Battling Massachusetts restaurants are asking for more help

Updated: 4:45 p.m. EDT May 26, 2021

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Still desperate for relief. MARY SALADNA FROM NEWSCENTER 5 LIVES IN WALTHAM TO EXPLAIN. MARIA? >> THE STATE MAY FULLY REOPEN ON SATURDAY BUT THE RESTAURANT OWNERS SAY THEY REALLY ONLY START RESTORING. >> We lost a year. We need a year to recover. We try to survive and we hang on our fingertips. >> CHEF JOE CASSINELLI OWNS A GROUP OF RESTAURANTS INCLUDING THE PAINTED BURRO IN WALTHAM. HE SAYS OWNERS DESPERATELY NEED THE STATE TO EXTEND OUTDOOR FOOD AND MEASURES SUCH AS EXCEPTIONAL COCKTAILS TO HELP THE INDUSTRIAL REPOUP SECTORS LOSS. >> WE NEED A BREAK, WE NEED A LITTLE ADDITIONAL HELP TO KEEP THIS GOING. We are part of the fabric of every community. >> THIS WEEK, STATE LAWYERS ARE DISCUSSING BUDGETARY CHANGES THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE PANDEMIC EMERGENCY MEASURES INCLUDING. >> We are literally just starting the recovery process. We still have 12 to 18 months. >> NIA GRACE HAD TO CLOSE DARRYL’S CORNER BAR AND KITCHEN OVER WINTER, SHE SAYS EATING OUTDOOR IS CRITICAL FOR HER COMEBACK. SHE ALSO THINKS TAKE OUT STAYS HERE, SO STATE LAWYERS HAVE TO FOLLOW STATES LIKE NEW YORK AND RULES FOR THIRD PARTY DELIVERY APPS THAT SAY GRACE PRICE GOUGE RESTAELLANT OWNERS-OWNERS, AND PREPARE SERVICES. >> Where they’re either rude to my staff and steal our food. DO NOT DELIVER ON TIME OR TURN OUR BOX UPSIDE DOWN. And then, while I am paying them 30% of every dollar, they are not even accountable. >> I just got an update from a trusted source and I want to share it with you CHANGES MAY BE SENT AS THE ART OF THE BUDGET THAT SAYING IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE QUESTIONS ARE DEAD, THAT THEY WILL BE DEBATED IN THE NEXT WEEKLY RATES. SOUNDS LIKE THE BUDGET CANNOT

Battling Massachusetts restaurants are asking for more help

WCVB

Updated: 4:45 p.m. EDT May 26, 2021

This week, state lawmakers are debating budget changes that would extend emergency response to pandemics, including al fresco dining and takeaway cocktails.

This week, state lawmakers are debating budget changes that would extend emergency response to pandemics, including al fresco dining and takeaway cocktails.