: Massachusetts

Senate passes $200 million for transportation, budget

Last week, Senator DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Senate, passed legislation to invest in municipal transportation projects and extend the Fiscal and Management Control Board. Thursday’s action also included the passage of an interim or 1/12 budget to ensure essential services continue to receive adequate funding. This 1/12th budget was signed into law by the governor Friday June 26, 2020.

“This investment in municipal transportation is a win-win: by funding shovel-ready improvement projects now, we can kick start our economy, all while moving forward with the development of a safe and equitable transit system for decades to come,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. The transportation infrastructure bill, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, authorizes $200 million in municipal roads and bridges funding, and includes $641,000 for the City of Everett. The legislation also renews leadership for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) by extending the Fiscal and Management Control Board for another year and maintaining the Board’s current authority.

Continue reading Senate passes $200 million for transportation, budget

Thank the Lord we live in Massachusetts

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito have carefully maneuvered Massachusetts away from the collapse of our state health hospital and health system by giving exceptional gravitas to the fight against the Corona- virus.

As of this week, only four states in the nation, are as well off as Massachusetts is in statistical Coronavirus categories – new cases are dropping, new hospitalizations are dropping, deaths are dropping while testing has increased dramatically.

The meticulous and very carefully and planned reopening of the economy is being accomplished. The cost for this has been excessive. Many smaller businesses have been hurt. About 900,000 Massachusetts residents are out of work.

But the virus has been dramatically shut down.

Many economists believe the virus cannot exist with a healthy economy.

Get rid of the virus, have a healthy economy.

Continue reading Thank the Lord we live in Massachusetts

Floyd death dominates as Covid-19 takes back seat

Screen Shot 2020-06-06 at 3.40.37 PM
A view of Ferry Street looking toward Boston. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

National protests continue as city leaders hold vigil

By JOSH RESNEK

The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a white police officer, whose partners did nothing to stop the officer now charged with his death, has set off a firestorm of riots, peaceful protests and looting across the nation’s great cities.

It has caused a lot of thinking to be done out loud by a variety of people in Everett.

Everett is a minority majority city. Thousands of residents have been transfixed by the chaos as broadcast on television with many residents said to be seen crying and wondering if anyone is going to do anything or in fact, what can be done or should be done.

Black and brown residents have been especially moved by Floyd’s murder and the ensuing protests.

Everett Police have been instructed by their watch commanders and the chief to exercise caution with those they come in contact with to prevent a Floyd type incident here.

Tuesday evening, an Internet vigil was held by the mayor and Councilor Gerly Adrien. Also participating were Bishop Robert Brown of the Zion Church, Police Chief Steven Mazzie, Dr. Omar Easy and Myrlanndie DesRosiers.

In addition, the event had the endorsement of the city council and the school committee with nearly all the members attending online.

The mayor has called the death of Floyd as ugly and cowardly.

Continue reading Floyd death dominates as Covid-19 takes back seat

Senate passes bill to collect vital public health data, establish statewide Covid-19 crisis task force

Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico announced that the Massachusetts Senate has passed bipartisan legislation to promote equity and transparency as the Commonwealth continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill, An Act Addressing COVID-19 Data Collection and Disparities in Treatment, would increase the amount of statewide, publicly available data as it relates to the coronavirus, and establish a task force to study and make policy recommendations to address health disparities for underserved and underrepresented communities, including gateway cities like Chelsea and Everett.

“These reporting requirements are critical to ensuring we have a full and up-to-date understanding of the pandemic’s impact on our communities, and the inequities that exist across our Commonwealth,” said DiDomenico. “Our district has been especially hard hit by COVID-19, and any additional information that we have at our disposal will be key to tailoring our response to this pandemic. These new reporting requirements will also help to determine our long-term recovery efforts and inform our ongoing work to address systemic inequities in our healthcare and safety-net systems. I am pleased that the Senate has taken action to implement strong data collection and reporting requirements, and it is my hope that this bill makes it to the Governor’s desk in the very near future.” Continue reading Senate passes bill to collect vital public health data, establish statewide Covid-19 crisis task force