Email feedback@masslive.com. Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting hazardous materials management operations. Title. Includes cold- and frozen-chain logistics for food and critical biologic products. A lock icon ( BOSTON (CBS) -- The Massachusetts Senate on Friday followed the lead of the House and unanimously passed a $4 billion spending bill that includes half a billion Data center operators, including system administrators, HVAC & electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers and purchasers, data transfer solutions engineers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators, for all industries (including financial services). Elections personnel to include both public and private sector elections support. Any questions can be directed to covid19.biz@mass.gov. WebBill No. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mass transit, freight and passenger rail workers, including contracted vendors, providing transit services and/or performing critical or routine maintenance to rail or mass transit infrastructure or equipment. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. "The recommendations shall prioritize lower-income essential workers who performed essential duties in-person since the start of the state of emergency declared by the governor on March 10, 2020," the Senate bill states. Educators and staff supporting emergency childcare programs and residential schools for students with severe disabilities, and public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for purposes of facilitating distance learning, provision of school meals and other essential student support functions, and essential administrative functions necessary to maintain continuity of operations. But, again, 79% of Massachusetts state representatives are on board with their support without taking any interest in the cost of the proposal, and even Zlotnik himself is not troubled by having brought forward a bill with such serious deficiencies. Massachusetts Workers supporting the energy sector, regardless of the energy source (including but not limited to nuclear, fossil, hydroelectric, or renewable), segment of the system, or infrastructure the worker is involved in, or who are needed to monitor, operate, engineer, and maintain the reliability, safety, environmental health, and physical and cyber security of the energy system. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Public agency workers responding to abuse and neglect of children, elders, and dependent adults. You skipped the table of contents section. Environment and Natural Resources. Workers who support financial operations and those staffing call centers, such as those staffing data and security operations centers, managing physical security, or providing accounting services. Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables, buried conduit, small cells, other wireless facilities, and other communications sector-related infrastructure. Workers performing services in support of the elderly and disabled populations who coordinate a variety of services, including health care appointments and activities of daily living. Workers performing security, incident management, and emergency operations functions at or on behalf of healthcare entities including healthcare coalitions, who cannot practically work remotely. 06 May, 2020. BOSTON (CBS) -- Lawmakers from the Massachusetts House and Senate failed to reach a compromise to get a massive spending bill - including a bonus of up to $2,000 for pandemic essential workers - to Gov. This is a BETA experience. Network Operations staff, engineers and/or technicians to include IT managers and staff, HVAC & electrical engineers, security personnel, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators that manage the network or operate facilities. Postal, parcel, courier, last-mile delivery, and shipping and related workers, to include private companies. Eligible workers must have worked in person during the state of emergency that began on March 10, 2020 and lasted for more than a year. Workers at Reliability Coordinator, Balancing Authorities, and primary and backup Control Centers, including but not limited to independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, and local distribution control centers. Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function should only be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance. Providing services related to energy sector fuels (including, but not limited, petroleum (crude oil), natural gas, propane, natural gas liquids, other liquid fuels, nuclear, and coal), supporting the mining, processing, manufacturing, construction, logistics, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance, security, waste disposal and storage, and monitoring of support for resources. First published on November 18, 2021 / 10:10 AM. Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers and maintenance personnel, ramp workers, aviation and aerospace safety, security, and operations personnel and accident investigations. Factors that A&F considers in matching spending with funding sources include eligibility rules,spending deadlines,the availability of new funding sources, and compliance risks. Employees who repair and maintain motor vehicles, subway and rail vehicles, rolling stock, buses, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, bicycles, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers. Bill H.4745 191st (2019 - 2020) An Act providing hazard pay for essential workers in the COVID-19 emergency By Ms. Robinson of Framingham, a petition "The Baker-Polito Administration believes the Legislature's original decision six months ago to freeze these funds and subject them to the legislative process created a massive delay in putting these taxpayer dollars to work," Press Secretary Terry MacCormack said in a statement. Workers supporting the construction of housing, including those supporting government functions related to the building and development process, such as inspections, permitting and plan review services that can be modified to protect the public health, including allowing qualified private third-party inspections accountable to government agencies). This includes construction of new facilities and deployment of new technology as these are required to address congestion or customer usage due to unprecedented use of remote services. Suppliers, designers, transporters and other workers supporting the manufacture, distribution and provision and construction of essential global, national and local infrastructure for computing services (including cloud computing services and telework capabilities), business infrastructure, financial transactions/services, web-based services, and critical manufacturing. WebThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) Federal Funds Office (FFO) is responsible for maximizing federal revenue and minimizing compliance risks associated with federal grants in the Commonwealth. H.3900. Baker Concerned About 'Red Tape' Around $2,000 Bonuses For Trade Officials (FTA negotiators; international data flow administrators). Environment and Natural Resources. Health Care Financing. Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary for agricultural production and distribution. Mass. Bill Would Boost Pensions For Pandemic Government November 11, 2021 / 10:09 AM Workers supporting the energy sector through renewable energy infrastructure or energy efficiency projects (including, but not limited to wind, solar, biomass, hydrogen, ocean, geothermal, and/or hydroelectric), including those supporting construction, manufacturing, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance, monitoring, and logistics. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, COVID-19: Essential Services, is, The below list remains published for reference only. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "We'll take a good look at it over the next several days.". Financial Services. An advisory panel will determine which essential workers qualify for the bonuses. Will those sponsors be willing to vote down the measure? Workers needed for safe and secure operations at nuclear generation to include but not limited to, the broader nuclear supply chain, parts to maintain nuclear equipment, fuel manufacturers and fuel components used in the manufacturing of fuel. Whats more, nowhere in any of the discussion does Zlotnik or any of the bills supporters suggest that among the revisions would be any notion that the state should pay for the added cost up-front. Workers who support radio, television, newspaper and media service, including, but not limited to front-line news reporters, studio, and technicians for newsgathering, and reporting, and publishing news. Petroleum and petroleum product operations control rooms/centers and refinery facilities. Instrumentation, protection, and control technicians. Generator set support workers such as diesel engineers used in power generation including those providing fuel. That round will be based off 2021 tax returns, though logistical details including the amount of the next payment remain an open question. In a statement posted on their website, they criticized the broad coverage acting as an unfunded mandate for municipalities, including workers even if they had worked outside their home for a single day, encompassing both blue collar and white collar workers. Pharmacy employees necessary to maintain uninterrupted prescription filling. Workers necessary for the manufacturing of metals (including steel and aluminum), industrial minerals, semiconductors, materials and products needed for medical supply chains, and for supply chains associated with transportation, energy, communications, information technology, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, wood products, commodities used as fuel for power generation facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, processing and reprocessing of solid waste, emergency services, and the defense industrial base. It is in recognition of that effort that we offer this bill., However, at the time, Rep. Ken Gordon questioned Zlotnik on whether or not a financial or fiscal analysis had been conducted relative to the cost that would be incurred if the legislation was signed into law, and Zlotnick admitted that no such calculation had been made, and Zlotnik said he recognizes that many details associated with the proposal still need to be contemplated.. The Administration urges lawmakers to move quickly on this issue. workers should expect to receive $500 payments over the next week, Beacon Hill must ensure sports betting legislation is equitable for Black and Brown businesses, senators told in new letter, We have the will: Mental health bill gaining traction on Beacon Hill, with House Speaker Ron Mariano backing reform. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Workers who support sawmills and the manufacture and distribution of fiber and forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood and fiber products. Retail fuel centers such as gas stations and truck stops, and the distribution systems that support them. As always, youre invited to comment at JaneTheActuary.com! The program still has million of dollars to dole out to essential workers. Employees supporting personal and commercial transportation services including taxis, delivery services, vehicle rental services, bicycle maintenance and car-sharing services, and transportation network providers. FFOs role in compliance for federal funds, including compliance resources for municipalities and state agencies. https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator, Massachusetts Coalition For Occupational Safety And Health, Families of Fallen Workers Support Services, https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator, Worker Health and Safety Agenda for the 2021 Legislative Session, Essential Worker Bill of Rights in Massachusetts, Act to Prevent Wage Theft, Promote Employer Accountability, and Enhance Public Enforcement. Workers supporting communications systems and information technology- and work from home solutions- used by law enforcement, public safety, medical, energy, public works, critical manufacturing, food & agricultural production, financial services, education, and other critical industries and businesses. The spending package, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is now headed to Gov. Relative to ensuring transparent ticket pricing. For legislation relative to pesticides. Workers who produce or manufacture parts or equipment that supports continued operations for any essential services and increase in remote workforce (including computing and communication devices, semiconductors, and equipment such as security tools for Security Operations Centers (SOCs) or datacenters). Supporting new and existing construction projects, including, but not limited to, pipeline construction. For legislation to save recycling costs in the commonwealth. COVID Essential Pay Program: Which Massachusetts Workers in hardware and building materials stores, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail, and related merchant wholesalers and distributors - with reduced staff to ensure continued operations. Federal, State, and Local, Tribal, and Territorial employees who support Mission Essential Functions and communications networks. