THE MASSACHUSETTS BLACK AND LATINO LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS (MBLLC) URGES GOVERNOR BAKER TO REQUEST A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON – The MBLLC has requested that Governor Charlie Baker petition President Donald Trump to make such a declaration for Massachusetts. The MBLLC has also made similar requests through letters sent to the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, President Donald Trump, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.

By way of a major disaster declaration, either nation-wide or in Massachusetts, independent contractors and the self-employed would become eligible for Unemployment Insurance that they are not typically eligible for in normal times. “Independent contractors and sole-proprietors are essential to our inner city economies,” stated Caucus Chairman Representative Carlos González (D – Springfield). He continued, “it is imperative that we include them in the economic stimulus strategy in Massachusetts.”

While some employees may be able to work from home or access Unemployment Insurance to bide their time, independent contractors and the self-employed are largely left with no similar option. Already living paycheck to paycheck in low-income and minority communities, these workers will struggle to survive without intervention.