Boston Globe: "Mass. offers Internet access help for unemployed"

 From the Boston Globe:

"Massachusetts is offering to help the unemployed find work by providing subsidies for Internet access, and in some cases doling out free equipment.

Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced a program Tuesday at the Springfield Innovation Center that will offer subsidies and tech assistance to unemployed residents, with the goal of helping them find work.

Unemployed individuals are eligible for a subsidy if they live in a Charter or Comcast service territory; residents of other communities may be eligible for a personal cellular hot spot from Verizon. The agency implementing the new service, MassHire, is also connecting individuals with a vendor that is handing out Chromebooks if they do not have a device at home."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/05/business/mass-offers-internet-access-help-unemployed/

Gov Baker tweeted Tuesday with the announcement as one of three made that day  https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1346562007781298177

"Today our Administration launched 3 programs to boost internet connectivity for residents across MA:

• Rightwards arrow New subsidy to assist job-seekers within @MassHireCenter
•  who face tech barriers
• Rightwards arrow WiFi hotspots targeted to Gateway Cities
• Rightwards arrow Expanding @MassBroadband hotspots in Western MA"

 

3 programs to boost internet connectivity for residents across MA

MA House, Senate finish session by moving finish line past midnight

 

"The Massachusetts Legislature on Wednesday morning passed long-awaited agreements on a $627 million economic stimulus bill and a multibillion-dollar transportation borrowing package, but only after bending its own rules — and the calendar — to finally get the proposals to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk.

        Despite giving themselves five extra months to hash out major bills, lawmakers toiled until 4:42 a.m. in a chaotic end to their two-year session. It came well past what was supposed to be a deadline of midnight Tuesday to complete their work, and hours into the same day the new legislative class will be sworn in.

        The last-minute deal on the economic development package featured a measure Baker has long sought to help speed housing production, and it would unlock hundreds of millions in borrowing, including relief for businesses battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers said. The 101-page bill did not include, however, language legalizing sports betting that had passed the House but ran into opposition in the Senate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/05/metro/last-gasp-major-bills-remain-limbo-with-legislature-barreling-toward-end-session/

 

 

"WITH SOME LEGISLATIVE sleight of hand, the House and Senate extended their sessions from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and succeeded in passing most of the major pieces of legislation still pending on Beacon Hill.

A trimmed down transportation bond bill, an economic development bill without sports betting, legislation dealing with college campus sexual violence, and a handful of other measures all made it to the finish line by moving the finish line from Tuesday at midnight, when the legislative session was scheduled to end, to the wee hours of Wednesday morning."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/house-senate-finish-by-moving-finish-line/

  

75 Historic Women Trailblazers of MA

visitMA (@VisitMA) tweeted on Tue, Jan 05, 2021:

Looking to get inspired for the #NewYear? Read about 75  Historic Women Trailblazers of #Massachusetts, who helped shape our state and nation.  #mylocalma @newenglandvisit  

Link to PDF and visitor guide = https://t.co/hseTNdc4rx 

Shared from Twitter = https://t.co/LpsdRTEzyi

75 Historic Women Trailblazers of MA

Franklin, MA: Board of Health Meeting - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021

Franklin Board Of Health

Duly Scheduled Meeting And Public Hearing 

Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 5:00 PM

 

 

AGENDA

1)    Reading and Acceptance of December 2, 2020 meeting minutes

2)    OLD BUSINESS

3)    NEW BUSINESS

• Dashboard update
• Discussion of COVID-19 Vaccine for first responders
• Virtual PIC training grant update
• Messaging grant update
• Local upgrade approval for 441 Maple Street
• Approval of BOH monthly meeting dates for 2021 Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT
 

The agenda doc contains connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-1-6-21.pdf

 

Franklin, MA: Board of Health Meeting - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021

Community Preservation Committee seeks At-Large Candidates

Community Preservation Committee seeks At-Large Candidates

The Town of Franklin seeks interested residents who wish to be a member of the inaugural Community Preservation Committee (CPC). The Town voted overwhelmingly to approve the adoption of the Community Preservation Act at the November 2020 election. The Town Council established a Community Preservation Committee(CPC) in December and is seeking applicants for the four At-Large seats. 

We have opened the application period for the four (4) At-Large resident vacancies. If interested, please fill out the form and required information below. Resumes are optional but preferred and helpful. Application period: Monday, January 4, 2021, through Sunday, January 24, 2021.

If you are interested in serving please apply here:
http://franklinmaboards.vt-s.net/newcaf.php

The new Town bylaw can be found here:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/signed_cpc_bylaw_20-864.pdf

For more information on Community Preservation visit the town website, which will continue to evolve as the program gets active:
https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/cpc_vacancy...

Shared from the Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/community-preservation-committee-seeks-large-candidates
 

Community Preservation Committee seeks At-Large Candidates

Franklin High School Boys Basketball Team fund raiser

The Franklin High School Boys Basketball Team is hosting a virtual raffle to raise money for the program this year. Some of the prizes also support local businesses, so it's a win/win! Please consider donating.

 

Prizes are: 

• $200 Franklin First Gift Card*

• $100 Franklin First Gift Card*

• $100 New England Country Club Gift Card

• Pair of Red Sox Tickets - September 5th vs Cleveland Indians

• $50 Visa Gift Card

 

If you live out of town, a Visa card can be substituted for the Franklin First Gift Cards. Thanks for the support! #snapraise

https://www.snap-raise.com/v2/fundraisers/franklin-boys-basketball-booster-club-2020#/

 

Franklin High School Boys Basketball Team fund raiser

 

The Guardian: "How the 'shecession' will cause long-term harm for women in the US"

"For the first time in history, the US is in a “shecession” – an economic downturn where job and income losses are affecting women more than men. The term was coined by C Nicole Mason, president and chief executive of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), a thinktank.

Mason put forward the term to highlight the disproportionate impact of this economic downturn on women. More than 11 million women have lost their jobs and another 2.65 million have left the workforce since February, according to an IWPR analysis of labor department data.

Mason spoke to the Guardian recently about what needs to change to get an equitable economic recovery."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/04/shecession-women-economy-c-nicole-mason-interview

Direct link to the Institute for Women's Policy Research "Building the Future" report https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policies-for-a-Gender-Equitable-Recovery-Finalsm2.pdf