Boston Ward 19 Democratic Committee

The Democratic National Committee today released a 60-second television ad, “Help Is Here,” that highlights how President Biden and Democrats have delivered real, tangible results for the American people and their families by making the American Rescue Plan a reality. “When President Biden took office, he promised the American people that help was on the way — and now, thanks to his leadership and a united Democratic Party, help is here,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “The American Rescue Plan is the bold and historic action we need to combat this virus. With measures including direct payments of $1,400 per person and resources to help manufacture and distribute vaccines, it will provide the relief working families need and overwhelmingly want, while showing that the government is again working for the people.”

The American Rescue Plan: Impacts on Massachusetts 

The Need for Action in Massachusetts 

The pandemic and the associated economic crisis have had a severe impact on Massachusetts. The need for action is clear: 

• Since the pandemic began, more than 568,979 people have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 16,293 people have died. 
• The unemployment rate is 8.4%, up from 2.8% before the pandemic. 
• Since February 2020, more than 204,033 fewer people are employed. 
• 337,000 adults – 7% of all adults in the state – report not having enough food to eat. This includes 185,000 adults living with children, or 12% of all adults living with children, who report that the children in their household do not have enough to eat. 
• An estimated 284,000 renters or 17% of renters are not caught up on rent. 
• An estimated 1,406,000 adults or 28% of all adults statewide report having difficulty covering normal household expenses. 

The Effect of the American Rescue Plan on Massachusetts 

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan will provide Massachusetts with: 

• $5.356 billion in state fiscal relief 
• $2.663 in local fiscal relief 
• More than $1.897 billion in relief for K-12 schools 
• Economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person (above the $600 per person provided in December) for more than 3,925,800 adults and 1,331,400 children. This is 78% of all adults in the state and 73% of all children in the state. 
• Additional relief of up to $1,600 per child through the Child Tax Credit to the families of 1,105,00 children, lifting 55,000 children out of poverty 
• Additional relief of up to nearly $1,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit to 294,000 childless workers, including many in frontline jobs 
• Marketplace health insurance premiums that are $1,011 lower per month for a 60-year old couple earning $75,000 per year 
• Provide over $1 billion in funding for public transit to maintain full service and keep workers employed.
• Provide renters with $362 million in assistance. 

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison released the following statement:

“The American people voted for leaders who would deliver the relief they need to weather this pandemic and economic crisis — and they won’t forget that Democrats answered the call for help. Senate Democrats just came together to pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, a relief bill that includes: direct payments to Americans, expanded and extended unemployment benefits, funding for vaccine distribution, funding to safely reopen schools, and assistance for small businesses. This plan has broad bipartisan support from the public, and from state and local officials of both parties across the country. And yet, while our country is in need and folks are hurting, Republicans in Congress once again tried to stand in the way of helping the American people. The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Democrats will continue the fight to end this pandemic and to build back better.”

We have enough cash left to do one more full food delivery, thanks to everybody’s generosity. When we proposed this, we hoped to do one, so three is beyond gratifying.

Sorry, we didn’t take pictures today, but be assured that the local food pantries appreciate this greatly.

The DNC Best Practices Institute (BPI) is excited to announce the launch of the Train the Trainer (T3) Program for 2021! The T3 webinar training program is a free, six-week, twelve-part course, covering several aspects of grassroots campaigning. T3 trainings are targeted towards volunteers and activists, and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00-8:00 PM beginning on March 16 and concluding on April 22. Click here to register.

Participants must register by Sunday, March 14, and must complete all sessions in order to receive certification. All training sessions will include a skills test to track retention and participation. All trainings will be recorded and made available following each session via a weekly wrap-up email (delivered on Fridays).

John Walsh was Ed Markey’s campaign manager. They are most likely looking for young activists to fill these positions.

From: John E Walsh <johnewalsh14@gmail.com>
Sent: Tue, Feb 23, 2021 5:44 pm
Subject: CLIMATE!!! We are expanding our team by two to lead on this important issue.

Friends,
Who do you know who SHOULD be in this fight with us in Washington?  We have a strong team and we’re growing it.  Please think about who you know who should take a look at these opportunities and share these two postings widely.

