June 16, 2021
Gov. Baker Signs COVID-19 Policy Extensions Law
This morning, Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill extending certain pandemic related policies, including cocktails to-go and the extension of outdoor dining. The Legislature worked quickly over the past few days to get Baker a partial compromise on issues of agreement, while continuing to hold discussions on other pandemic related policy matters. The law reinstates certain policies that technically had lapsed with the end of the State of Emergency Order that expired at midnight on June 15th.
The new law extends special permits for expanded outdoor dining, eviction protections and virtual public meetings through April 1, 2022. The law also allows restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails to-go until May 1, 2022.
ATTENTION MA LOTTERY SALES AGENTS
Take Action to Oppose Pending Cashless Lottery and Online Lottery Proposals
RAM members operating as sales agents for the Massachusetts Lottery are urged to take action now to oppose two proposals being considered by the Legislature which threaten to impact your lottery sales business. The first would authorize the sale of lottery products by debit card (Cashless Lottery) and the second would authorize the sale of lottery products online (Online Lottery).
Budget conferees are currently considering whether to include in this year’s final budget a Senate adopted Cashless Lottery proposal. A series of stand-alone Cashless Lottery bills will also be considered by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure (CPPL) at a public hearing scheduled for next Monday, June 21st. The CPPL public hearing on Monday will also include consideration of a series of Online Lottery bills.
As both of these proposals threaten to negatively impact business derived from your lottery sales, RAM is urging members to contact their local elected officials to voice their opposition. RAM has prepared a voter voice campaign to facilitate your communication.
In addition to contacting your local elected official, members may also participate in the CPPL virtual hearing by submitting written testimony via email to [email protected] or registering to present oral testimony before the legislative committee using this form by Friday, June 18th at 5pm.
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