Massachusetts Legislature to Approve a $15 Million Coronavirus Outbreak Fund

The following is a press release from Senate President Karen Spilka’s office.

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BOSTON – Senate and House leaders today, March 10, announced they would take up a supplemental budget to create a $15 million fund in response to the recent and rapid rise in Massachusetts of COVID-19 cases.

The House and Senate will take up a supplemental budget next week.

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“Public health emergencies demand immediate action from government, and the House today, alongside its partners in the Senate, committed to taking up legislation in direct response to the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop).  “I thank Chair Michlewitz for his efforts to drive legislation in reaction to this crisis and his ongoing focus on public health in general. I also want to thank our Senate partners especially Senate President Spilka and Chair Rodrigues for joining with us to support these policies.”

“The Senate’s number one priority is to safeguard the health of our residents,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D – Ashland). “We are therefore pleased that the House has joined with us to work swiftly and closely to move this funding package forward, which will better prepare our Commonwealth for the impacts of the COVID-19 virus. I would like to thank Chair Rodrigues for initiating these efforts, as well as Speaker DeLeo and Chair Aaron Michlewitz for their partnership on developing this supplemental budget. In the meantime, residents should continue to follow Department of Public Health (DPH) recommendations and take preventative measures.”

“Ensuring that the Commonwealth is fully prepared for what lies ahead is critical,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D – Boston).  “We in the Legislature are fully committed to allocating the resources that are needed so that the citizens of the Commonwealth are better protected.”

“As COVID-19 continues to spread across our Commonwealth and disrupt the day-to-day actions of our residents, we must do all that we can to better prepare and respond to this immediate public health crisis,” said Senator Michael Rodrigues, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D – Westport). “Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Spilka, and the collaborative partnership of Speaker DeLeo and Chair Michlewitz, we are acting rapidly to address this coronavirus outbreak with this supplemental budget that will provide an immediate infusion of $15 million to enhance our state and local response efforts to combat, contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19.”