Massachusetts State Senate Passes Driver’s License Bill
The Massachusetts State Senate passed the Work and Family Mobility Act by a vote of 32 to 8. The following statement may be credited to the leaders of the organizations co-chairing the Driving Families Forward Coalition, Brazilian Worker Center Executive Director Lenita Reason and 32BJ SEIU Vice President Roxana Rivera:
“We are once again overcome with happiness, pride and gratitude for today’s historic vote in the Massachusetts Senate. The legislature has now resoundingly supported the Work and Family Mobility Act, moving all state residents toward greater road safety, improved security, better public health and a more vibrant economy, and promising a profound transformation in the lives of undocumented immigrants across the Commonwealth. The pursuit of these many goals is what brought us together in Driving Families Forward, a broad and diverse coalition of more than 270 businesses, faith groups, labor unions, community organizations and others. Working with law enforcement and other experts, Driving Families Forward also built in safeguards that led to the bill’s endorsement by the Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association, whose members lead two-thirds of the state’s total police force, as well as a majority of the state’s District Attorneys and sheriffs, and dozens of individual chiefs in smaller towns and cities.
“We extend our deepest thanks to Senate President Spilka for her support in moving the bill forward. We also thank the bill’s four lead sponsors, its dozens of cosponsors and the many thousands of individuals who have written letters, made calls, and attended meetings to help bring us to this point.
We now urge Governor Baker to sign the bill, which provides all the safeguards necessary to answer any doubts he may has raised previously, and we look forward to then celebrating with him and all our allies as the Work and Family Mobility Act becomes law.â€
State Treasurer’s Veterans’ Bonus Division Extends Eligibility Period
The State Treasurer’s Veterans’ Bonus Division announced that the eligibility period for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Bonus for National Guard members has been extended past its initial end date of June 15, 2021. National Guard members activated for additional deployments at any point after March 10, 2020 are eligible to receive a subsequent bonus.
“When we launched the COVID-19 Bonus in April 2020, our goal was to thank Massachusetts National Guard members for their service during a time of great uncertainty,†said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “By extending the eligibility period, we are able to support our servicemembers as the pandemic has required their continuing commitment, efforts and focus.â€
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Treasurer Goldberg and the Veterans’ Bonus Division created the Massachusetts COVID-19 Bonus for National Guard members in 2020. National Guard members are eligible to receive a $500 bonus for their first-time activation and a $250 subsequent bonus for any additional activations.
National Guard members can follow this link to apply for a first-time or subsequent bonus: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-massachusetts-covid-19-bonus-for-mass-national-guard
In addition to the bonus extension, the Veterans’ Bonus Division has partnered with Unite Us, a national social and health networking platform, to streamline its inquiry system and connect veterans to local veteran-serving organizations.
“Partnering with Unite Us allows us to track inquires better and respond to veterans quickly,†said Steven Croteau, Veterans’ Bonus Program Manager. “With the platform’s robust network of veteran-serving organizations, our team is able to better serve our veterans by connecting them to the groups and resources that they need.â€
Veterans, service members, or their families can inquire about any of the bonuses offered by the Veterans’ Bonus Division by following this link: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/veterans-bonus-inquiry
Goldberg Announces Interim Chairman for CCC
State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg announced that Sarah G. Kim was sworn in as Interim Chairman for the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission). Ms. Kim replaces Steven J. Hoffman who submitted his resignation as Chair in April after serving for several years to establish a successful new industry in Massachusetts. Ms. Kim is tasked with leading the Commission as the Treasurer continues the search process for a permanent Chairman.
“Sarah has extensive leadership experience and knowledge about the standards, goals, and operations of the Commission, as well as perspective on necessary steps as we progress in the implementation of good policies in Massachusetts,†said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “We are proud to appoint her as the Interim Chair, and strongly support her efforts in this new role.â€
“I am grateful to the Treasurer for entrusting me with this opportunity to be the Interim Chair of the Cannabis Control Commission until a new Chair is appointed, and I look forward to working with agency staff, stakeholders, and commissioners to continue the important work of growing a successful, safe, and equitable industry in Massachusetts,†said Sarah G. Kim, Interim Chairman of the Cannabis Control Commission.
Ms. Kim has worked for the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer & Receiver General since 2015 and currently serves as a Deputy Treasurer and General Counsel. As a Deputy Treasurer, Ms. Kim has general oversight of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, and as General Counsel, she manages the team that provides support to the Treasury and its affiliated agencies on various legal issues, including open meetings, ethics, public records, and campaign finance laws. Ms. Kim also advises senior staff on strategic policy, procurement, employment, and litigation issues. She co-led the Treasury’s initial efforts to implement the provisions of the ballot initiative that decriminalized the adult use of recreational marijuana.
Before joining Treasury, Ms. Kim was an Assistant Attorney General in the Fraud and Financial Crimes Division under Attorney General Martha Coakley. Prior to that, she was a litigation attorney for ten years. Ms. Kim currently serves in leadership positions for several philanthropic organizations. She is a graduate of the Villanova University School of Law and Dartmouth College.
The Office of the Massachusetts Treasurer and Receiver General is currently accepting applications for Chair of the Cannabis Commission for appointment by Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. The position requires experience in corporate management, finance, or securities. Completed applications in PDF form must be submitted via email to [email protected] and received by June 4, 2022. Applications are available online at www.masstreasury.org.