Summer Newsletter

Summer Newsletter

Office of Representative Steven Ultrino

At the State House

• H.4818, An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health.

  • Establishes a commission to research and address the racial disparities in maternal health and seeks to remove barriers to quality health care for women of color.

• H.4820, An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19.

  • Establishes early voting by mail and enacts health and safety measures for polling locations to ensure they are in accordance with the Department of Public Health’s recommendations.

• H.4803, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges

  • Allocates $200 million to statewide infrastructure improvements to municipal roads and bridges. This bill contains the $200 million of Chapter 90 funds as well as recommendations for the future of the Fiscal and Management Control Board which governs and oversees the issues involving the MBTA.

• H.4767, An Act addressing challenges faced by food and beverage establishments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Provides relief to food and beverage establishments and addresses many of the challenges imposed by COVID-19.

• S.2618, An Act Providing Additional Support to Those Affected by the Novel Coronavirus Through the Unemployment Insurance System

  • Expands unemployment insurance benefits to cover people who have been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• H.4672, An Act addressing COVID-19 data collection and disparities in treatment

  • Addresses insufficient data collection and disparities in health care and treatment for underrepresented and underserved communities.

Money for Malden

• Temporary staffing for public health nurses in the City of Malden: $75,000

• Temporary staffing for nurses in Malden Public Schools to work with COVID-19 related cases: $75,000

• Language translation services for COVID-19 related materials in the City of Malden: $25,000

• Language translation services for COVID-19 related materials in Malden Public Schools: $25,000

• MassHire Metro North Employment Board was awarded $84,000 through the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development's YouthWorks Grant Program. This funding will support the Pharmacy Tech Career Pathway Program for 15 out-of-school youth (ages 18-21).

• The Malden Public Library received $80,000 through the Mass Cultural Council and MassDevelopment's 2020 Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) awards.

• The City of Malden was awarded $6,449 to aid the purchase of new Washer-Extractors for the Fire Department.

• Malden was awarded $6,963 for the FY20 S.A.F.E. Grant and $2,930 for the FY20 Senior S.A.F.E. Grant to help fund fire prevention education.

In the District

• Mya and Deanna Cook were recognized as Unsung Heroines by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women for their activism and tireless advocacy for communities of color. Mya and Deanna started their fight against racial discrimination when they were penalized at school for wearing their hair in a natural hairstyle. Since age 15, these two sisters have continued to advocate for racial equality, speak out against acts of injustice, and champion the Crown Act to stop hair discrimination. This award is extremely well deserved and the Malden community should be proud of these young women for their courage and tireless activism.

• Malden parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields are now open with certain restrictions. For more information, click here.

• Organized sports and recreational programs are now allowed to open with certain restrictions.

COVID-19 Updates

The COVID-19 Response Center and the administration are releasing new information daily on cases of Coronavirus in the state. As of Wednesday, July 8th: 

Newly reported cases – 162

Newly reported COVID-19 related fatalities in Massachusetts –30

Total patients tested by molecular tests – 910,354

Malden COVID-19 updates

Daily Coronavirus Dashboard

COVID-19 Updates from Governor Baker:

• Reopening Plan: The Governor announced that we are in phase three of the reopening plan, as of July 6th. For the safety of everyone in the Commonwealth, this plan is subject to change as data from the Department of Public Health is released. Visit this link to see more details regarding the reopening plan.

• All Massachusetts residents over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask indoors and outside where social distancing is not feasible.

• As restaurants and more businesses start to reopen,  Massachusetts residents are still encouraged to stay home as much as possible, limit outings, and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Indoor gatherings are limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet, but should not exceed 25 people in a single enclosed, indoor space.

• To keep up to date with announcements from Governor Baker, please visit this link.

  • Updated Press Releases.

COVID-19 Updates from the Federal Government:

• Tax filing deadline: July 15.

• People who are unemployed are eligible to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the CARES Act. Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance here.

COVID-19 Updates from the State Government:

• Unemployment: Self employed individuals and independent contractors can now apply for benefits here.

• Housing: The legislature passed a bill that enacts a moratorium on non-essential evictions and foreclosures amid COVID-19.

Important phone numbers and community resources:

Call 2-1-1 to get current updates about COVID-19 related news and announcements in multiple languages.

Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to receive text updates regarding COVID-19

City of Malden Resources:

Malden Health Department: 781-397-7000 x 2049

Malden Senior Center: 781-397-7144

Malden Treasurer: 781-397-7090

Malden Veterans' Services: 781-397-7139

Domestic Violence/Crisis Help:

Portal to Hope

781-338-7678

portaltohope@aol.com

Housing:

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)

617-357-6000

Housing Families

781-322-9119

Mystic Valley Elder Services

781-324-7705

Food:

Bread of Life

781-397-0404

Fuel Assistance:

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)

617-357-6000

Elder Care:

Mystic Valley Elder Services

781-324-7705

Boston Medical Center-Elders Living at Home Program

617-638-6148

Other Helpful Links:

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Social Distancing Explained

Social Distancing Video

How to Explain the Coronavirus to Children

For more information regarding programs and resources to help individuals and businesses during this time, please visit my website.

