>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," JEFFREY RILEY JOINS ME ON THE STATE'S EFFORTS TO GET YOUNG KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM FULL-TIME BY EARLY APRIL.

AND EFFORTS FROM TEACHERS' UNIONS TO DELAY THE RETURN -- I'LL TELL YOU WHY.

THEN, LATER, "WASHINGTON POST" PERSONAL FINANCE COLUMNIST MICHELLE SINGLETARY ON THE IMPACT OF THOSE $1400 STIMULUS CHECKS, EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDITS, AND AN ODD CHOICE POSED BY A POPULAR SHOW ON NETFLIX.

>>> JOE BIDEN HAS PLEDGED TO BRING THE MAJORITY OF ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM BY THE END OF HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

AND AT A VIRTUAL EDUCATION SUMMIT TODAY, THE PRESIDENT EMPHASIZED THE $130 BILLION OUT OF HIS COVID RELIEF BILL THAT'S SLATED TO HELP SCHOOLS MEET THAT GOAL.

>> I NEED STATES TO MOVE QUICKLY TO GET THESE RESOURCES DOWN TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUT THEM TO WORK.

HELP IS HERE FOR SCHOOLS TO PURCHASE P.P.E., HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFFERS, LIKE NURSES, CUSTODIAL STAFF, IMPROVE VENTILATION AND SANITATION, AVOID DEVASTATING LAYOFFS, AND GIVE STUDENTS EXTRA SUPPORT.

GETTING OUR KIDS SAFELY BACK IN SCHOOL IS ESSENTIAL.

>> Braude: TO THAT END, THE C.D.C.

ALSO RECENTLY UPDATED IT'S SAFETY GUIDANCE TO SAY THREE FEET OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING, NOT SIX, IS ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID IN SCHOOLS, SOMETHING THE MASSACHUSETTS' EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EMBRACED MONTHS AGO, BY THE WAY.

BUT SO FAR THE PRESIDENT'S GOAL IS STILL A WAYS OFF.

LESS THAN HALF OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND JUST 38% OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE FULLY IN-PERSON AS OF A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY RELEASED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHICH ALSO FOUND STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

IN THIS STATE, EDUCATION OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THEY EXPECT 90% OF DISTRICTS WILL HAVE FULLY IN-PERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BY APRIL 5th.

SEVERAL DOZEN OTHERS WERE GRANTED WAIVERS, INCLUDING BOSTON AND WORCESTER, LATE THIS AFTERNOON, DELAYING THEIR RETURN.

COMMISSIONER JEFFREY RILEY JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: SO 90% OF DISTRICTS WILL HAVE ELEMENTARY CLASSES OPEN FULL-TIME, AND I GUESS IT IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, IF MY MATH IS RIGHT.

PARENTS ARE ABLE TO OPT OUT UNDER YOUR DIRECTIVE.

ARE THEY OPTING OUT?

>> WE'RE SEEING A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF PARENTS CHOOSING TO OPT IN.

I THINK PARENTS UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS ASKED THAT WE GET OUR KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL, AND THE SCIENCE AND THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WANT TO SAY IT IS SAFE FOR OUR KIDS TO GO BACK TO NOW AS WELL.

>> Braude: THIS STATE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF LOCAL AUTONOMY WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL DECISIONS, AND YOU OVERRULED THAT LOCAL AUTONOMY, AND ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRECEDENT THAT WILL SET, COMMISSIONER?

>> REMEMBER, PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, SCHOOL WAS JUST SCHOOL.

WE ACTUALLY CREATED THESE THREE VEHICLES, REMOTE, HYBRID, AND IN-PERSON WITH MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

SO NOW AT THE STATE LEVEL, BASED ON THE DOCTORS' ADVICE, WE'RE TAKING AWAY SOME OF THE MODELS AND SAYING WE THINK IT IS TIME TO GET OUR KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL.

