• Reopening today: Manufacturing, construction and houses of worship
  • Democratic lawmakers urge Baker to extend shutdown; receives threats
  • Massachusetts invests $56 million to combat food insecurity
  • Is the MBTA taking COVID-19 safety seriously?
  • COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on municipal budgets; essential services could suffer
  • Monday’s Silver Lining: Message for the Class of 2020 from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

 

  1. Governor Charlie Baker is expected to announce details of the state’s plan to slowly reopen after 60-plus days of a state-wide lockdown. The first industries allowed to resume operations are manufacturing and construction, according to The Boston Globe. Houses of worship will also be allowed to reopen with this first announcement along with barbershops, hair salons and recreational marijuana shops, the Globe reported.

 

 

  1. A group of state lawmakers lead by Cambridge State Representative Mike Connolly is urging Governor Baker to extend the stay-at-home advisory, and shutdown of nonessential businesses through June 1st. Police are currently investigating a threatening message Connolly received over the letter to Baker.

 

  1. The Baker-Polito administration announced the state will invest $56 million to combat food insecurity across Massachusetts. The funding is consistent with the findings of the Food Security Task Force, which convened in response to the skyrocketing demands for food assistance since COVID-19 began. The largest portion of the funding, $36 million, will establish a food security infrastructure grant program ensuring individuals and families in need can access food.

 

  1. Despite Baker’s plans to start re-opening the state, the MBTA remains on reduced schedule and transportation experts are disappointed on the MBTA’s tentative approach on masks and rider limits.

 

  1. COVID-19 has thrown municipal budgets into chaos, forcing cuts to senior centers, schools, and police departments across the state. According to The National League of Cities, Massachusetts is projected to see a larger drop in 2020 revenue than any other state except California, New York and Pennsylvania. Depending on the town, that could mean a drop in spending as low as the 2008 recession.

 

  1. WIMPY KID SENDS OFF 2020: The author of the acclaimed “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” tells the class of 2020, “you’ve handled all of these changes so well. Better than us grown-ups, TBH.” And it’s true, they have.