THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021 Page 5 DiDomenico announces sweeping economic development law Authorizes $627M for COVID-19 recovery prioritizing small business relief, support for workers, housing development O n Wednesday, January 6, Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed $627 million in funding for a sweeping economic recovery and development bill, providing critical support to businesses, investments in infrastructure, and creation of new jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was signed into law on January 14. An Act enabling partnerships for growth is a COVID-19 relief and recovery package that provides support to the restaurant and tourism sectors, small businesses and those who have been affected by the pandemic. The bill also creates a Future of Work Commission, establishes protections for student loan borrowers and ushers in zoning reforms to encourage affordable housing development in our communities. “I am very pleased that this legislation is now law so that we can provide much-needed relief to our small business community and the parts of our economy that have been hardest hit by this pandemic,” said DiDomenico. “While the capital investments in this bill will reach every part of our Commonwealth, this legislation will have a profound impact on our district in particular. I was proud to vote for this COVID relief package, and I look forward to continue working with my colleagues in the Legislature to ensure that our communities receive the support and resources that we need and deserve during these trying times.” Included in this economic development law is critical language limiting the fees charged by third-party delivery services for restaurants, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub. The new law limits fees charged by them to 15 percent during the COVID-19 state of emergency, and it prohibits third-party delivery service companies from reducing rates for delivery drivers or garnishing gratuities as result of the limitation. From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, DiDomenico began advocating for a cap on delivery fees to protect local restaurants during the COVID-19 state of emergency. “I heard from many restaurant owners on this specific issue, especially as the industry has transitioned to take-out and delivery service during the Sal DiDomenico State Senator COVID emergency,” said DiDomenico. “My district is a hub for independently owned restaurants, and these small businesses are in large part what make our community so vibrant. The restaurant industry throughout the Commonwealth has taken a terrible hit during this crisis, and it is the very least we can do to protect them from predatory practices.” An Act enabling partnerships for growth includes the following bonding authorizations and policy changes: COVID-19 pandemic relief and recovery bonding authorizations • $30 million for the state’s COVID-19 Payroll Protection Program • $20 million for restaurant COVID-19 recovery grants Policy changes • Creates a commission to examine and make recommendations on addressing the recovery of the cultural and creative sector, including the arts, humanities and sciences, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic Housing bonding authorizations • $40 million for a program to redevelop blighted buildings • $50 million for transit-oriented housing developments • $10 million for climate-resilient, affordable housing developments • $5 million for a Gateway Cities housing program Policy changes • Implements zoning reform to help cities and towns approve smart growth zoning and affordable housing by lowering the required vote threshold for a range of housing-related zoning changes and special permits at the local level from a two-thirds supermajority to a simple majority • Requires designated MBTA communities to be zoned for at least one district of reasonable size in which multifamily housing is permitted “as of right” and requires such housing to be suitable for families with children DEVELOPMENT | SEE PAGE 7
6 Publizr Home