>> Braude: AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE TEACHERS' UNIONS ARE SUPPORTING LEGISLATION ON BEACON HILL THAT WOULD DELAY THAT FIRST REOPENING, I THINK IT IS IN THREE WEEKS.

AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS OF WHAT WE'VE LIVED THROUGH, IF IT WOULD MAKE THE TEACHERS FEEL MORE SAFE AND ENSURE THAT MORE GET VACCINATED, WHAT HARM WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD YOU AGREED TO THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK EVERY DAY THAT A CHILD IS OUT OF SCHOOL IS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY AND REALLY HARMFUL TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

SO EVERY DAY THEY'RE IN SCHOOL IS A PRECIOUS TIME.

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TEACHERS DON'T NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO GO BACK.

AND THE GOVERNOR HAS MOVED UP THE TEACHERS' VACCINATION PROCESS.

AND IN MASSACHUSETTS, WE'VE DONE MORE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS THAN VIRTUALLY ANYONE ELSE.

REMEMBER, WE GAVE 10 DAYS OF TRAINING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR TEACHERS TO PLAN FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

WE SENT OUT AIR PURIFIERS TO DISTRICTS AND MASKS, AND WE'RE PROBABLY THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT IS DOING POOL TESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

>> Braude: DO YOU KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF EDUCATORS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED SO FAR?

EVEN A BALLPARK NUMBER?

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS PARTIALLY BECAUSE THEY'RE DRAWING THE VACCINE FROM DIFFERENT POOLS.

THERE ARE DAYS SET UP BY THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION, DEDICATED DAYS AND WEEKENDS, AND THAT'S STATE VACCINES, AND ALSO C.V.S.

HAS VACCINATED A LOT OF EDUCATORS, AND THEY'RE DRAWING FROM THE FEDERAL STOCKPILE.

>> Braude: I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING AS YOU'RE SPEAKING, AND IT IS PROBABLY ABSURD, BUT LET ME FLOAT IT ANYWAY: IF YOU'RE REOPENING SCHOOLS BASED UPON AGE OF THE KIDS, WHY WASN'T THERE VACCINATION OF EDUCATORS BASED UPON THE AGE OF THE KID THAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY POINT?

WHAT IS THE POINT OF PUTTING A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AHEAD OF OF A THIRD GRADE NURSE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE THIRD GRADE NURSE IS GOING TO BE DEALING WITH KIDS IN TWO WEEKS, AND THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER MAY NOT HAVE A KID IN FRONT OF THEM FOR WEEKS?

>> SO I'M NOT SURE THE SYSTEM IS THAT REFINED AT THIS POINT TO BE ABLE TO DELINEATE WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE AND WHO SHOULDN'T.

WE GRATEFUL THAT THE TEACHERS WERE CARVED OUT AND PRIORITIZED, BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT TO DO A FURTHER DELINEATION WOULD BE TRICKY.

I WOULD ALSO SAY, REMEMBER, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REOPENING AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MODEL SCHOOL REOPENING IS JUST SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> Braude: I UNDERSTAND.

YOU KNOW, ONE LAST THING ABOUT AT LEAST THIS IMMEDIATE RETURN, THE THING -- I'VE BEEN ON THE FENCE ON THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS EASY SINCE I DON'T HAVE A KID WHO IS SCHOOL-AGED ANYMORE.

I'M SURE I WOULD HAVE TAKEN A STAND OTHERWISE, BUT THE THING THAT MOVED ME CLOSEST TO REOPENING IS WHEN I'VE TALKED TO SHRINKS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION WITH KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN ON FULL REMOTE, AND EVEN HYBRID TO A DEGREE.

WHEN THE KIDS RETURN FULL-TIME TO THE CLASSROOM, WILL THERE BE RESOURCES THERE TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT HAVE ARISEN DURING THIS HORRIBLE YEAR?

>> YES.

WE'VE BEEN CLEAR WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS THAT THE REENTRY COULD BE FRAUGHT WITH KIDS COMING BACK WITH TRAUMA.

THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO PSYCHIATRIC PEDIATRIC BEDS FOR CHILDREN RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY BEING WEAR HOUSED IN EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR WEEKS ON END BECAUSE OF THEIR ISOLATION AND DEPRESSION, AND THE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND THE LIKE.

WE'VE GOT A MAJOR ISSUE TO DEAL WITH WHEN KIDS DO COME BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE'RE HOPEFUL AND GRATEFUL THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SENT ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO HELP DISTRICTS THINK ABOUT HOW TO TRANSITION KIDS BACK, AND THAT INCLUDES, YOU KNOW, HAVING MORE COUNSELORS, MORE NURSES AND STAFF AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS FOR KIDS.

>> Braude: AND THEY'RE READY TO GO IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING -- I HOPE?

>> I THINK THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING READY TO GO.

WE HAD AN INITIAL OUTLAY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT DISTRICTS HAVE ACCESS TO, AND THE NEW ADDITION IS COMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> Braude: WE HAD YOUR BOSS ON THE RADIO THE OTHER DAY, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MANDATE THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO DIRECT THAT THESE CLASSROOMS REOPEN BY DIFFERENT DATES, AND THEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT LEARNING LOSS AND THEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL, AND HERE WAS OUR DISCUSSION, OR AT LEAST PART OF IT.

YOU THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO BE GRANTED POWER TO UNILATERALLY DIRECT PARENTS SUBJECTING TO OPT OUT.

WHY WOULD HE NOT SEEK THE SAME AUTHORITY TO MANDATE THAT BASED UPON CERTAIN CRITERIA, THAT SUMMER SCHOOL SHALL, NOT MAY -- SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM MAJOR LEARNING LOSS, GOVERNOR.

>> WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION TO ASK, JEFF, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE LAW.

>> Braude: THE BEAUTY IS I NOW HAVE JEFF HERE.

AND IF IT IS LEGAL, WOULD YOU CONSIDER DOING IT?

>> THE LAW SAYS WE NEED TO HAVE 180 DAYS, AND WE CHANGED IT TO 170 SO TEACHERS COULD HAVE THE DAYS TO TRAIN.

BUT SUMMER SCHOOL IS NOT MANDATED.

WE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGING OUR DISTRICTS TO HAVE SUMMER SCHOOL, OR IF THEY ALREADY HAVE IT, TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITIES BASED ON SOME OF THE NEW FUNDING THAT IS COMING IN.

>> Braude: BY THE WAY, I'M SURE YOU SAW THE POLL, THE MASS INC FOUNDATION SCHOOL, AND OVERWHELMING NUMBERS IN EVERY GROUP, PARTICULARLY HIGH AMONG FAMILIES OF COLOR.

YOU'RE GETTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DEAL WITH THE LEARNING LOSS THING.

CAN YOU GIVE ME A BRIEF RESORTATION OF WHAT THE GAME PLAN IS.

WE HEAR WHEN THEY'RE OFF FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS VACATION, HOW IT SETS THEM BACK.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE IMPACT OF 12 MONTHS OF THIS.

WHAT IS THE GAME PLAN?

>> WE THINK OUR KIDS WILL BE COMING BACK WITH SIGNIFICANT LEARNING LOSS AND WE HAVE TO HAVE RESOURCES IN PLACE TO MAKE UP THAT GROUND.

I WOULD SAY FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS IS NOT A ONE SUMMER AND EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE FIX.

THIS IS PROBABLY A MULTI-YEAR FIX, WHICH INCLUDES THINGS LIKE SUMMER, VACATION ACADAMIES THAT HAPPEN IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL, AND TAKING THE DATA WE NEED AND PROVIDING THE INTERVENTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THOSE KIDS WHO HAVE LOST GROUND.

>> Braude: JEFF, I'M NOT TELLING YOU ANYTHING NEW, YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF BATTLES WITH THE TEACHERS' UNIONS, AND THERE WERE NO CONFIDENCE VOTES IN SEPTEMBER, AND I COMPARED THAT WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF YOU WHEN YOU WERE THE RECEIVER IN LAWRENCE.