LEGISLATIVE AIDE/ASSISTANT -Senator Edward J. Markey seeks a Legislative Aide/Assistant to work on environment and natural resources issues. The ideal candidate will be able to work in a fast-paced environment and have excellent writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet tight deadlines in a rigorous environment. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: supporting the Senator’s role on the Environment and Public Works Committee, meeting with constituent and stakeholder groups; preparing legislation; analyzing legislative and regulatory developments and recommending appropriate responses; and drafting correspondence, memoranda, talking points, floor statements, and other remarks. Capitol Hill experience is strongly preferred and Massachusetts ties are desirable. Diverse candidates, women, and LGBTQ persons are strongly encouraged to apply.  This office is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to senate_employment@saa.senate.gov indicating the job referral number in the subject line.  JOB REFERRAL NUMBER: 223209

CLIMATE ADVISOR -Senator Edward J. Markey seeks an advisor to assist in his work related to climate and environment issues, including the Green New Deal. Responsibilities include work related to political strategy, as well as communications and coordination with outside groups and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate has experience working in a fast-paced environment and has excellent writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet tight deadlines in a rigorous environment. Successful candidates will have relevant policy experience and should have prior leadership experience in these fields. This is NOT an entry level position. Diverse candidates, women, and LGBTQ persons are strongly encouraged to apply. This office is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to senate_employment@saa.senate.gov indicating the job referral number in the subject line.  JOB REFERRAL NUMBER:  226207

Thank you,John Walsh

Please note: BMC has a location in Roslindale and several of our members have been able to obtain quick appointments there. This is limited to Boston residents.

We had a good turnout at the live webinar on short notice. We feel the information is important to a much wider audience. Please forward the link to anyone you know. Thanks!

The response to our request for donations, to buy fresh fruits and vegetables to donate to the food pantries in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale, has been overwhelming and extremely gratifying. We made our first delivery today, assisted by Rep. Liz Malia and her minivan. What you see in the pictures is only half of the items; there was another carload.

Thanks to everyone who donated. Checks are still coming in, and we have collected enough to have at least one more full donation, and maybe more. Thanks especially to Esther Kaplan, who organized the subcommittee for this action, to Jane Bowers, Kerry Costello, Karen Payne, and David Ofsevit, and to Rep. Malia and her minivan.

Ward 19 endorses an Act of Service – a food drive to support local food pantries

This week we celebrate the Inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice-President Kamala Harris and welcome the incoming Biden/Harris administration. The Ward 19 Democratic Committee encourages you to join in the celebration. Many residents of Ward 19 have worked relentlessly for this victory and now we hope that ALL will participate in the celebration.

The Biden/Harris Inauguration consists of five days of events – mostly virtual.  On Monday, January 18^th (MLK, Jr. Day) it encourages us to participate in a Day of Service.  Therefore the Ward 19 Democratic Committee (JP/Roslindale) is endorsing a campaign to support our local food pantries – the First Baptist Church in J.P. Food Pantry serving 300 families and the Roslindale Congregational Church Food Pantry serving 100 families and 150 elders. We encourage you to join in. 

Both Food Pantries state that their greatest need in the middle of winter is fresh produce – kale, swiss chard, sweet potatoes, berries, etc.  The food pantry campaign invites cash donations that will be used to bulk purchase requested fresh produce for delivery next week and beyond. 

Let’s be creative. So far: 

· Several Ward 19 members committed a portion of their covid relief check

· Another member is donating $46 in honor of the 46^th President

· A member committed a portion of funds she intended to spend going to the Inauguration in D.C.

· Another committed what she would spend on coffee in a week if she was not working at home

Contributions of any size are welcome – 100% will be used to bulk purchase fresh produce for these food pantries! 

Please contribute by 5 pm on Wednesday, January 20th:

Via Venmo to @David-Ofsevit for Inauguration Food Drive (David is Co-Chair of Ward 19)

Or

Via Paypal to ofsevit@alum.mit.edu

or

Via snailmail with checks made out to David Ofsevit mailed to 509 Centre St. Apt. 1, J.P. MA  02130

or contact Esther Kaplan at EKap1222@gmail.com to arrange for pick-up

If you prefer, sealed packages of rice and cans/jars of peanut butter, tuna, tomato sauce, beans and soup can be donated in a bin in the outer lobby of Curtis Hall (opposite the Monument). All donations will be delivered to these two food pantries.

Let’s join together as one community to enter a new era of good health and social equity with a government that works for all of us. Please share this with your networks.

For more information, contact: Esther Kaplan at EKap1222@gmail.com