Talks have begun on what “Round Four” of Federal COVID-19 relief legislation could look like. Small businesses should apply quickly for relief.
State revenues are among the growing list of economic losses of COVID-19, and budget writers are starting from scratch.
Boston City Council passed a mostly symbolic resolution 12-1, calling for a moratorium on rent and mortgages. Will that be enough pressure for state lawmakers to act?
In non-sports news, the Patriots plane is delivering over 1 million pieces of personal protective equipment today from China. We’re still not over the loss of Tom, Bob.
- While Federal stimulus checks and expanded unemployment benefits are anticipated to begin next week, members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation are planning the next round of federal relief.
- Small businesses are being encouraged to apply for the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act as quickly as possible. Members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation hinted that applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.
- State budget writers are starting over for fiscal year 2021 (FY21). The process of writing the budget for FY21 began in December with economic experts giving their best projections for revenues before the Joint Committee on Ways & Means. Now those experts are being asked to do so again next week by state budget leaders who are hosting a virtual hearing.
- Boston City Council passed a mostly symbolic resolution calling for a moratorium on rents and mortgages. Aimed to pressure state lawmakers to act, Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards calls the resolution a necessary step for institutional stakeholders to rise to the occasion.
- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft used the team plane to transport one million personal protective equipment (PPE) N95 masks purchased by the Commonwealth from China. The plane is expected to be greeted by Gov. Baker this afternoon when it lands at Logan International Airport.
- In today’s COVID-19 silver lining: serious crime is down as almost everyone is abiding by the governor’s stay-at-home order, even criminals.