< Back to Blog


The Garlick Press – Monday, April 26, 2021

Apr 27, 2021

The Garlick Press – Monday, April 26, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today, the House began its debates on the FY22 budget. During the week, my colleagues and I will be debating the over 1,150 amendments that were filed for the budget. Today, the House began by debating the amendments related to revenue, the following amendments were adopted:
  • #413, Film Tax Credit – The Film Tax Credit is an investment in the filmmaking industry that has created thousands of jobs and has supported local economies. The amendment removes the sunset date for the tax credit.
  • #800, Increasing the Conservation Land Tax Credit – There is currently a need to increase the cap for this tax credit so more acreage can be put into protection. This amendment raises the current cap from $2 million to $5 million, over a three year period.
  • #930, Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit – This tax credit is for individuals that have substantially rehabilitated property. This amendment extends sunset date for the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
This evening the House debated and voted on amendments related to education and local aid, social services, and veterans.
Thank you to those who have contacted me regarding the budget and have shared their support for certain amendments. You can follow along this week here: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2022/HouseDebate/Amendments
Additonally, you can find my steps to “How the Budget Becomes Law” here: https://repgarlick.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/How-the-Budget-Becomes-Law.pdf.
Yours in Service,
Denise
Local Updates
  • In Needham, the Town is offering emergency rental assistance to those affected by income loss due to COVID-19. Qualified residents may receive assistance covering 50 percent of their rent for up to six months, if funds remain available. For more information, click here.
  • In Needham, the Needham Employee Resource Group is hosting a discussion for Needham residents and Pediatrician Dr. Olutoyin Fayemi about the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color on May 6 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. The forum includes a presentation and question and answer session. For more information, click here.
  • In Dover, the 2020 Dover Town Report is now online and available for PDF download. The report is no longer mailed to Dover residences and a limited number of hardbound copies are available at the Town House. For more information, click here.
  • In Medfield, the Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention is welcoming the Medfield Community to participate in “Medfield Moves for Mental Health” for the month of May. Community members are encouraged to register and participate by getting up and moving and sharing on social media with the hashtag #MedfieldMovesforMentalHealth. For more information, click here.
Local Calendar
  • In Needham,
  • the Special Town Meeting is Saturday, May 1 at 1:00 PM and the Annual Town Meeting is next Monday, May 3 at 5:00 PM. The Needham Channel is live streaming Town Meeting for residents to watch. For the live stream, click here. For more information on Town Meeting, click here.
  • the Needham SEPAC is meeting on Tuesday, April 27 at 9:30 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes a presentation on approaches to Disciplining Special Education Students. For more information, click here.
  • In Dover,
  • the Annual Town Meeting is this Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 AM. The Town is holding a virtual informational session on Wednesday, April 28 at 1:00 PM to answer Town Meeting questions before Saturday. For more information, click here.
  • the Conservation Commission is meeting on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:30 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes an update on implications for issuance of Mass. Drought Alert Level 2. For the meeting information, click here.
  • In Medfield,
  • the Medfield State Hospital Development Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, April 28 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting has not been posted. For the meeting information, click here.
  • the Energy Committee and Medfield Environment Action are hosting an information session on Thursday, May 6 at 7:30 PM via Zoom. This session will cover Community Choice Aggregation (Warrant Article #21) and Net Zero Climate Goals (#22). For more information, click here.
Statewide Updates
  • The American Rescue Plan delivers new savings for hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents through the Health Connector to lower the cost of health insurance. Individuals that already receive help paying for insurance may receive increased support and individuals that did not qualify may now see lower monthly premiums.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is currently accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants. This program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues
Reopening Updates – Phase 4: New Normal
  • Massachusetts is currently in Phase 4, Step 1 of the Massachusetts reopening plan. Indoor and outdoor stadiums, areas, and ballparks will be permitted to operate at a 12% capacity limit. Additionally, gathering limits for event venues and public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor and indoor gatherings at private residences will remain at the same limit. Dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other event and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. To learn more, click here.
  • If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.
Resources
  • If you are in need of resources, information, or support, please visit my website for a list of resources. Additionally, our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:
Please remember social distancing and wearing a mask is the most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to these updates, my office is still accessible so please continue to reach out and we will get back to you.
Phone: 617-722-2380