Massachusetts will steer another $101 million toward its COVID-19 response under a spending bill Gov. Charlie Baker signed over the weekend that also shifts the statewide primary election date up to Sept. 6.
Baker on Saturday approved all of the spending on COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave, rapid tests, high-quality masks and vaccine access that lawmakers included in the supplemental budget . He vetoed two outside policy sections and returned another two, including an attempt by the Legislature to codify a vaccine equity plan, with amendments.
One section Baker returned to lawmakers with an amendment called for the secretary of health and human services to craft and implement a COVID-19 vaccination equity plan with a goal of eliminating disparities in vaccination rates within 120 days.strikes the 120-day target, a change that he said would"reflect the continuing challenge faced by nearly every country in the world and every state in the country of achieving total vaccine equity.
Lawmakers can choose to override Baker's vetoes with a two-thirds vote in either chamber, where Democrats hold supermajorities. Galvin announced on Sunday that nomination papers would become available to candidates starting at 10 a.m. Monday, a day ahead of the codified deadline he faces.Those running for district and county offices have until May 3 to submit signatures to local registrars for certification, then until May 31 to submit certified signatures to Galvin's Elections Division.