Home | Join Us | Directory | Events

East Bay Chamber of Commerce

  • Membership Directory
  • Why Join
    • Become a Member
    • Artisan Membership
    • Networking & Exposure
    • Market Your Business
    • See Who's Joined
  • Member Benefits
    • Member to Member Discounts
    • Free Marketing Tools >
      • Ribbon Cuttings
      • Chamber Blog
      • Event Calendar
      • Speaker's Bureau
      • Bay Bucks >
        • Participating Businesses
    • Premium Marketing Tools >
      • Making Connections
      • Tuesday at Two
    • Networking Groups >
      • WEBOND
      • CEO Manufacturers Round Table
      • EBYP
    • Coggno Online Training
  • Economy
    • Existing Business Support
    • Starting a Business >
      • East Providence
      • Barrington
      • Bristol
      • Warren
    • State Government
    • RI Chamber Coalition
    • Job Bank
  • Events /Tourism
    • Chamber Events
    • Community Events
    • Submit an Event
    • Bristol County >
      • Points of Interest
      • Map of Area
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Shop Local
    • Live & Work >
      • East Providence
      • Barrington
      • Bristol
      • Warren
  • Member Login
  • About Us
    • History
    • Board of Directors >
      • Chairman's Message
    • Committees
    • Membership Directory
    • Affiliates & Associates
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Membership Directory
  • Why Join
    • Become a Member
    • Artisan Membership
    • Networking & Exposure
    • Market Your Business
    • See Who's Joined
  • Member Benefits
    • Member to Member Discounts
    • Free Marketing Tools >
      • Ribbon Cuttings
      • Chamber Blog
      • Event Calendar
      • Speaker's Bureau
      • Bay Bucks >
        • Participating Businesses
    • Premium Marketing Tools >
      • Making Connections
      • Tuesday at Two
    • Networking Groups >
      • WEBOND
      • CEO Manufacturers Round Table
      • EBYP
    • Coggno Online Training
  • Economy
    • Existing Business Support
    • Starting a Business >
      • East Providence
      • Barrington
      • Bristol
      • Warren
    • State Government
    • RI Chamber Coalition
    • Job Bank
  • Events /Tourism
    • Chamber Events
    • Community Events
    • Submit an Event
    • Bristol County >
      • Points of Interest
      • Map of Area
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Shop Local
    • Live & Work >
      • East Providence
      • Barrington
      • Bristol
      • Warren
  • Member Login
  • About Us
    • History
    • Board of Directors >
      • Chairman's Message
    • Committees
    • Membership Directory
    • Affiliates & Associates
    • Contact Us
  • Blog

State House Activity 4/20/2020

4/20/2020

0 Comments

 
State House Activity
The General Assembly cancelled all hearings and meetings for this week as the State expects cases of coronavirus to peak sometime in the next two weeks.

Unemployment Compensation Update and Federal Funds
Commerce RI coordinated a conference call with members of the business community last week.  During the April 15th call, the Chamber heard from Department of Labor Director Scott Jensen.  As of April 15th, 154,000 Rhode Islanders filed for unemployment benefits (although the Director did say that some of the 154,000 may be duplicate applications so the number may be somewhat overstated).  To provide a perspective of caseloads, he said that on April 7th alone, there were 15,000 claims filed.  Approximately $107 million has been paid out as of last week, which represents 1/5 of the amount available in the Unemployment Trust Fund.  Should the fund be zeroed out by claims, the State will then borrow from the federal government to meet benefit requirements.  Director Jensen also said that companies that lay off employees due to coronavirus fallout, will not be penalized through their experience rating once the economy restarts and employment returns to “normal.”
Governor Raimondo announced that the State received $625 million in federal funds last week.  A total of $1.25 billion is expected to be received – the remainder should reach the state treasury in the next couple weeks.  However, federal guidelines as to exactly how the money can be used have not been provided to states yet.  Those guidelines should be released soon.

Mask Requirement Reminder
Last week, the Governor signed an executive order issuing clear direction about face coverings. The following directives are in effect:
    • All employees of customer-facing businesses, office-based businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits and construction workers must wear cloth face coverings when they are at work.
    • Additionally, all customer-facing businesses must take steps to remind customers to wear face coverings. 
    • The only exceptions are for anyone whose health would be in jeopardy because of wearing a face covering or any children under 2 years old.
The Governor stated that businesses are NOT required to refuse entry or service to customers without masks.  She acknowledged that some Mayors are choosing to order businesses in their towns to refuse entry to customers without masks.  The Governor said those Mayors have the right to adopt a stricter ordinance than her state executive order.

Governor Looks for Chamber Input
Governor Raimondo is asking Chambers of Commerce and other industry groups to think about ways to safely re-open the State’s economy in phases.  Once the State experiences 14 days of declining coronavirus cases, the first phase of re-opening can begin.  Re-opening will likely require some type of social distancing as well as cleaning requirements and customer flow regulations; but different types of businesses will likely require different types of regulations.  The Chamber will continue to work with the Governor and her team to develop ideas to help in this endeavor.


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Chamber News & Updates
    Meet Our Members
    Member News & Press Releases
    Ribbon Cuttings
    Under The Dome

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    RSS Feed

Copyright East Bay Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
16 Cutler St., Warren, RI 02885 
Phone: (401) 245-0750  |  Fax: (401) 245-0110  | [email protected]