Baker-Polito Administration Issues New Travel Order Effective August 1st

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts will impose new restrictions on travelers from most of the United States next week, threatening fines of $500 per day for those who do not quarantine or prove they tested negative for COVID-19, the Baker administration announced Friday. 

Under Gov. Charlie Baker’s new executive order, anyone entering Massachusetts will need to fill out a form summarizing their travel, then either self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival or submit negative test results for the highly infectious virus no more than 72 hours old. 

The new policy that takes effect Aug. 1 is an escalation of a travel advisory that has been in place for months, adding enforcement mechanisms as new infections continue to surge in states outside the northeast. Individuals who do not follow the mandatory quarantine order could be fined $500 per day, according to a press release from Baker’s office. 

Travel from states considered low-risk -- defined as having a daily case rate of less than six people per 100,000 and a positive test rate below 5 percent -- will be exempt from the quarantine or test policies. As of Friday, eight states are on that list: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200724/baker-orders-fines-for-travelers-who-dont-quarantine/1?rssfeed=true

Link to text of the Press Release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-issues-new-travel-order-effective-august-1st

Link to the new MA Traveler page https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
To go direct to the new travel form https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-travel-form

YouTube link for Press Conference = https://youtu.be/o1bWAauaWoU

Gov Baker signs funding bill and Juneteenth holiday legislation

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday morning signed the $1.1 billion COVID-19 spending bill sent to his desk last week, though he vetoed sections dealing with past MassHealth payments and a program spending floor. 

The bill (H 4808) included hundreds of millions of dollars for some of the more obvious COVID-19 costs, like $350 million for personal protective equipment, $85 million spent on field hospitals and shelters, $44 million for the contact tracing collaborative, and more than $111 million in supplemental payments to hospitals and providers. 

The Baker administration has said that many of the pandemic-related appropriations will be mostly reimbursed by the federal government, and the governor urged the Legislature to act quickly, saying that Massachusetts is in a race with other states to access a limited pool of resources available for reimbursement. 

“Now that this authorization is in place, state agencies can finalize the documentation needed to secure federal reimbursement where available, in particular from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),” Baker wrote in his signing letter. “Federal reimbursement will be supplemented with other federal funding sources, including but not limited to money from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As such, the net state cost is expected to be $0.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200724/baker-signs-11b-covid-19-spending-bill?rssfeed=true


Gov Baker's letter to the Legislators with his approval and disagreement on two points of funding  https://www.mass.gov/doc/h4808-signing-package/download


Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) tweeted at 0:21 PM on Fri, Jul 24, 2020:

Today I signed a supplemental budget bill that authorizes #COVID19MA spending and also establishes #Juneteenth Independence Day as an annual state holiday on June 19 in order to recognize the continued need to ensure racial freedom and equality.

➡️READ: https://t.co/xg3iTJbjlu https://t.co/ZqIQBULeRo
(https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1286698008625676289?s=03)

Gov Baker signs funding bill and Juneteenth holiday legislation

“A cyberattack on one or more motor vehicles has enormous potential safety consequences"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"For months, an automobile manufacturer-backed opposition campaign has argued that a proposal to increase access to vehicle telematic data would expose drivers and the public to both safety and privacy risks. Now, they have a new ally in their effort to get a Massachusetts ballot question shot down: the federal government. 

At the request of state lawmakers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) waded into debate on a potential update to Massachusetts law this week, writing that the initiative petition as written would require remote access to vehicle functions “that may potentially pose an unreasonable risk to safety.” 

“Two of the most important (cybersecurity) techniques -- logical and physical isolation of vehicle control systems from external connections, and controlling access to firmware that executes vehicle functions -- may be rendered impossible by the provisions of this ballot initiative,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens wrote to state legislators. “The ballot initiative requires vehicle manufacturers to redesign their vehicles in a manner that necessarily introduces cybersecurity risks, and to do so in a timeframe that makes design, proof, and implementation of any meaningful countermeasure effectively impossible.” 

The chairs of the Legislature’s Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, Rep. Tackey Chan and Sen. Paul Feeney, asked the NHTSA to weigh in on the impacts of the ballot question. The question is headed to the Nov. 3 ballot in part because lawmakers opted against stepping in and passing an alternative bill."

