Representative Garlick voted for a supplemental budget to facilitate federal CARES Act funding to reimburse communities hard-hit by COVID-19.
The spending measure follows the April passage in Congress of the Federal Cares Act, which requires states to expend funds on items related to COVID-19 for federal reimbursement. The supplemental budget directs funds to address vital needs including for personal protective equipment, field hospitals and contact tracing.
The bill also establishes Juneteenth Independence Day on June 19th in Massachusetts, marking the day in 1865 when the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, learned they were free.
The spending bill includes, among other items:
- $350 Million for personal protective equipment costs across the Commonwealth;
- $139 Million for increased rate add-ons to congregate care providers;
- $94 Million for incentive pay for human service employees;
- $85 Million for field hospitals and shelters;
- $44 Million for Community Tracing Collaborative;
- $81.6 Million for child care needs during the pandemic and re-opening;;
- $500,000 to create an Early Education and Care Public-Private Trust Fund to establish an infrastructure to foster public-private and philanthropic efforts in support of childcare providers.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
