Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee Hold Hearing on the Commonwealth’s Unemployment Insurance Systems

(Boston – 12/10/2021) Today the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee held a hearing to learn more on the performance of the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance system, as well as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. This is part of the committee’s review of these systems as they work to identify any necessary legislative, regulatory and budgetary changes.

“Just how devastating the pandemic has been on people throughout the Commonwealth is hard to put into words,” said Senator Moore. “Because of this devastating impact, there was an incredibly high volume of people who were seeking unemployment benefits, many of whom faced difficulties throughout the process. The goal of our hearing today was to better understand our unemployment systems so that we are prepared should we ever be faced with such a difficult scenario again. I thank everyone who testified today as their information is valuable to us as we continue our review. 

"We heard from so many of our constituents about how crucial unemployment benefits were during the pandemic. We also heard from too many who faced barriers and delays in getting those benefits. It's important to learn from both the successes and problems so we can be prepared for the future." said Senator Jehlen. 

At the hearing, the Committee heard from Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta, as well as First Assistant Inspector General Natalie Monroe from Office of the Massachusetts Inspector General, Division Chief Geoffrey Wood from the Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit at the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, Employment Rights Coalition, National Federation of Independent Business of Massachusetts, and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.

During her testimony Secretary Acosta stated that a new report detailing the current state of the unemployment insurance trust fund would be made available at the end of the month, and that the Baker administration plans to borrow some of the $7 billion authorized by the legislature to keep the fund stable. Secretary Acosta also told the committee the current balance of the trust fund is expected to be lower than the $2.9 billion it is currently estimated to contain by the U.S. Treasury. Secretary Acosta also made clear that $2.3 billion of the fund must be paid back to the federal government by next November, and that the state also owes $400 million in credits to employers. Secretary Acosta also reported that there have been roughly 100,000 cases of overpayment in both the unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program.

First Assistant Inspector General Natalie Wood told the committee that from March to November 2020, there were 2,020 complaints on the unemployment insurance system. Division Chief Geoffrey Wood reported to the committee that there have been 13 fraud referrals from the DUA in 2021, but there have been no convictions related to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

The hearing was Chaired by Senator Michael Moore, who was joined by Vice Chair Senator Jamie Eldridge, as well as committee members Senator Patricia Jehlen and Senator Harriette Chandler.

Oral testimony was only provided by those who were invited to speak, however, the committee is still accepting written public testimony. Written testimony can be submitted by webform, which can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/vreMEkYq4sRLdcRP7. The livestream of the hearing was also recorded, and this can be watched here: https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4114.

The Senator Post Audit and Oversight Committee is thankful for the testimony delivered by all the invited speakers, as they continue to review the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance system and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. Further information on the committee can be found here: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/S48.

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Senator Moore Joins Colleagues in a Letter to Governor Baker Regarding Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Data

(Boston – 12/07/2021) Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) has joined several of his colleagues in writing a letter to Governor Baker in an attempt to gain clarity on the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance trust fund.

“The lack of transparency being offered by the Baker Administration regarding the trust fund deficit has been disappointing, to say the least,” remarked Senator Moore. “Having this information is crucial in allowing us to take steps in replenish the fund, and more importantly, it is much needed by employers so that they can determine what financial commitments they may have to make. The fact that we have not seen the numbers since June is unacceptable, and I hope that this data will now be provided to us and the public in a timely manner.”

This request for clarity stems from the lack of communication from the Baker Administration regarding the balance of the trust fund. The Administration had been providing monthly financial reports on the account, but has not provided one since June, when the balance was $1.77 billion in the red.

Due to the lack of transparency and with minimal information being made available, it has been difficult for policy makers to determine the necessary steps they may need to replenish the funds.

This has subsequently created a great deal of uncertainty among small businesses throughout the Commonwealth, as the lack of information has left them unsure as to payments they may be required to make, as initially advised by the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Additionally, there is a great deal of speculation that a portion of the current UI trust fund deficit can be attributed to fraud and overpayments. There could be as much as $1.6 billion in UI overpayments in the Commonwealth, according to research conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures and the U.S. Department of Labor.  

Senator Moore and his colleagues, have requested that a financial report be made available as soon as possible so that proper measures may be taken by the legislature. This would also provide necessary information to small businesses owners throughout the state.

In sending this letter, Senator Moore was joined by Senator Diana DiZoglio, Senator Ryan Fattman, Senator James Eldridge, Representative David Allen Robertson, Representative Lenny Mirra, Representative Vanna Howard and Representative Patrick J. Kearney.

