Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 7, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 19 Massachusetts Broadband Institute announced $19 million in grants to support participants of the Digital Equity Partnerships Program. The funds will support active digital equity projects focused on delivering training, resources and broadband infrastructure to Massachusetts residents. Supporters say these projects will distribute upwards of 500 devices, expand the Apartment Wi-Fi program by 4,000 units and increase digital access for nearly 20,000 residents across the state. “Massachusetts is committed to closing the digital divide through strategic partnerships that focus on the needs of residents,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “These grants give us the opportunity to ensure that residents across the state have direct access to their professional, health,and social needs, while at the same time driving long-term economic growth through expanded training and education.” “The Digital Equity Partnerships program leverages the expertise of high-capacity organizations delivering skills training, devices, and Wi-Fi to the people who need it most,” said MBI Program Executive Jody Jones. “Our targeted efforts are making a real impact with the goal of delivering ‘Internet for All’ in Massachusetts. With these grants, Massachusetts is creating economic opportunity and ensuring all residents can fully participate in society.” $325,000 TO RESTORE CRITICAL WILDLIFE HABITAT - The Healey Administration today announced $325,000 in grants to restore approximately 520 acres of wildlife habitat across Massachusetts. The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is awarding grants to several organizations through the Habitat Management Grant Program which provides fi nancial assistance to private and municipal owners of conserved lands to improve habitat for wildlife, steward biodiversity, enhance climate resiliency and promote public recreational opportunities. “Partnership and collaboration are essential for meeting our ambitious biodiversity and climate goals,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Most forests and other wildlife habitats in Massachusetts are not stateowned, and we rely on conservation organizations, cities and towns, private landowners, and other partners to greatly expand our impact. This program provides us with the unique opportunity to improve habitat for atrisk wildlife while also bolstering outdoor recreation opportunities for all.” QUOTABLE QUOTES - LEGAL NOTICE - CITY OF EVERETT Purchasing Department 484 Broadway, Room 14 Everett, MA 02149 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Sealed proposals for Operating and Managing the City of Everett’s Wellness Center will be received at the Purchasing Office, Everett City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149; until the time specified below, the proposals will logged. Please note that the proposals are not open to the public at the time of the opening. They only become public after a Vendor has been chosen. The scope of work and bid forms may be obtained at the CITY website Purchasing - Everett, MA - Official Website (cityofeverett.com) after 9 am on February 10, 2025. Proposals will be received in the Purchasing Office until February 25, 2025, at 11:00 am. All proposals for this Project are subject to applicable public bidding laws of Massachusetts, including, but not limited to G.L. c. 30B. The consultant will be selected based on qualifications, including evidence of past performance in similar projects, and the proposal price. The Contract will be awarded to the Proposer deemed by the awarding authority to be the lowest responsible and eligible Proposer. The proposer agrees that its proposal shall be good and may not be withdrawn for a period of 30 days, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded, after the opening of the proposals. The City reserves the right to waive any informalities, to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all proposals, or take whatever other action may be deemed to be in the best interest of the City. The City of Everett By: Allison Jenkins, Chief Procurement Officer February 07, 2025 “The number one issue facing the American people is high costs. The President’s tariff s represent nothing more than a giant price hike on the cost of groceries, clothes, phones, housing and energy. We estimate that electricity costs in New England alone will go up by as much as $200 million a year. Additionally, we rely on these countries for lumber and building materials, which means housing costs will rise, and housing production could stall. We need a partner in the White House who will lower costs for families and businesses in Massachusetts, and all we’ve seen thus far from this new administration are actions that will do the exact opposite.” ---Gov. Maura Healey in response to the White House’s announcement that President Trump will implement a 25 percent tariff on goods coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tariff on goods from China. “Trailblazers at the state and local level are leading by example every day to help Massachusetts achieve its climate goals. Today’s award ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their successes.” --- Energy and Environmental Aff airs Secretary Rebecca Tepper on the Healey Administration recognizing several Massachusetts state entities, municipalities and public sector individuals for their leadership in driving initiatives to decarbonize operations and reduce the environmental impacts and energy costs of state and municipal government. “Preventing gun violence is critical to ensuring the safety of Massachusetts communities. These grants support life-saving initiatives that will allow police offi cers and communities to better respond to individuals in crisis and at-risk of gun violence.” --- Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on the Healey Administration awarding more than $2 million in federal funding to help local police departments and state agencies prevent fi rearm deaths and injuries across Massachusetts. “This increase is more than just a financial adjustment – it’s a promise kept to those who have given so much. We are proud to deliver tangible support to ensure veterans and their families can thrive in Massachusetts.” ---Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago announcing that Massachusetts veterans and their families will begin receiving an increase from $2,000 to $2,500 per year increased annuity benefi ts in February 2025 as part of the historic HERO Act that Gov. Healey signed into law last year. 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 fi led. 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 Jan. 27-31, the House a met for a total of 17 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 25 minutes. Mon. Jan. 27 House11:02 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Tues. Jan. 28 No House session No Senate session Wed. Jan. 29 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:03 a.m. No Senate session Thurs. Jan. 30 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Senate 11:02 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Fri. Jan. 31 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
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