Legislative Update: Week of February 28, 2022

Mar 01, 2022

LAST WEEK

President Biden approved $350 million in military aid for Ukraine shortly after Russia’s invasion. Members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Sunday, thousands gathered in Boston to show support for Ukraine and organize a drive for medical supplies.

President Joe Biden nominated US Circuit Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the United States Supreme Court. Judge Jackson is the first Black female Supreme Court nominee.

Governor Baker filed a $2.4 billion supplemental budget which contains surplus fiscal year 2022 funds to address emergency COVID-19 needs.

The city of Cambridge announced last week they will be lifting the local mask mandate in indoor public spaces beginning March 14.  

THIS WEEK

February 28 marks the first day Massachusetts public schools are back from February vacation, and the date the statewide mask mandate in schools has been lifted. Municipalities, however, can choose to keep their mask mandates.

President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union Address on Tuesday at 9PM.

The Boston Public Health Commission plans to meet Tuesday to discuss the city’s mask requirements for schools and businesses. The Wu administration is looking to set some timelines and parameters for easing the mask mandates while being mindful of how school vacation week could affect transmission.

Also on Tuesday, the Joint Ways and Means Committee will host its third virtual hearing on Governor Baker’s $48.5 billion fiscal 2023 budget proposal. State spending levels in the areas of housing, labor and economic development will be discussed. 

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