North Shore Legislators Seek Help For Phase 4 Businesses

SALEM, MA —North Shore state legislators are looking for a way to help those with businesses forced to close until phase 4 of the state's coronavirus reopening plan survive until there is a vaccine or effective therapeutic.

Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem) filed the bill on Monday that is cosponsored by Rep. Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich) and Rep. Thomas. Walsh (D-Peabody). The bill would require the state to make up the difference for any tax revenue decrease in communities resulting from businesses that filed for relief.

"Local companies and hard-working employees from the backbone of every Massachusetts municipality," Lovely said in a statement. "I know every establishment wants to open again. But until we can safely do so, I want to help businesses and their workers by giving them badly needed relief on the tax side so that they can hang on until phase 4 begins."

The exemption would expire 90 days after Gov. Charlie Baker lifts the coronavirus state of emergency. Wedding venues, theaters and bars would be among those eligible.

"Many local businesses have been very creative and ingenious in adapting to the current business climate," Walsh said in a statement. "Businesses in the phase 4 category don't even that opportunity. This legislation acknowledges their financial plight and encourages an innovative way to assist them during this pandemic."

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