Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020 DiDomenico and Senate Colleagues pass bill to authorize $200M for transportation infrastructure; extend FMCB; pass 1/12th budget Legislation includes $641K for the City of Everett B OSTON – On Thursday, June 11, Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Senate passed legislation to invest Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 in municipal transportation projects and extend the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB). 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 on 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 DiDomenico. “I am pleased this investment is now one step closer to becoming a reality for cities and towns across our Commonwealth.” The transportation infrastructure bill, which is titled An Act fi - nancing 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 FMCB for another year and maintaining FMBC’s current authority. During the June 11 session, the Senate also advanced a $5.25B “1/12th” budget to ensure essential services that communities rely on continue to receive funding as the legislature closely monitors the impacts of COVID-19 on economic and state tax revenue. The 1/12th budget is a standard exercise and would authorize funds for the month of July at a conservative level to ensure fi scal responsibility during this period of economic uncertainty. “While my legislative colleagues and I typically pass an annual budget each year, the uncertain economic future created by the COVID crisis made it necessary for us to instead pass a one-month – or 1/12th – budSal DiDomenico State Senator get,” said DiDomenico. “This option allows us to meet our fi nancial responsibilities and maintain essential services while we monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our economy and our tax revenue. This approach also gives our Commonwealth additional fl exibility while we await federal action in Washington. I look forward to continuing my work with my legislative colleagues to build a fi scally responsible budget during these diffi cult economic times.” On June 15, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges was referred by the Massachusetts House to its committee on Ways & Means. Encore Boston Harbor prepares for July reopening Casino Resort with select restaurants will operate under new guidelines F ollowing the direction of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), Encore Boston Harbor will reopen to the public as part of the State’s Phase 3 Reopening Plan, which is anticipated to begin no sooner than July 6. The resort voluntarily closed on March 15, 2020, to reduce the threat to public health arising from community spread of the COVID-19 virus. In addition to its previously released Health and Safety Program, Encore Boston Harbor supports and will adhere to the additional directives aimed to reduce the risk to public health set forth by the MGC, including reductions in available gaming capacity. As a result, the resort will reopen with amenities appropriate to the new rules and in support of the anticipated number of guests. Pending final approval, Encore Boston Harbor plans to reopen the casino gaming area and supporting food and beverage outlets around the casino. It also plans to open the hotel on a limited basis. When it reopens, Encore Boston Harbor will bring back its employees in a thoughtful and measured protocol. Some employees working in the reopened amenities and restaurants will return to work. Employees who worked in areas for which a reopening date is uncertain due to current restrictions, are being placed on furlough until further notice. About Encore Boston Harbor Encore Boston Harbor features 210,000 square feet of gaming space, including more than 3,000 slot machines and 240 table games. Situated on the Mystic River in Everett, Mass., and connected to Boston Harbor, Encore Boston Harbor boasts 671 spacious hotel rooms, a spa, salon and fitness center, specialty retail shops, 15 dining and lounge venues and more than 50,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting spaces. The grounds feature a six-acre Harborwalk with paths that provide access to the waterfront, an event lawn, public art and ornate floral displays. It is the largest private, single-phase development in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The casino offers free self-parking for all guests seven days a week. Encore Boston Harbor is proud to be the Official Hotel of the New England Patriots. For more information, visit encorebostonharbor.com or follow Encore Boston Harbor on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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