July 31, 2020

MA Legislature Extends Formal Session

The Massachusetts House and Senate this week agreed to discard their rule dictating a July 31 end of formal sessions, opting instead to extend the session without a new deadline.  The extension will allow the Legislature more time to complete work on a number of issues currently before conference committees, as well as respond to time sensitive COVID-19 related matters, and craft an FY21 state budget proposal once they get a better sense as to possible federal relief levels.  Issues in conference include policing reform, economic development, transportation and IT bonds, and climate change.

Sales and the Economy Survey

To better represent our members with our public policy leaders, the press and opinion leaders, RAM would like to get a snapshot of where our industry stands more than four months into the crisis, and over half way through 2020.  Please take a few moments of your time to give us your important feedback.  Click here to begin.

Thank you for your assistance.

New State Holiday: Juneteenth Independence Day

Governor Charlie Baker recently signed into law a bill that included language to establish and designate June 19th as a state holiday, "Juneteenth Independence Day," commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.  The language inserted the holiday into the section of law requiring voluntary work in retail stores and aligned it with statutorily required, yet declining, retail premium pay in 2021 and 2022. 

Gov. Baker Issues New Travel Order
Effective August 1

Starting August 1, all visitors and Massachusetts residents returning home, including students returning to campuses for the fall semester, must fill out a “Massachusetts Travel Form” and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a COVID-19 lower risk state or they can produce a negative COVID-19 test result administered no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts, or they are included in one of the other, limited exemptions.  Exemptions include but are not limited to workers who regularly commute, at least weekly, outside of or into Massachusetts.The travel order and other detailed information is available at www.mass.gov/MAtraveler.  Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.

Gov. Baker Announces MaskUpMA Efforts

Today, Gov. Baker launched MaskUpMA to remind people to wear masks in public. Wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help Massachusetts move in the right direction.

RAM supports this important effort to keep our small businesses and our Main Streets open by giving our consumers the confidence to BuyInMA!   

Click here to learn more.

 

GlobeConnects Job Fair

GlobeConnects is a series of virtual job fairs targeted to help provide resources and networking opportunities for job seekers to find work and for employers to connect with prospective new hires. GlobeConnects will kick off with three targeted virtual events, each a specific response to market and workforce needs amid the Covid-19 pandemic:

August 5: Series kicks off with a general job fair focused on full time and part time positions
August 19: Series opens up a job fair focused on early career positions and fall internships
September 9: Series is capped off with our “Building diverse and equitable workplaces” fair focused on providing an opportunity for organizations and individuals committed to investing in greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

RAM members that are hiring are offered a complimentary booth.  You can find more information at globe.com/jobs and enter code CONNECT for the comped booth.