By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter   Jan 28, 2021
Jan 28, 2021
BOSTON â President Joe Biden has pledged to provide more support for small businesses hammered by the financial impact of coronavirus pandemic, and while the stateâs business leaders say theyâre optimistic that more aid will be coming, theyâre also worried some of the new administrationâs policies may hurt them.
Biden, who was sworn into office Jan. 20, is proposing a $1.9 trillion relief package that would provide $440 billion for businesses, including a $15 billion grant program to help the hardest hit businesses and $175 billion for small business lending and investment programs.
But the Democrat also wants to double the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, expand mandates for paid leave for workers and implement other policies that business leaders say could drag on the countryâs economic recovery.
Gov. Charlie Baker delivers his televised State of The Commonwealth address from his ceremonial State House office. (Erin Clark/Boston Globe/Pool via SHNS)
Gov. Charlie Baker sought to reassure an impatient public Tuesday night that their chance to get vaccinated from COVID-19 would come, but the governor also used the unusual circumstances of his State of the Commonwealth address to offer people encouragement after a trying year.
Instead of laying out a detailed policy agenda, Baker s remarks revolved almost entirely around how Massachusetts has and continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. He offered no further glimpses into the budget he intends to file Wednesday, or hint at any legislation he might be working on.
BOSTON – Gov. Charlie Baker sought to reassure an impatient public Tuesday night that their chance to get vaccinated from COVID-19 would come, but he also used the unusual circumstances of his annual State of the Commonwealth address to offer people encouragement after a trying year.
Instead of laying out a detailed policy agenda, Baker s remarks revolved almost entirely around how Massachusetts has and continues to respond to the COVID-10 pandemic.
He offered no further glimpses into the budget that he s scheduled to file Wednesday, or hint at any legislation he might be working on. The end is in sight – but for the next few months, we must continue to stay vigilant and take steps to stop the spread, Baker said. Know this – we will beat this virus. And life will begin to return to normal.
Gov. Charlie Baker delivers 2021 State of the State Address
Matt Murphy
State House News Service
Gov. Charlie Baker sought to reassure an impatient public Tuesday night that their chance to get vaccinated from COVID-19 would come, but the governor also used the unusual circumstances of his State of the Commonwealth address to offer people encouragement after a trying year.
Instead of laying out a detailed policy agenda, Baker s remarks revolved almost entirely around how Massachusetts has and continues to respond to the COVID-10 pandemic. He offered no further glimpses into the budget he intends to file Wednesday, or hint at any legislation he might be working on.