Representative Steven Howitt: Legislature taking proactive steps to protect public, assist workers during coronavirus outbreak

Boston – State Representative Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) is working with colleagues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by taking steps to protect the public and provide support for workers who lose their jobs as a result of the outbreak.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have approved a bill waiving the one-week waiting period for laid off workers applying for unemployment benefits. The changes are retroactive to March 10 – the day Governor Charlie Baker declared a State of Emergency in response to the outbreak – and will remain in place for 90 days after the Governor’s order is lifted. The Legislature previously enacted a supplemental budget providing $15 million in assistance to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as well as local and regional boards of health. This money is being used to support ongoing monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts against the virus.

Representative Howitt said the House and Senate are working on a proposal filed by Governor Baker to assist municipalities with essential government functions during the State of Emergency. House Bill 4572 would allow for a 30-day postponement of Town Meeting due to the public health emergency created by the virus, while giving local Select Boards the power to extend Town Meeting beyond the June 30 cut-off date mandated by state law if necessary.

House Bill 4572 would also allow for the temporary reduction of quorum requirements for Town Meeting to comply with “social distancing” measures designed to prevent the spread of the virus. The bill would also authorize towns that are unable to finalize a budget by June 30 to continue spending at current fiscal year levels on a month-to-month basis for essential operations, using revolving funds and existing cash balances, until a new budget is finalized.

“Every day we are learning something new due to this outbreak, and our priority is to protect our constituents and the health and welfare of those in the community. Public safety comes first, this is a whole new way of thinking and operating. We want everyone to be healthy, safe, and smart,” said Representative Howitt.

Representative Howitt will continue to provide regular updates for constituents on his social media page, https://www.facebook.com/StevenHowittforStateRepresentative/ or on Twitter @HowittStateRep. Constituents may also contact Representative Howitt directly by calling (617) 722-2305 or e-mailing Steven.Howitt@mahouse.gov.

Representative Howitt expects the House and Senate will be taking additional actions in the weeks ahead to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. In the meantime, he encourages
constituents to utilize the state’s website at https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 to stay informed about the latest developments during the State of Emergency.