By Bob Katzen

This bill makes health care professionals and health care facilities immune from lawsuits and civil liability for any damages alleged to have been sustained by an act or omission by the health care professional or health care facility in the course of providing health care services during the period of the COVID-19 emergency. Continue reading NO COVID-19 LIABILITY →

By Bob Katzen

Provides additional unemployment insurance relief to low-income families, non-profit institutions and employers. Provisions include ensuring 30 weeks instead of 26 weeks of unemployment compensation during any week in which there are more than 100,000 claims; extending the grace period for contributions for many non-profits that self-insure for unemployment Continue reading IMPROVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS →

By Bob Katzen

$1.1 BILLION FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE (H 4853) – Provides $1.1 billion to cover expenses related to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Baker had been urging the Legislature to quickly get a spending bill to his desk because the state cannot be eligible for federal reimbursements for costs related to COVID-19 until a package is approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor. Continue reading   $1.1 BILLION FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE →

By Bob Katzen

Allows restaurants to sell sealed containers of mixed drinks with take-out and delivery orders. A law passed in April allows restaurants and bars to sell limited quantities of beer and wine, in their original containers, with takeout and delivery orders. That law did not include mixed drinks. Continue reading ALLOW RESTAURANTS TO SELL HARD LIQUOR →

By Bob Katzen

On April 13, Sen. Walter Timilty (D-Milton) filed a bill that would grant indemnity from lawsuits to public and private colleges as a result of any act or omission by the institution when it develops, manufactures, tests or distributes personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to COVID-19, unless the act or omission constitutes willful, wanton or reckless conduct.

Continue reading COLLEGES WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE →

By Bob Katzen

On April 6, Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) filed a bill that would require insurance companies to cover businesses’ costs if they close down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE →

By Bob Katzen

On March 26, Rep. Tami Gouveia (D-Acton) filed a bill that would provide $1,000 to Massachusetts residents with a 1- or 2-person household earning up to $84,000 annually; 3-person household earning up to $105,000 annually; and 4 or more-person households earning up to $131,000 annually. Continue reading ECONOMIC RELIEF →

By Bob Katzen

On March 30, Reps. Paul Mark (D-Peru) and Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) filed a bill that would prevent all increases in rent until 30 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted. Local cities and towns would also have the power to freeze rents in their local communities. Continue reading FREEZE ON RENT INCREASES →

By Bob Katzen

On April 26, Rep. Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford) filed a bill that would create a legal presumption that any COVID-19 diagnosis of a front-line health worker is work-related. Continue reading FRONT LINE HEALTH WORKERS COVID19 DIAGNOSIS PROTECTION →

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We have received many calls over the past few months regarding wild turkeys, specifically the one that hangs out on Summer St and Somerville Ave. Continue reading Somerville Animal Control Updates: Turkey Awareness In Somerville →

Our sincere condolences thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Kathryn “Kathy” (Gorman) Rodrigues on her passing.
Continue reading SOMERVILLE/MEDFORD REMEMBERING KATHRYN (GORMAN) RODRIGUES →

By Arthur Moore

Even though we have the national election coming up, it is only a year away from our city elections. I am really hoping that this time we can get some really good people out there to jump into the race for office. Continue reading Election Year 2021 In Somerville, It’s Time to Start →