BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts State House is going to be a lot emptier over the coming weeks.
With coronavirus hollowing out offices across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr told WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal that, starting Monday, non-essential staff members are being told to stay home.
"The Senate staffers that are needed to be at the State House will be there, but many of those staffers will also be working remotely," Tarr said. "The meetings that often times occur with groups and school tours and things of that nature will not be invited to happen by the members of the Senate. We will try to conduct those meetings and interactions using modern technology."
Tarr wanted to reassure Massachusetts residents that the government will still be open for business. There are certain things required by the Massachusetts Constitution, for instance, that lawmakers meet in informal session at least once every 72 hours.
Bills will still be passed, like the $15 million coronavirus aid package passed by the Massachusetts House and Senate Thursday.
It's too early to tell, Tarr said, whether or not the virus will impact coming deadlines—like the July deadline for the fiscal year.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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