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https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200724/vehicle-repair-proposal-carries-safety-risks-fed-agency-says?rssfeed=true

Senate Passes Legislation to Enhance Stroke Care System

Senate Passes Legislation to Enhance Stroke Care System

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday, July 23, 2020, unanimously passed legislation that will help lead to better care and treatment for individuals suffering from stroke.

"The Senate made it a priority this session to ensure our residents have adequate and equitable access to health care options, and this bill builds upon the hard work we have accomplished," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Time is a critical factor when seeking treatment for stroke patients and this potentially live-saving bill would better prepare our health care system so that we are doing it safely and efficiently."

"In Massachusetts, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death, claiming 2,370 lives per year, according to the most recent data from the Department of Public Health (DPH), stated Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. "Getting patients with strokes quickly to the appropriate hospital is critical to giving patients the best chance to survive. This bill will give DPH the tools to help EMS crews and hospitals work together to create a system where patients are given the highest opportunity to get the lifesaving care they need.  This bill received the strong support of the Public Health Committee, and I hope it can get to the Governor and be signed into law before the end of this session."

"Stroke is a chronic, deadly, and destructive disease that demands action from policymakers," said Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford).  "What is particularly troubling is that in many cases the death and disability is largely preventable.  We must act now to implement necessary reforms so that our loved ones can receive the very best care and treatment.  The things we can do now through this bill are pretty simple and reflect what many medical professionals agree are necessary to modernize our system of care.  Lives are simply more important than the bottom line of any business or desire to maintain the status quo."

"Stroke continues to take a terrible toll on its victims and their loved ones across the state and the nation; it continues to be a leading cause of death," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R -Gloucester).  "Combating the impacts of stroke depends significantly on a timely response with effective measures, and this legislation creates a framework for that to happen."

The bill, An Act to Prevent Death and Disability from Stroke, would:

• Direct the Department of Public Health (DPH) and regional EMS councils to annually review protocols to ensure stroke patients are transported to care facilities best equipped to treat them;
• Directs DPH to publicize regulations that create statewide standard pre-hospital care protocols and statewide criteria for designating hospitals in a tiered system;
• Requires DPH to publicly post, and annually update, a designated list of stroke facilities on its website; and
• Establishes a Stroke Advisory Task Force to assist with data oversight, program management and advice regarding the stroke system of care in the Commonwealth

 A stroke is caused by a disruption of blood supply to the brain. While stroke can cause disability or death, identifying the signs and getting immediate treatment can help reduce the long-term effects. Signs and symptoms may include face drooping, arm weakness and difficulty speaking.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 140,000 Americans die each year of stroke. A 2017 survey of Massachusetts adults 35 and older, 3.5 percent of reported suffering from stroke.

The legislation now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Passes Legislation to Enhance Stroke Care System

Senate Passes Bill to Support Restaurants During COVID-19

Senate Passes Bill to Support Restaurants During COVID-19

Bill allows amending of alcohol licenses for outdoor services

On Monday, July 20, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate passed legislation to further allow communities and restaurants flexibility during the public health crisis.

The bill, An Act to Address Challenges Faced by Restaurants and other Establishments due to COVID-19, ensures local municipalities maintain flexibility in authorizing restaurants to provide food and alcohol service in expanded outdoor spaces during the COVID-19 emergency through November 1, 2020. This flexibility is currently provided through an executive order issued by the Governor and passage of this law will ensure this practice continues.

"The Senate will remain focused on helping our restaurants and small businesses by lifting barriers as we move forward in this unprecedented public health crisis," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This bill will help give our restaurant industry another option as they safely welcome their customers back and recuperate from challenges posed by COVID-19."

"This bill will allow restaurants to promote social distancing practices, safely serve more customers and maximize their revenue during perhaps the most challenging economic time in memory for the industry," said Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I applaud Senator Feeney for his leadership in advocating Senate passage of this bill and for his ongoing efforts to urgently address challenges faced by restaurants during this public health crisis."

"The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting mitigation efforts have dramatically affected many industries throughout the Commonwealth. The restaurant industry has been particularly hard hit, said Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. "From local entrepreneurs and chefs, to wait staff, bartenders and other employees, the effect on working people has been significant. We have tried to identify ways in the Senate, working with our local restaurant owners, to mitigate some of the hardships that this industry is facing. It was clear to me that we could take this simple step to cut the bureaucracy involved in serving alcohol on a patio or sidewalk outside the restaurant and offer diners a safer experience as they return to dining out. This is a simple, effective and common-sense move that has been embraced by restaurant owners and municipalities, while keeping workers and diners as safe as possible."