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The below list remains published for reference only. Did you qualify to receive the $500 essential worker payment? Workers responsible for handling property management, maintenance, and related service calls who can coordinate the response to emergency at-home situations requiring immediate attention, as well as facilitate the reception of deliveries, mail, and other necessary services. Workers including contracted vendors - who support the operation, inspection, maintenance and repair of essential public works facilities and operations, including roads and bridges, water and sewer, laboratories, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, and maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations. The bill also includes $500 million for the unemployment insurance trust fund, $400 million in mental health and behavioral support, and hundreds of millions of dollars for climate preparedness, education, housing, economic recovery and workforce development. Massachusetts The Massachusetts Essential Worker Pension Boost Proposal Is A Case Study In Public Pension Failures More From Forbes Mar 19, 2023,03:11pm EDT Clean Bill S Local and state inspectors and administrative support of inspection services who are responsible for the inspection of elevators, escalators, lifts, buildings, plumbing and gas fitting, electrical work, and other safety related professional work. / CBS Boston. Baker's administration and an advisory panel would determine who exactly qualifies as an "essential worker." / CBS Boston. Relative to parental rights in education. Please let us know how we can improve this page. WebActive Massachusetts Bills ( Introduced, Engrossed, Enrolled, Passed) For legislation to promote economic opportunities for cottage food entrepreneurs. Relative to promoting comprehensive transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. All employees of the state, its political subdivisions, and its public colleges and universities, a bonus of three years added to age or years of service or a combination thereof for the purpose of calculating a retirement benefit, if, at any point between March 10, 2020 and December 21, 2020, they had volunteered to work or who [had] been required to work at their respective worksites or any other worksite outside of their personal residence.. Now, whether this bill ultimately becomes law is still unknown. Operational staff and technical support for SCADA Control systems. Workers at hotels, motels, inns, and other lodgings providing overnight accommodation, but only to the degree those lodgings are offered or provided to accommodate the COVID-19 Essential Workforce, other workers responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and vulnerable populations. Bill H.2808 - malegislature.gov One way or the other, this is a prime case study in how pensions become so underfunded, as it is always far more popular to promise benefits than to pay for them. An Act relative to providing a COVID-19 retirement credit to essential public-sector workers By Representative Zlotnik of Gardner and Senator Velis, a joint petition WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller noted, $25,000 for a marker commemorating the designers of Riverbend Park in Cambridge, Restoring obscure historic buildings in out-of-the-way spots, like $75,000 for the Wilder Homestead in Buckland, $40,000 for the Jenkes Store in Douglas, and $50,000 to spruce up a gazebo in Townsend, $85,000 to improve The Brookline Chamber of Commerce website (, $200,000 to spruce up the middle school field soccer field in Hanson, $5 million to cover debts at the Edward Kennedy Institute. Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential dams, locks and levees. Community Property Estate Planning Not So Simple, Calculating The Right Number Of Bank Accounts For Your Solo Business, Most Likely President Joe Biden Will Live Through A Second Term, Life Expectancy Data Show, Why Women Are Better (Investors) Than Men, Older Adults With Middle Incomes Are Trapped In The Affordable Housing Gap, Inherit A Roth IRA? Maintenance of communications infrastructure- including privately owned and maintained communication systems- supported by technicians, operators, call -centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, Internet Exchange Points, Points of Presence, Network Access Points, back haul and front haul facilities, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment. Learn more about businesses and organizations that were designated as providing COVID-19 Essential Services before the launch of the Commonwealth's reopening plan. All businesses and organizations that provided COVID-19 Essential Services were included in Phase 1 of the reopening plan. Farmers, farm workers, support service workers, and their supplier employees to include those engaged in producing and harvesting field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; biodiesel and renewable diesel facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs. The $3.65 billion package also includes $500 million in bonuses to both private- and public-sector essential workers who worked in-person during the Covid-19 state of emergency. Workers at renewable energy infrastructure (including, but not limited to wind, solar, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, and/or hydroelectric), including those supporting construction, manufacturing, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance, monitoring, and logistics. Workers who support the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military.