Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 CORPORATE & BUSINESS TAX PREPARATION RESPONSIVE CPA ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS * Financial Statement: Audit & Reviews * Payroll & Bookkeeping Services Call (617) 240-2905 / Email: Steven.divirgilio@cpa.com Website: WWW.STEVEDCPA.COM Legislature closes out session by passing major legislation I n the fi nal session of the 191st General Court, a number of bills and policies championed by State Senator Joseph Senator Boncore passed the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives. Critical legislation, ranging from transportation and housing to economic development and environmental protection, passed in the fi nal days of the leg9 islative session. “Throughout this session, and especially over the past few weeks, the policies passed by the Senate represent our collective commitment to improving the lives of residents across the order online at: www.angelosoil.com Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Commonwealth,” said Boncore. “Our path to both health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 will be shaped by these policies; ranging from sealing eviction records and expanding health insurance coverage, to improving our public transit system and supporting local restaurants. As we begin this new legislative session, I will continue to support policies that guarantee equity and justice.” Boncore, who serves as the Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation, led eff orts to pass the transportation bond bill: a $16.5 billion investment to modernize the Commonwealth’s transportation system. In addition to a wide variety of infrastructure projects, the bond bill addresses equity in public transit by requiring a lowincome fare program, modernizes the transportation network fee structure and decriminalizes fare evasion on MBTA service. Several bills to expand housing access and aff ordability – initially fi led by Senator Boncore – passed the Legislature recently. Among these housing policies are: • The HOMES Act to create a process for sealing eviction records, protect minors from being named in eviction cases and exwww.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM JOSEPH BONCORE State Senator punge the names of minors from existing eviction records. • Legislation to guarantee an elected tenant representative on local housing authority boards • Zoning reform to help cities and towns approve smart growth zoning and aff ordable housing by lowering the required vote threshold for a range of housingrelated zoning changes from a two-thirds supermajority to a simple majority • Policy to expand housing access by creating new requirements for transit-oriented development and multifamily housing • A local option for a tenant’s right of fi rst refusal, by which tenants occupying a residential property may purchase said property prior to its sale or foreclosure The Legislature also passed a $627 million economic development bond bill to support housing, climate resiliency, student loan borrowers, minority- and women-owned businesses, and broadband infrastructure, and it provides over $102 million for local economic development initiatives across the Commonwealth. The economic development bond bill also includes $20 million in grants to restaurants impacted by COVID-19, and it establishes a 15 percent cap on third-party delivery fees during the COVID-19 state of emergency and protects delivery drivers from facing rate cuts. The craft brewers legislation (designed to protect the economic viability of local and emerging craft breweries) fi led by Senator Boncore passed the legislature. The bill supports economic development by allowing craft brewers greater fl exibility in ending contracts with distributors. Healthcare – focused on recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the health system broadly – has remained a priority for the legislature this session. The healthcare legislation passed in December requires insurance parity between in-person and telehealth services, addresses out-of-network “surprise” billing, requires insurance coverage of Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)/Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and updates scope of practice for nurses, optometrists and pharmacists. On January 4, to address climate change, the legislature enacted An Act creating a nextgeneration roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy. The omnibus bill includes measures to limit statewide greenhouse gas emissions, to increase renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, to address natural gas safety and to create benchmarks for the adoption of electric vehicles and vehicle charging stations. The Act also codifi es environmental justice communities and includes unique plans to improve economic, environmental and public health impacts in these communities. Additionally, the Legislature supported environmental protection by enacting legislation requiring public awareness for sewage pollution in public waters. This bill is now before the governor. WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! FLEET
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