LAST WEEK
On Thursday, both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate enacted Senate Bill 2618, an act providing additional support to those affected by the novel coronavirus through the unemployment insurance system. This bill would expand the maximum allowable benefit period for claims from 27 weeks to 30 weeks for any week where unemployment insurance claims exceed 100,000. It now sits before the Governor awaiting further action.
In federal news, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing Tuesday to review spending under the $2.2 trillion CARES Act. Among those testifying were Secretary of Treasury Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Powell.
THIS WEEK
Beginning Sunday, the MBTA Green Line stations Lechmere and Science Park will be closed for approximately one year as part of the Green Line extension project. Dedicated bus lanes and shuttle busses will be installed in the interim to provide the more than 14,00 passengers (pre-coronavirus levels) an alternative route beyond North Station.
Under Phase I of Governor Baker’s reopening plan, non-essential lab space can reopen starting Monday, May 25. Office space across the Commonwealth, with the exception of Boston, can also reopen on Monday at 25% capacity.
Additionally, State Representative Marjorie Decker, House Chair, Joint Committee On Mental Health, Substance Use And Recovery, joins MassBio CEO Bob Coughlin for a virtual briefing as part of MassBio’s “Policymakers Live” series. Previous guests this month included: Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Senator Joe Boncore. You can register to attend this briefing, here.