I LOOKED UP A QUOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF LAWRENCE TEACHERS' UNION, AND HE SAID YOU PERFORMED A, QUOTE, "MINOR EDUCATIONAL MIRACLE WITH TEACHERS AT THE CENTER OF IT."

THAT WAS NOT LONG AGO.

AND WHAT HAPPENED?

DOES THIS BREAKDOWN ON THE STATE LEVEL CONCERN YOU?

>> NO.

I THINK WHEN WE WENT TO LAWRENCE, WE HAD SIMILAR ANXIETY AT THE BEGINNING FROM TEACHERS, AND PARTICULARLY THEIR UNIONS, BUT AT THE END, I THINK THINGS WORKED OUT OKAY.

WE'RE ALWAYS WILLING TO WORK WITH THE TEACHERS' UNION GOING FORWARD.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROVIDE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR TEACHERS FIRST AND FOREMOST, AS WELL AS OUR STUDENTS, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Braude: BUT SOME OF THEIR COMPLAINTS EARLIER ON ABOUT BEING NOT AT THE TABLE WHEN SOME DECISIONS WERE MADE, THEY'RE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS, AREN'T THEY, IN YOUR ESTIMATION?

>> I DO NOT THINK SO.

REMEMBER, WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT WORKED WITH THE TEACHERS' UNIONS TO GIVE THEM 10 DAYS OF TRAINING FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

NO OTHER STATE DID THAT.

WE HAD THEM AT THE TABLE IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR, WHERE WE HAD A DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THEM, THE CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, AND THE P.T.A., AND THE SUPERINTENDENTS' ASSOCIATION AND THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ASSOCIATION, AGREEING ON A GAME PLAN FORWARD.

I THINK THAT IS UNFOUNDED.

>> Braude: ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WERE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO WAS THE SUSPENSION OF M-CASS.

NO SUSPENSION OF STANDARDIZED TESTING.

YOU PUSHED IT BACK A LITTLE BIT.

BUT I'VE READ THAT OTHER STATES, EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE, I THINK CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK -- I MAY BE OFF BY ONE -- ACTIVELY LOBBIED THE FEDS TO ALLOWED SUSPENSION.

WHY WERE WE NOT IN THAT GROUP?

>> SO WE HAVE LOBBIED THE FEDS FOR A WAIVER AROUND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHICH I THINK WE'RE RECEIVING, BUT AS IS TYPICAL, WE WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE BEFORE WE DECIDE WHAT TO APPLY FOR.

WE WEREN'T SURE IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO ALLOW FOR A WAIVER TO NOT TEST THIS YEAR, BUT THEY CAME DOWN PRETTY HARD AND SAID ALL STATES IN THE COUNTRY HAVE TO TEST.

I KNOW, FOR INSTANCE, GEORGIA TRIED TO PUT IN A WAIVER EVEN THERE WAS NO WAIVER PROCESS, AND THEY WERE SUMMARILY REJECTED.

SO UNLESS THEY PUT IT OUT, IT IS NOT WORTH ANYONE'S TIME APPLYING FOR.

>> Braude: JEFFREY, HOW HARD HAS THIS YEAR BEEN FOR YOU, BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK, I ENJOY THE WORK.

IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE, THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY OWN TWO CHILDREN, WHO ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THEY'VE BEEN REMOTE ALL YEAR LONG.

I'VE SEEN THE STRUGGLES THEY'VE HAD WITH THIS.

BUT I'M ALSO WORRIED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER 900,000 CHILDREN IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND WHAT THIS HAS DONE TO THEM.

AND SO I THINK THE TIME IS NOW TO GET KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL AND START GETTING BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF LEARNING.

>> Braude: SO QUICKLY, BEFORE WE GO, WE DIDN'T DISCUSS HIGH SCHOOL, BUT YOU REMINDED ME OF IT WHEN YOU MENTIONED YOUR OWN KIDS.