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Legislature Passes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), FY21 Surplus Spending Bill

(BOSTON–12/03/2021) Today, the Massachusetts Legislature advanced a $4 billion bill to the governor’s desk that directs federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funding to assist the Commonwealth’s ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on making equitable investments and prioritizing communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the legislation delivers targeted supports to workers and businesses, and the critical sectors of housing, health care, mental and behavioral health, climate preparedness, education, and workforce development.

“I am glad that after such a long process we have now passed legislation that will make vital funds available for communities and individuals who have been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “We were presented with a unique opportunity with these funds, which has allowed us to make crucial investments into many different areas, such as behavioral health, climate change resiliency, and small businesses, among many others. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Senate as well as our partners in the House for their efforts in getting this bill brought before the Governor’s desk.”

Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Legislature voted to transfer the state’s $4.8 billion allocation from ARPA, which must be allocated by 2024, into a separate fund to ensure stakeholder and resident engagement in a public process. Following six public hearings and more than a thousand pieces of testimony received, the House’s and Senate’s spending proposals were unanimously approved by each chamber, resulting in the comprise bill which advances to the Governor’s desk today. This bill utilizes $2.55 billion in ARPA funds and $1.45 billion in FY21 surplus funds.

Notable investments included in the bill are as follows:                         

Economic Recovery and Workforce Development

  • $500 million for premium pay bonuses for essential workers, up to $2,000 per worker

  • $500 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, providing necessary relief to business

  • $100 million for vocational school infrastructure and capacity building needs

  • $37.5 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to support organizations working with people displaced from jobs during the pandemic, historically underserved populations, and individuals reentering their communities from the corrections system

  • $50 million for equitable and affordable broadband access and infrastructure improvements to close the digital divide

  • $135 million for Mass Cultural Council to support the cultural sector

  • $75 million for small businesses, including $50 million for direct grants to historically underserved populations and minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses and $25 million for nascent businesses

  • $15 million for regional high-demand workforce training at community colleges

  • $25 million for the expansion of Career Technical Institutes

  • $24.5 for workforce development and capital assistance grants to the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, as well $4.5 million for the YWCAs

  • $20 million for the resettlement of Afghan evacuees and Haitian evacuees

  • $15 million to enhance and diversify the cybersecurity sector with partnerships between public higher education institutions and private businesses

  • $14 million for agricultural economy supports

  • $10 million for regional tourism councils

Affordable Housing and Homeownership

  • $150 million for supportive housing, including $65 million for the chronically homeless population, and $20 million to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for veterans not primarily served by the Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea or Holyoke

  • $150 million for public housing authorities to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure

  • $115 million for the CommonWealth Builder Program to support housing production and promote homeownership among residents of disproportionately impacted communities

  • $115 million for affordable rental housing production and preservation for the workforce and low- and moderate-income individuals

  • $65 million for homeownership assistance tools, including down payment assistance, and mortgage interest subsidy supports

Mental and Behavioral Health, Public Health and Health Care

  • $400 million in mental and behavioral health supports, including $122 million for workforce loan repayment programs for behavioral health and substance use professionals

  • $300 million for the Home and Community-Based Services Federal Investment Fund to address workforce needs for those caring for vulnerable populations

  • $200.1 million to support the state’s local and regional public health infrastructure

  • $260 million for acute hospitals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

  • $44.8 million for food security infrastructure, including $17 million for the Greater Boston Food Bank for regional food security network improvements across the Commonwealth, $5 million for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, $2 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to provide loans, grants and technical assistance in a regionally equitable manner to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, $1.92 million for Project Bread to better connect eligible unenrolled residents with federal nutrition programs statewide and $1 million for the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. for the operation of empowerment centers and to support the distribution of food to veterans in need

  • $30 million to support a robust and diverse home health care and human service workforce through recruitment, retention, and loan forgiveness programming

  • $50 million for nursing facilities, including $25 million for capital support to increase the quality of patient care and $25 million for workforce initiatives

  • $25million for youth-at-risk supports and grant programs for community violence prevention and re-entry organizations, focused on communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

  • $25million for youth summer and school-year jobs

  • $5 million for Health Care For All to conduct a community-based MassHealth redetermination and vaccination outreach, education, and access campaign targeted in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic

  • $5 million for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission to study and review the interrelationship between service-providing agencies for individuals with disabilities within the Commonwealth and to design and implement a system for an interconnected network that will provide a continuum of care for those individuals

  • $2 million for unreimbursed COVID-19 costs for Early Intervention providers

  • $500,000 to establish transportation services for participants in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Treatment Courts

Climate Preparedness

  • $100 million for water and sewer infrastructure investments through the Clean Water Trust

