15

THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022 Page 15 BEACON | FROM Page 17 message: ‘Get this done.’ We could not let them down and I am proud to say that we have not let them down … The funding authorized in this bill will ensure that the future residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and veterans across our commonwealth receive the care with honor and dignity that they have earned in service to our nation.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned 3951) ROADS AND BRIDGES (H House 160-0, Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Baker signed into law on May 28, 2021 a bill that includes authorizing $200 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state. The $350 million package, a bond bill under which the funding would be borrowed by the state through the sale of bonds, also includes $150 million to pay for bus lanes, improvement of public transit, electric vehicles and other state transportation projects. “When building a better normal post-pandemic, investment in transportation infrastructure is crucial,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen (DSomerville). “Our communities should feel that their infrastructure is reliable and making it easier for them to go back to their normal activities.” This legislation recognizes that in addition to the backlog of local roads in need of repair, there is an unmet need for local projects that benefi t all modes of transportation,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House chair of the Committee on Transportation. “And I am pleased that the Legislature was able to provide municipal assistance for road work and expanded funding for towns and cities to advance public transit and reduce congestion.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned HELP BUSINESSES AND WORKERS (H 90) House 157-0, Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Baker signed into law on April 1, 2022 a bill that supporters said will stabilize the state’s unemployment system and provide targeted tax relief to employers and workers. Provisions exclude Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from being taxed by the state in 2020; exclude $10,200 of unemployment compensation received by an individual with a household income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level from gross income for tax purposes; and create a mechanism ensuring all employees will be able to access 40 hours of paid sick time for any COVID-related issues, including testing positive, needing to quarantine or caring for a loved one. Other provisions waive penalties on unemployment insurance taxes; freeze unemployment insurance rates paid by employers and extend the state’s tax fi ling deadline from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. Businesses would also face a new surcharge, in the form of an excise tax on employee wages, through December 2022 to help repay interest due in September on the federal loans. “The House and Senate enacted legislation to make important updates to our state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which has provided an economic lifeline for so many families in need,” said Rep. Josh Cutler (D-Duxbury), House chair of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “Our actions today will prevent a sharp increase in rates on our businesses, help stabilize the fund over the longer term, provide tax relief to lower income jobseekers and ensure that needed jobless benefi ts continue to fl ow.” “Massachusetts employers faced a signifi cant increase in their unemployment insurance costs, with employers’ experience rates scheduled to jump from $539 to $858 per worker this year,” said Republican House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This legislation mitigates that increase by freezing the rate schedule. Restaurants and small businesses, already struggling fi - nancially during the COVID-19 pandemic, secured federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to keep their businesses afloat and save employees’ jobs during the pandemic faced a collective tax bill of $150 million. This legislation will make sure their forgiven loans will not be subject to state taxes.” “Over the past year, thousands of Massachusetts workers have lost pay, or even lost their jobs, because they needed to stay home from work due to COVID symptoms, or to recover after receiving a vaccine,” said Steve Tolman, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “Countless other workers have gone to work even when they might be sick because they can’t aff ord not to get paid. Workers need Emergency Paid Sick Time.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned 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 January 3-7, the House met for a total of 34 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 16 minutes. Mon. Jan. 3 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:16 a.m. Tues. Jan. 4 No House session No Senate session Wed. Jan. 5 House 11:09 a.m. to 11:22 a.m. Senate 11:10 a.m. to 11:12 a.m. Thurs. Jan. 6 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:19 a.m. Fri. Jan. 7 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com USA Lawn and Yard Care SNOW PLOWING Driveways From $ 35 * REASONABLE RATES * Prompt, Courteous Service * PARKING LOTS 781-521-9927 Call

16 Publizr Home