"Massachusetts has more than 16,000 restaurants that employ thousands of people and serve millions of meals, and their survival is threatened by the measures necessary to protect public health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With projections that as many as 1 in 5 of these businesses may not ever reopen, we must find and provide practical measures that help them through this difficult time," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R -Gloucester). "This legislation will help them capitalize on a desperately needed revenue opportunity with a simple but powerful change in regulatory requirements."

  

The legislation is the latest in a series of bills supported by the Senate during the Coronavirus Pandemic which aim to support businesses while social distancing remains encouraged. The bill now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Passes Bill to Support Restaurants During COVID-19

Senate Passes Bill to Update Credit Union Regulation

Senate Passes Bill to Update Credit Union Regulation

Bill Aims to modernize financial regulation in Massachusetts

On Monday, July 20, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate passed legislation to streamline regulation of credit unions. In assigning new duties and offering appropriate flexibility to credit unions, the bill ends uncertainty over when and where credits should be considered as legally distinct from banks – some regulations continue to be common to both, while others only affect one group or the other. In a major change, credit union fees would be required to be consistent with banking fees.

The bill, An Act Modernizing the Credit Union Laws, also makes reforms to adjust the industry to the reality of remote work. For instance, the bill ensures that applications for loans may be done electronically and repeals now out-of-date regulations on advertisements and telephone-based customer service. The bill further makes headway into the digital age by updating and expanding online standards as well as critical privacy protections which are guaranteed to the customers of credit unions.

"I am thrilled to see this bill advance today as it an example of the Senate's efforts to improve access to our financial institutions," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I would like to thank my colleagues for elevating this important issue and ensuring its swift passage." 

"Credit Unions provide a vital service in our communities yet the laws that govern them have not significantly changed in thirty years," said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  "After several years of working towards a fair resolution, this bill will modernize these laws and allow credit unions to adapt to a financial landscape that has shifted dramatically over the last three decades.  Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her leadership and Senator Eldridge for his dedicated work on this legislation."

"I was very proud to file this legislation this session, given how many of my constituents rely upon credit unions, and how credit unions give back to their customers, and the communities that they are located in," said the bill's sponsor, Senator Eldridge (D-Acton) . "I want to thank the Joint Committee on Financial Services, co-chaired by Senator Jim Welch for reporting the bill favorably, and to Senate Ways and Means Chairman Mike Rodrigues and his staff for prioritizing the legislation. Chairman Rodrigues is a long-time champion of credit unions.  The modernization of credit unions will allow for a more logical and organized system that will better serve the residents of Massachusetts."

"This bill provides much needed modernization to the Credit Union laws and will help to streamline operations in the financial services industry." said Senator James T. Welch (D-West Springfield), Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. "I am glad to see legislation passed as a result of several groups and advocates working together to find a balance of all interests."

Much of the bill focuses on the appropriate balance between giving credit unions greater financial, technological, and regulatory flexibility, while also maintaining oversight and consumer protection. Credit unions are for the first time given the option to hire outside consultants to determine interest rates. While keeping regulations in place that ensure that Massachusetts credit unions are majority local, the bill allows them to take on a larger geographic role with mortgage loans on properties in nearby states. The Commissioner of Banks and the Commissioner of Administration and Finance are both given roles in oversight of credit unions.

Having passed the Senate, the bill now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Passes Bill to Update Credit Union Regulation

Franklin events today!

Catch the show outdoor at THE BLACK BOX, stop by the Farmers Market, visit the yard sale at Franklin Federated Church, and enjoy the Concerts on the Town Common - all today.

• Farmers Market - noon to 6:00 PM

• Concerts on the Common = Friday, July 24

5 - 6:30 PM = "Pub Kings"
6:30 - 8:00 PM = "Frank Padula Band"
8:15 PM - Movie Night = "Toy Story #4"

• Franklin Federated Church Sidewalk sale info

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/sidewalk-sale-franklin-federated-church.html

• THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series 

Ali Funkhouser! Sponsored by Dean Bank. RESCHEDULED to Friday, July 24!
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/the-black-box-ali-funkhouser-i-only.html

Franklin events today!