Morning Rundown: Expanding Pooled COVID Tests For Child Care Centers; Legislature Talks (Again) On How To Spend Relief $

Originally Appeared in WBUR
By: Meagan McGinnes

September 21. 2021

You'll want to turn this way up while reading the newsletter today. It's only fitting:

Today on Beacon Hill, legislators are talking for the fourth time about how and when they should spend the $4.8 billion in federal money meant to help the state recover from the pandemic. Today's talks will focus on health care, mental health and public health. So far, the Legislature has been wanting to spend the money slowly and Gov. Charlie Baker has been pushing to use it sooner. However, after two more hearings, there may be a vote on the horizon, potentially before breaking for the calendar year on Nov. 17.

Good news for child care providers and parents. Neighborhood Villages, a program that runs pooled coronavirus testing at child care centers, is expanding this fall after teaming up with the state. The nonprofit will be able to offer pooled testing every week at 260 centers – covering at least 13,000 children – across Massachusetts. Who's paying for the tests? The state is working with the federal government to cover the costs.

Ex-Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia had a good day in court yesterday. A federal judge tossed out eight counts of the jury’s guilty verdict, which will likely lessen the sentence he receives. He was previously found guilty by jurors of swindling investors and extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana businesses. Even with several convictions gone, he's still facing multiple counts of wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and extortion. What's next? His legal team is pushing for a new trial; prosecutors want 11 years in prison.

To help the state reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the Baker administration is creating a Clean Heat Commission that focuses on policies to limit heating fuel emissions and shepherd the move to clean energy. Baker says it's the first commission of its kind in the U.S.

Heads up: Some Beacon Hill streets look more like rivers this morning after a 30-inch water main broke at Hancock and Myrtle streets. Some streets in the area are still closed so plan accordingly.

Zoom out: Fully vaccinated foreign nationals can come to the U.S. starting in November. The Biden administration's new policy will replace the travel bans instituted by the Trump administration.

P.S.– It's another voting-filled Tuesday for 11 cities across the state today. You can learn more about who is holding preliminary elections for what offices below.