  • $100 million for environmental infrastructure grants, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program

  • $90 million for marine port infrastructure investments focused on the promotion of offshore wind development

  • $25 million for Greening the Gateway Cities program to support tree planting

  • $15 million for parks and recreational assets

  • $7.5 million for community colleges to help train underserved populations for green jobs

  • $6.5 million for clean energy retrofitting in affordable housing units

  • $5 million for the advancement of geothermal technologies

Education

·       $100 million to improve indoor air-quality in schools and support healthy learning environments for grants to public school districts with high concentrations of low-income students, English language learners, and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19

·       $75 million for capital and maintenance projects for higher education

·       $25 million for the Endowment Incentive Program at the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges

·       $20 million for special education, including $10 million for workforce development

·       $10 million for programs focused on recruiting and retaining educators of color

Accountability and Oversight

To support communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and prioritize historically underserved populations, the bill establishes an equity and accountability review panel for federal funds to track in near real-time the amount and percentage of ARPA funds spent in these communities and awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. The bill also takes steps to ensure minority-owned and women-owned business have fair participation on procurements issued under the act. 

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The Grafton Police Department is Providing Free Winter Jackets to Veterans as Part of the Coats 4 Vets Program

(Grafton – 11/30/2021) Grafton Police Chief Normand Crepeau, alongside Senator Moore and Representative Muradian, have announced that the Grafton Police Department will be providing free winter jackets to veterans as part of the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s Coats 4 Vets program.

“We owe so much to our veterans, and we, in turn, owe it to them to give back as much as possible whenever we can,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “As the weather gets colder and colder, I am grateful to the Coats 4 Vets program for their passion and drive to make sure our local veterans receive a warm coat for the winter season. I am also very proud that the Grafton Police Department will be taking part in making sure our veterans are cared for.”

“Our veterans have put their lives on the line to ensure our safety and freedom,” stated Representative Muradian. “Supporting our veterans and providing them a warm coat, along with other basic necessities for the winter, is the least we can do given their service.”

“The Grafton Police Department is grateful to take part in the Coats 4 Vets distribution program to ensure that local veterans have a warm coat and other basic necessities throughout the winter season,” said Grafton Chief of Police Normand Crepeau. “Anything we can do to assist our veterans is but a small token of appreciation for their service and sacrifice for our country.”

The Massachusetts Military Support Foundation has been collecting coats from people across the Commonwealth and has now distributed them to locations across the state so that they can now be given to veterans in need. 

Any veteran in Grafton or the greater Central Massachusetts area may pick up their free winter coat at the Grafton Police Department. Anyone interested in picking up a coat may also call the station directly for information on what is available. The Grafton Police Department can be reached at 508-839-5343, and is located at 28 Providence Rd, Grafton, MA 01519.

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Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee to hold Hearing on December 10th

(Boston – 11/29/2021) Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury), Chair of the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee, announced today that the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee will hold a virtual hearing on December 10, 2021 at 1:00pm. The hearing will be part of the Committee’s review of the performance of the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance system, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, during the COVID-19 pandemic as it works to identify necessary legislative, regulatory and budgetary changes.  

At the December 10 hearing, the Committee plans to hear from Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Acosta, as well as State Auditor Bump, Greater Boston Legal Services, National Federation of Independent Business of Massachusetts, and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Oral testimony will be solicited by invitation only.  

The Committee has created a webform to gather public testimony. That form can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/vreMEkYq4sRLdcRP7.

The hearing will be conducted virtually and will be livestreamed to the General Court’s website. A link to the meeting will be able on https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Joint/Calendar/12-01-2021. More information on the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee can be found at https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/S48.

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Senator Moore is Appointed to the Commonwealth’s Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Surveys

(Boston – 09/15/2021) Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) is pleased to announce that today he was appointed to the Commonwealth’s Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Surveys. He was sworn in this afternoon by the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions. The task force will be Co-Chaired by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH).

“Ensuring the safety of students on college campuses throughout the Commonwealth has always been one of my main priorities,” said Senator Moore. “I am both proud and honored to be appointed to this task force and I remain committed to these efforts as we look to make Massachusetts a nationwide leader in responding to and preventing sexual misconduct at higher education institutions.”

The task force is composed of 27 individuals who will be responsible for developing model questions that will be used in mandated sexual misconduct climate surveys. These surveys will need to be conducted every four years at public and private colleges and universities in Massachusetts.

The task force itself has been formed as a result of Senator Moore’s legislation, An Act relative to sexual violence on higher education campuses, which was signed into law this past January as Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2020. This is a nation leading piece of legislation that creates the proper framework for higher education campuses to identify, prevent and respond to incidents of sexual misconduct.

