Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 22, 2020 Baker-Polito Admin. to distribute $502M from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund T he Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that it is preparing to distribute up to $502 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to local cities and towns for eligible costs related to the COVID-19 response effort. The Administration is also providing guidance to local municipalities on this formal distribution process and establishing protocols to maximize the use of federal resources and promote compliance with federal restrictions. These funds must be used by municipalities consistent with parameters established by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department. This distribution, plus funds allocated directly to Boston and Plymouth County, represents approximately 25 percent of the state’s allocation GIANNELLI Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and in most cases, this is expected to be sufficient to address incurred or expected eligible COVID-related expenses. This approach is intended to distribute money to municipalities quickly and efficiently and to maintain necessary flexibility to allocate additional funds if unanticipated needs arise, or if federal rules change. These resources will also help ease municipal cash flow pressures. The Administration’s distribution process will allow municipalities to apply for estimated Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) needs. These funds will help address any existing deficits in FY20, thereby avoiding the need to use reserves to fund a deficit or carry one into Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Municipalities can then request funding for FY21-eligible COVID-19 costs later on. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: The Senate made history last week when it held the first remote session with just a few members in the Senate chamber. Most members watched and listened to the debate from the comfort of their home or business office through their computers and voted via phone. Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on one roll call from the week of May 11-15. ALLOW THE STATE TO BORROW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS (H 4677) House 157-0, Senate 38-0, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a bill that would authorize the state treasurer to borrow billions of dollars needed to keep the state running through the end of June. The funding is needed as a result of diminishing income tax revenues during COVID-19 when the Bay State moved the tax return filing deadMANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT CORP 639 Broadway, Route 99, Malden, MA 02148 Office: 781-321-0640 Call Paul Direct: 617-590- 5366 Email: pgiannelli@aol.com • Residential & Commercial Listing and Sales • Land Locating and Zoning Analysis • Demolition • Land Development / Ledge Removal/ Utilities & Roadways • Modular & Site Built Residential & Commercial Properties NEW CONSTRUCTION NEARING COMPLETION! COMING SOON! line from April 15 to July 15 in addition to the loss of sales tax and other revenue as a result of business shutdowns. State tax collections dropped in April by more than $2.3 billion compared to April 2019. The Legislature and the administration accomplished this by agreeing to engage in RANs — Revenue Anticipation Notes. This means that the state will borrow in fiscal 2020 the amount of money that was deferred or estimated to have been deferred by the movement of the tax filing date. Then the state would use fiscal year 2021 revenues to pay back the loan. Supporters said they anticipate the borrowing could reach up to $3 billion in order to keep the state financially afloat. They said the state is obligated to pay its bills and has no other choice. “The legislation that advanced today will help the commonwealth responsibly meet nearterm budget challenges as we continue to address the impacts of COVID-19,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “In order to protect the commonwealth’s taxpayers and maintain fiscal discipline during this public health crisis, the bi-partisan legislation passed by the Senate today authorizes the commonwealth to finance the recent extension of the 2019 state individual income tax filing deadline and provides a necessary bridge to help us get through the next few months until the next fiscal year,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The passage of this bill will allow the commonwealth to meet its fiscal obligations and pay its bills without negatively affecting our residents in the midst of this pandemic.” (A “Yes” vote is for the borrowing). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK'S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature's job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of May 4-8, the House met for a total of two hours and 32 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and 29 minutes MON. MAY 11 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:31 a.m. Senate 11:24 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. TUES. MAY 12 No House session No Senate session WED. MAY 13 House 11:03 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. No Senate session THURS. MAY 14 House 11:04 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 12:03 p.m. FRI. MAY 15 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com EPD honors Lt. Cristiano (Photo is an artistic interpretation of the general appearance and not meant to be an exact rendition.) MELROSE - Nestled in one of the city’s most prestige and desirable areas, this newlyconstructed customized 2472 sf+-modular single family situated on a 12,500 sf+-lot features four (4) bedroom split entry, a two car garage with unfinished bonus storage room, large paved multi car driveway, vinyl siding, Main Level features an oversized master bedroom with walk in closet and master bath, two additional spacious bedrooms, a full 2nd/ guest bath, Merrilat ‘soft close’ kitchen cabinets with center Island, granite counters kitchen and baths, stainless steel appliance package, fire placed L.R - separate dining room with sliders to rear patio area, tile bath flooring and front entry way, hardwood flooring balance, pull down attic stairs, gas (LP) heat - central air conditioning. Lower level consists of a finished family room, 4th bedroom/office, ¾ bath and laundry area. Offered at $899,900.00. For additional info, Contact Paul: 617-590-5366. Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie (right) recently presented Lt. John Cristiano, who retired in January, with a plaque recognizing him for his 34 years of service to the Police Department. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Police Department)
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