Also up on Beacon Hill

Allow restaurants to sell hard liquor — The Senate approved a bill that would allow restaurants to sell sealed containers of mixed drinks with take-out and delivery orders. A law passed in April allows restaurants and bars to sell limited quantities of beer and wine, in their original containers, with takeout and delivery orders. The order did not include mixed drinks.

The proposal requires orders for cocktails to be placed by midnight or earlier if the establishment closes before that. The measure defines mixed drinks as a drink sealed in a container holding up to 64 fluid ounces of liquor and mixer that have been combined.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 emergency, I have heard from our local restaurant owners about the revenue that to-go mixed drinks could generate to help them stay afloat and survive the impacts of the shutdown,” said Sen. Diana Dizoglio, D-methuen, the sponsor of the measure. “While many mom and pop establishments have been able to slowly reopen in recent weeks, they still face significant challenges in their efforts to retain employees and pay their bills. While the Legislature does not have a say in the reopening plan during this continued state of emergency, we still have an obligation to use every legislative tool we have to help those that are struggling due to the pandemic. The passage of this bill will greatly help our job creators in the restaurant community, as well as their employees, many of whom have faced challenges with unemployment and uncertainty over whether their jobs will be there for them in the future.”

“Restaurants are among the hardest, if not the most impacted businesses by the Coronavirus shutdown,” said Steve Clark, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. “Allowing mixed drinks to go is another tool for restaurants to attempt to increase revenue opportunities. We hope Massachusetts joins the other neighboring states in authorizing this legislation. There is just something about a professionally made cocktail that can’t be replicated at home.”

The House approved a different version of the bill on June 3 but the Senate has not yet acted on it. The House bill includes more than the “cocktails to go” in the Senate measure. The House version would also cap delivery fees by third parties like Grubhub, Doordash and Uber Eats at 15% of the order price until 45 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency ends. When the pandemic struck, many restaurants were not equipped to offer online ordering or delivery and are forced to rely heavily on these delivery companies.

The House measure also allows cities and towns to authorize some changes to state licensing and local zoning procedures in order to make it easier and faster for restaurants to open outdoor seating. Another provision would temporarily waive late fees for any restaurants that are behind on paying the revenue from the meals tax to the state.

The Senate bill now goes to the House for consideration.

58,616 fraudulent unemployment claims — The state Department of Unemployment Assistance announced that it has verified 58,616 fraudulent unemployment claims through June 20. The department has not yet released how much money was paid out in error.

“Protecting the integrity of the unemployment system and ensuring benefits are only going to valid claimants is the top priority of the Department of Unemployment Assistance,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “It is unfortunate that because of this criminal activity, people who really need our support may face delays in receiving the benefits they need. We will continue to work with our state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as our dedicated constituent service personnel, to ensure that those with valid unemployment claims receive financial assistance during these difficult times.”

Investigate and review Bay State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic – Sen. Eric Lesser, D-longmeadow, and Rep. Jon Santiago, D-boston, have filed legislation creating a commission that would review the Bay State’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak and make recommendations on how Massachusetts can better prepare in the future.

“As we gain more insight into the spread of the coronavirus outbreak and its impacts on Massachusetts, it is vital that we establish a dedicated nonpartisan commission to evaluate the response to the crisis and ensure future preparedness,” said Lesser. “The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 has upended our way of life and has revealed pre-existing inequities in our system that need to be evaluated and improved upon, especially as the threat of resurgence lingers.”

“Ensuring that we fully understand our response to COVID-19 is critical, particularly as we prepare for a potential second surge,” said Santiago. “The commonwealth deserves a thorough, deliberate and reflective inquiry of the actions taken to date. We owe it to the countless number of families who lost loved ones and to the many healthcare and essential workers who continue to risk their lives.”

Massachusetts jobs bill — Sen. Jamie Eldridge, DActon, and Rep. Dan Sena, D-acton, have filed a jobs bill to help residents economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair said the measure, modeled after the FDR New Deal-era Works Progress Administration program, would create jobs for unemployed and underemployed residents while stimulating the economy.

“Residents are seeking to get back to work and provide for their families, but the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put a strain on the economy with many folks still jobless,” Eldridge said. “I believe it is the government’s responsibility to create jobs in an economic downturn, providing paychecks to residents who are able to re-join the job market. I’m proud to file this legislation with Rep. Sena, who is acutely aware of the struggle immigrants are undergoing during this pandemic especially since many immigrant families are still not eligible for unemployment benefits or the federal CARES Act stimulus checks.”

“COVID-19 has been economically disastrous, especially in our immigrant communities and communities of color,” said Sena. “We must step up to make sure that our neighbors across Massachusetts have the resources they need to provide for themselves and their families during the pandemic and beyond. The Mass WPA program will create jobs for those who need them and help us build a better future for Massachusetts.”

The bill allows the program to consider projects related to infrastructure; contact tracing for COVID19; climate change resiliency, environmental conservation and water quality; the agriculture, food and beverage industry; home care services; online education and childcare; and the cannabis industry.