Massachusetts Must Pay Back $2.5 Billion in Federal Unemployment Aid

Massachusetts Must Pay Back $2.5 Billion in Federal Unemployment Aid

The state of Massachusetts is facing a $2.5 billion bill for unemployment benefits that it paid out during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state used federal money to pay the benefits, but now it must repay the money to the federal government.

The state’s unemployment trust fund was depleted during the pandemic, as millions of people filed for unemployment benefits. The state borrowed $2.5 billion from the federal government to pay the benefits. The state is now required to repay the money to the federal government by 2029. 

How did this happen?

Massachusetts is one of several states that used federal money to pay unemployment benefits during the pandemic. The federal government provided states with $350 billion in unemployment benefits through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The CARES Act allowed states to use the money to pay unemployment benefits without having to worry about repaying the money until September 2021. However, after September 2021, states must repay the money they borrowed from the federal government.

What are the implications?

The $2.5 billion bill that Massachusetts is facing is a significant challenge for the state. The state is already facing a budget shortfall, and the repayment of the loan will add to the state’s financial problems.

The state is considering a number of options to repay the loan, but no decision has been made yet. The state’s decision on how to repay the loan will have a significant impact on the state’s economy and budget.

What can be done to prevent this from happening again?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a unique event, and it is unlikely that the state will experience another economic downturn of this magnitude in the near future. However, the state can take steps to prepare for future economic downturns.

The state can build up its unemployment trust fund so that it has a reserve of money to pay unemployment benefits during economic downturns. The state can also develop a plan for how to repay unemployment benefits that are paid with federal money.

Cambridge City Council Considers Overhauling Police Review Board After Police Murder of Sayed Faisal

Cambridge City Council Considers Overhauling Police Review Board After Police Murder of Sayed Faisal

The Cambridge City Council’s Public Safety Committee is considering overhauling the Police Review and Advisory Board (PRB) in the wake of the recent police murder of Sayed Faisal.

Faisal, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police on January 4th, 2023. Police said that they were responding to a call about a man who may be harming himself, and witnesses say that Faisal was unarmed and running away from police when he was shot.

The murder of Faisal has led to protests and calls for justice from the community. City Councilor Quinton Zondervan has proposed that the PRB be given more power to investigate police misconduct and to discipline officers. He has also proposed that the board be elected by the public instead of appointed by the city manager.

The PRB’s current structure was created in 1992. The board is made up of 11 members, who are appointed by the city manager. The board meets quarterly to discuss police-community relations and to review complaints against police officers. However, the board has no power to investigate police misconduct or to discipline officers.

Zondervan’s proposal has been met with mixed reactions. Some community activists have welcomed the proposal, saying that it would give the PRB more power to hold police accountable. Others have expressed concerns that the board would become too politicized if it were elected by the public.

The Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Zondervan’s proposal on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023. The committee is expected to vote on the proposal at a later date.

The debate over the PRB is part of a larger conversation about police accountability in Cambridge. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of police misconduct in the city. These cases have led to calls for reform, including the creation of a civilian review board with more power to investigate police misconduct.

The Public Safety Committee’s hearing on Zondervan’s proposal is an opportunity for the city to discuss how to improve police accountability. The committee’s vote on the proposal will be a significant step in determining the future of the PRB and the city’s approach to police reform.

The murder of Sayed Faisal is a tragedy that has shaken the Cambridge community. The city is now at a crossroads, and it must decide how to respond to this tragedy. The Public Safety Committee’s hearing on Zondervan’s proposal is an important step in the city’s journey towards justice for Sayed Faisal and his family.

Activate News June 1st, 2023 SomervilleMurder, CompassMedical, Pride, Gannett

Activate News June 1st, 2023 SomervilleMurder, CompassMedical, Pride, Gannett

Activate News for Thursday, June 1st, 2023

Activate News is your independent source for news, free from the influence of corporations. We’re an all-volunteer radio station that originated at Occupy Boston, and we’re committed to bringing you the news that matters.

Here are some of the stories we’re covering today:

  • Murder in Somerville.
  • Compass Medical Goes Poof.
  • Pride Month.
  • Gannett Goes on Strike June 5th.

Tune in at the top of the hour on Activate Radio to hear the latest from Activate News. You can find us online at activateradio.org.

We hope you’ll join us!

EVENTS

THU, JUN 1
Massachusetts State House Boston

Event by City Life/Vida Urbana

THU, JUN 1
Massachusetts State House Boston

Event by City Life/Vida Urbana

THU, JUN 1 AT 5:45 PM AND 1 MORE
Brattle Theatre Cambridge

Event by Brattle Theatre

TODAY AT 7 PM
Notch Brewing Brighton

Event by Ibookthings

TOMORROW AT 7 PM
Magic Room Norwood

Event by Magic Room

TOMORROW AT 7 PM
The Jungle Community Music Club Somerville

Event by The Jungle Community Music Club

TOMORROW AT 8 PM
Faces Brewing Co. Malden

Event by Faces Brewing Co.

TOMORROW AT 8 PM
Regent Theatre Arlington Arlington

Event by Regent Theatre Arlington

THIS SATURDAY AT 9 AM
91.5 WMFO Medford

Event by WMFO Live Day 2023

THIS SATURDAY AT 1 PM
First Parish Dorchester Dorchester

Event by Resource Organizing Project

THIS SATURDAY AT 3 PM
Midway Cafe Jamaica Plain

Event by Midway Cafe

THIS SATURDAY AT 4 PM
Haley House Boston Boston

Event by Haley House Boston

THIS SATURDAY AT 8 PM
Midway Cafe Jamaica Plain

Event by Midway Cafe

THIS SATURDAY AT 8 PM
Faces Brewing Co. Malden

Event by Faces Brewing Co.

THIS SATURDAY AT 10 PM
The Lily Pad Cambridge

Event by Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM)

THIS SUNDAY AT 8 AM
Madeline English School Everett

Event by Bike to the Sea

THIS SUNDAY AT 12 PM
Arts at the Armory Somerville

Event by School of Rock Watertown

THIS SUNDAY AT 12 PM
Watson Park Braintree

Event by Charlette Helen

THIS SUNDAY AT 12 PM
Blarney Stone Dorchester

Event by Dorchester Running Club