THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 Page 5 House passes $3.8B bill for COVID-19 needs and recovery O n November 2, State Representative Joseph McGonagle, along with his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, unanimously passed An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs (H.4234) a spending proposal (originally sponsored by Governor Charlie Baker) using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 surplus funds. Funded at $3.82 billion, H.4234 addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to facilitate recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment and climate mitigation, economic development, workforce, health and human services, and education. McGonagle was able to secure $700,000 for Everett in this bill, which now goes to the Senate. “The investments made by the House today address evident needs across all Massachusetts communities and sectors of the economy, particularly among those who have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano. “I thank Chair Michlewitz and the members of the Committee on Ways & Means, as well as all legislators, stakeholders and residents for their advocacy, guidance and work in making this bill a reality.” In this bill, McGonagle was able to secure $400,000 to create a financial assistance program to benefit first-time homebuyers in Everett. Additionally, he locked down $300,000 for the city’s police and public health departments to hire additional substance abuse counselors to work with and support unhoused members of the community. Both of these projects were identified as priorities for the city and the community. “I am so thrilled with the outcome of this bill for the Commonwealth as a whole but especially for Everett,” said McGonagle. “There were 1127 amendments filed, 1127 requests for funds across the 351 cities and towns across Massachusetts. For us to get both these requests is huge for our community. I am excited to see how these programs will better our city and I’m grateful to Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz for their hard work on this bill and listening to the needs of Everett. I am also grateful to Mayor DeMaria and Economic developJoseph McGonagle State Representative his staff for always being great partners in these endeavors.” “This spending package makes significant, targeted investments into areas such as affordable housing, workforce development, and boosting our health care system that will give a much-needed boost to our residents who were hit the hardest by this pandemic,” said State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, who is chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means. “Throughout this legislation, the needs of communities that were disproportionally affected by the pandemic are prioritized. By doing so, the House has passed a truly equitable spending plan.” Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Legislature voted to transfer the state’s $5.3 billion allocation from ARPA, which must be allocated by 2024, into a separate fund to ensure stakeholder and resident ment The House bill includes $500 million to replenish the Unemployment Trust Fund, which will offset businesses’ contributions for unemployment programs. The bill includes $200 million worth of tax relief for small businesses that paid personal income taxes on state or federal relief awards during the pandemic. It also includes $60 million for grants to support small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic, with $35 million of it reserved for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. To assist recovering cultural organizations and artists, the bill appropriates $125 million to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for grants supporting cultural events, education or performances highlighting underrepresented voices. Other economic development investments include $40 million for youth summer and schoolyear jobs, $50 million to close the digital divide and $12 million to assist in the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Massachusetts. COVID-19 | SEE PAGE 6 engagement in a public process. On October 26, 2021, following six public hearings and more than a thousand pieces of testimony received, the House Ways & Means Committee released its proposal, which the House approved 159-0.
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