If you need assistance of any kind please do not hesitate to call my office at 617-722-2460, or email me at Steven.Ultrino@mahouse.gov. You may also email my Legislative Aide at Sarah.Gonsenhauser@mahouse.gov.

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House Passes Three Critical Bills

HOUSE PASSES THREE CRITICAL BILLS IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE RACIAL INEQUALITY, ELECTORAL ACCESS, AND MEET STATEWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS BOSTON- Representatives Ultrino (D-Malden), Donato (D-Medford), and Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) joined their colleagues in the House of Representatives on Tuesday to pass three critical bills related to racial disparities in health care, voting access during COVID-19, and statewide infrastructure repair needs. H.4818, An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health, seeks to address racial disparities in maternal health by creating a special commission to study these trends and make recommendations that reduce or remove barriers to access for women of color which are causing them to die of pregnancy-related causes at more than double the rate of white women. The commission will research this systemic societal problem in an effort to raise awareness and improving practices that will remedy deeply ingrained inequities. The House passed H.4820, An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19, in an effort to promote electoral engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This bill establishes early voting by mail, so that Massachusetts residents can vote without having to go to the polls on election day. This bill also enacts health and safety measures for polling locations to ensure they are in accordance with the Department of Public Health’s recommendations. Lastly, the House of Representatives passed H.4803, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, which allocates $200 million to statewide infrastructure improvements to municipal roads and bridges. This bill contains the $200 million of Chapter 90 funds as well as recommendations for the future of the Fiscal and Management Control Board which governs and oversees the issues involving the MBTA. “I was proud to join my colleagues in the House to pass these three critical pieces of legislation which will aid municipalities in funding local infrastructure projects, increase civic engagement and voter turnout among Massachusetts residents, and address deep-seated racial inequities in maternal health,” said Representative Ultrino. “These measures are long overdue and I am glad that, in light of recent events, the legislature is making electoral engagement and racial inequality a priority for the Commonwealth.” "These bills that were recently passed in cooperation with my House colleagues address issues that are very important to the citizens of Malden:   racial inequities in maternal health, vote accessibility and infrastructure," said Representative Paul J. Donato.   "We will continue to address the needs of our constituents." “It was a productive week for the House of Representatives!” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “I am glad to join my colleagues in authorizing funding to Malden for ongoing municipal infrastructure work. Our elections bill will ensure that voters have expanded options for safely participating in the fall elections. And as a mother of two young boys, I know how critical perinatal and postpartum supports are for women and their families. I am proud to support the maternal health bill which takes a first, important step in tackling the unconscionable racial inequities in maternal health in the Commonwealth.”   H.4818 and H.4820 will now move to the Senate for a vote, and H.4803 was enacted and sent to the Governor to be signed into law.

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COVID Relief Update 6-27

HOUSE PASSES SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET TO PROVIDE RELIEF AMID COVID-19

BOSTON- Representatives Ultrino (D-Malden), Donato (D-Medford), and Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) joined their colleagues in the House to pass H.4802, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2020 to authorize certain COVID-19 spending in anticipation of federal reimbursement.

This bill is a supplemental budget which aims to provide relief to cities and towns which have suffered as a result of COVID-19. This legislation includes funding for projects in various sectors of state and municipal government, including boards of health, public schools, and transportation. These appropriations are intended to aid the purchase of PPE and temporary medical staffing as well as to support local organizations trying to help families in need.

“I was proud to work alongside my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass this important supplemental budget which will provide much necessary relief to many cities and towns across Massachusetts,” said Representative Ultrino. “The funding that the Malden delegation was able to procure for the city and public schools will be instrumental in providing critical health care services to our residents. In this very uncertain time, it is paramount to be able to have a strong safety net that can support everyone, including our most vulnerable populations.”

"It is vital that cities and towns get state funding for services desperately needed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis," said Representative Donato. "As a member of leadership, I was able to work closely with the Malden delegation to include the funding for Malden in this supplemental budget."

“I am incredibly pleased to have worked with my House colleagues to pass this much-needed supplemental budget,” said Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “The importance of translation services for ensuring that public health resources are accessible to and effective for all Malden families cannot be emphasized enough. I am glad to be a member of the Malden Delegation with Representatives Ultrino and Donato and to be working alongside Mayor Christenson and Superintendent Oteri to speak up for the Malden community.”

Malden received funding for four separate projects in this legislation:

-Temporary staffing for public health nurses in the City of Malden: $75,000

-Temporary staffing for nurses in Malden Public Schools to work with COVID-19 related cases: $75,000

-Language translation services for COVID-19 related materials in the City of Malden: $25,000

-Language translation services for COVID-19 related materials in Malden Public Schools: $25,000

The bill also includes $350 million for personal protective equipment, $139 million in increased rates and add-ons for human service providers, $93 million for human service provider incentive pay, $85 million for field hospitals and shelters, $44 million for contact tracing efforts, and more funding for child care providers, food security programs, emergency housing, and a dedicated fund to address statewide efforts on racial disparities in COVID health care access.

H.4802, which has been engrossed by the House, will now move to the Senate for a vote.