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MASSCreative continues to monitor and report on state policy that supports equitable communities and a stronger, more inclusive creative sector. Here are three important updates from the past week: Reopening Plan Enters Phase 2 Over the weekend, Governor Baker announced Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan to officially begin Monday June 8th. Gov. Baker was clear that continued reopening progress will be dependent on public health data. Phase 2, which will last a minimum of three weeks, is set to occur in two parts. In the first part of Phase 2, people will be allowed to go into retail stores, and restaurants will be able to serve customers outside. Childcare facilities and day camps are allowed to reopen, as well. For sector-specific reopening protocols and practices, please visit Reopening: Sector-specific Protocols and Practices. |
Legislation We Are Tracking
On Friday, June 5, MASSCreative joined the Mass Nonprofit Network and other nonprofit leaders to submit testimony to the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development in support of H.4743: An Act Assisting Non-profits To Provide for COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits, filed by Rep. Paul McMurtry and Rep. Nika Elugardo. This bill would provide desperately needed help to nonprofits who self insure and are required to repay the Department of Unemployment for staff laid off or furloughed due to COVID-19. Already, the CARES Act provides 50% forgiveness on the full amount. The bill would forgive the other 50% and greatly alleviate the financial burden on nonprofits who are struggling with an increased demand for services and less revenue. H.4743 could keep thousands of nonprofits afloat and allow them to reopen and recover more quickly after COVID-19.
MASSCreative joins the Election Modernization Coalition in support of the passage of H.4778: An Act Relative to Voting Options in Response to COVID-19 by the House last week. This bill provides critical provisions to promote ballot access and safety in the fall’s elections, including sending mail ballot applications for both the September 1 and November 3 elections to all registered voters, expanding early in-person voting, implementing an online system where voters can request an early or absentee ballot, and providing safer in-person voting conditions on Election Day. The bill now goes to the Senate where MASSCreative will work with our partners to encourage the Senate to pass the House version of the bill.