Senator Moore’s Cybersecurity Legislation is Favorably Reported out of Committee

(Boston – 09/14/2021) Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) can announce that today, his bill S.2088, an Act establishing a cybersecurity control and review commission, has been favorably reported out of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

“I think that given the severity of some of the cyberattacks we have witnessed throughout the rest of the country, we can count ourselves lucky in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Moore. “However, we are by no means immune to attacks that could threaten our technological and physical infrastructure or endanger the wellbeing and safety of our residents. This bill is a necessary step in improving our cybersecurity systems, and I thank Senator Pacheco and the other committee members for reporting this bill out favorably.”

“Cybersecurity is a critical priority for protecting the integrity of our public and private sector servers and the private information of internet users throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration & Regulatory Oversight.  “The type of information that cyberattacks inherently target is simply too sensitive to leave unguarded.  I am pleased that the Joint Committee on State Administration & Regulatory Oversight had the opportunity to advance this important legislation sponsored by Senator Moore that will identify threats and implement fundamental safeguards against cybercrime.”

This legislation comes at a critical time as the Commonwealth has been subject to several cyberattacks over the previous weeks and months. Earlier this spring, no one in the state was able to complete their vehicle inspection process due to a malware attack on the vendor who tracks these inspections. Just over a month ago the Massachusetts Steamship Authority suffered a ransomware attack that put a halt to the booking process for those trying to commute to and from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Additionally, according to FBI data, residents in Massachusetts lost approximately $100 million to cybercrimes in 2020. This legislation is also important giving the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks from foreign actors, such as those from Russia or China, who have already succeeded in stealing personal and sensitive pieces of data from various U.S. based companies and government agencies. 

The bill would establish an expert commission to recommend cybersecurity standards for public agencies and private companies that contract with the Commonwealth. These standards would be based on best practices set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. The commission would also work with private businesses that have a demonstrated track record of adhering to strong cybersecurity standards.

Having now been favorably reported out of committee, the bill will appear before the legislature for a first reading. The progress of the bill can be followed along here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2088

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Senator Moore Writes Letter to the ATF in Support of Proposed Rule on the Definition of “Frame and Receiver”

Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) has sent a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in support of their proposed rule entitled Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms.

The proposed change to these definitions would clarify when a firearm parts kit can be considered a firearm, while also addressing the advancements in firearms technology. These new definitions would help stop the production of Ghost Guns.

“While I support the Second Amendment, ensuring the safety of everyone in our communities is of the utmost importance,” said Senator Moore. “Ghost guns are a threat to this safety as it allows firearms to be acquired without going through the necessary procedures, such as background checks. States and the federal government must create regulations that eradicate ghost guns while respecting the rights of our law-abiding citizens.”

Ghost guns are unregulated, unlicensed and untraceable firearms that can be bought by anyone, regardless of age or previous criminal activity. They are sold in kits or as separate pieces, allowing a person to assemble the weapon within their own home. This allows individuals to avoid background checks, red flag laws and other standards that are otherwise commonplace when purchasing a gun.

Ghost guns directly threaten the progress made by the Commonwealth and other states to establish reasonable restrictions on firearm ownership. While serving as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, Senator Moore helped to advance bill S.1540 that would have prevented the sale and assembly of ghost guns in Massachusetts. While the advancement of this bill had to be put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is considerable support for state action.

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Senator Moore Submits Resolution Commending the First Responders to the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol

(Boston – 08/09/2021) Senator Michael Moore has submitted a resolution to the Senate commending the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia for their actions in protecting the United States Capitol during the January 6th attack.

“January 6th of this year was a dark day in our nation’s history,” said Senator Moore (D-Millbury). “The brave men and women of the Capitol Police and DC Police Department put their lives on the line to protect those within the walls of our nation’s Capital from an attack by fellow Americans. These events directly resulted in several officers losing their lives. These brave officers defended our democracy, the very cornerstone of freedom, and the foundation of the Government of the United States of America and I feel that it is only right that we recognize and commend these officers for their courageous actions.”

During the attack that took place, the Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department heroically defended the lives of the members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate, as well as their staff. Their actions were crucial in preserving democracy, the foundation of the United States Government.

Over 100 officers were injured during the events that took place on January 6th. Tragically, one officer died the following day and four took their own lives in the days that followed.  In addition to physical wounds, the emotional injuries sustained by the officers and their families will linger into the future.

The bravery displayed by the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department, as well as their sacrifice, will be remembered for years to come. Through this resolution, the Massachusetts State Senate commends the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department and extends gratitude to the officers.

 

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