WHEN DO YOU EXPECT HIGH SCHOOL KIDS TO BE BACK?

>> WE SAID WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION IN APRIL.

WE UNDERSTAND THE PRESIDENT IS VERY ANXIOUS TO GET KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ON APRIL 5th AND THEN MOVE TO THE MIDDLES AT THE END OF APRIL, AND WE'LL MAKE A DECISION SOMETIME ON THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

>> Braude: JEFFREY RILEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: MORE AMERICANS WOKE UP TO SOME EXTRA CASH IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS THIS MORNING.

TODAY, THE I.R.S.

DEPOSITED ANOTHER BATCH OF THE STIMULUS CHECKS PRESIDENT BIDEN AUTHORIZED WHEN HE SIGNED HIS "AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN" INTO LAW EARLIER THIS MONTH.

LAST WEEK MORE THAN 90 MILLION PEOPLE GOT THEIR DIRECT DEPOSITS, BUT MILLIONS ARE STILL WAITING, AND IT COULD STILL TAKE WEEKS FOR SOME WAITING FOR PAPER CHECKS OR DEBIT CARDS IN THE MAIL.

THE PAYMENTS ARE CAPPED BY INCOME, AND GO UP TO $1400 FOR INDIVIDUALS, $2800 FOR MARRIED COUPLES, AND FOR FAMILIES AN ADDITIONAL $1400 PER DEPENDENT.

FOR MORE ON HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PAYMENT, IF ELIGIBLE, AND HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT, I'M JOINED BY "WASHINGTON POST" PERSONAL FINANCE COLUMNIST MICHELLE SINGLETARY.

SHE'S ALSO THE AUTHOR OF THE FORTHCOMING BOOK: "WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR MONEY WHEN CRISIS HITS: A SURVIVAL GUIDE," WHICH WILL BE OUT IN MAY, AND A GREAT 10-PART SERIES ABOUT RACE AND INEQUALITY IN THE "POST" CALLED "SINCERELY, MICHELLE."

>> Braude: MICHELLE, I'M SINCERELY HAPPY YOU ARE HERE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU YOU,, TOO.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: WHAT PERCENTAGE, ROUGHLY, OF AMERICANS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE $1400 CHECKS AND WHAT PERCENTAGE HAVE GOTTEN THEM SO FAR?

>> ABOUT 80% OF THE AMERICAN POPULATION MAKES ENOUGH THAT THEY QUALIFY FOR THE PAYMENT.

AND THE FIRST BATCH, ABOUT 90 MILLION DIRECT DEPOSITS HAVE ALREADY GONE OUT, AND SHOULD HAVE HIT PEOPLE'S BANK ACCOUNTS.

AND THEN ANOTHER SEVERAL MILLION FOR CHECKS AND DEBIT CARDS.

THERE IS A SECOND BATCH THAT HIT THIS WEEK.

ANOTHER $17 MILLION FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT THAT HIT, TODAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THEN ABOUT 20 MILLION ARE IN THE MAIL, THOSE CHECKS AND DEBIT CARDS.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, BUT SOME ARE NOT HAVING THEM IN THE MAIL BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FILE A TAX RETURN.

AND THEY DIDN'T FILE A TAX RETURN BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THEIR INCOME IS SO LOW.

BUT IF THEY DON'T, THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO SEE THAT CHECK.

SO WHAT DO THEY DO?

>> THERE ARE ACTUALLY TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS QUITE A LOT OF FUSS ON LINE OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED FEDERAL BENEFITS, LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY, S.S.I., VETERANS, THAT WEREN'T IN THIS SORT OF FIRST TWO INITIAL ROLLOUTS, AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE I.R.S.

IS TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION FOR 2021.

AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE, WHO, AS YOU SAY, DON'T FILE TAXES BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH.

THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED.

AND SO THERE IS A HUGE EFFORT TO REACH THOSE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN FILE.

SO IF ANYBODY KNOWS ANYONE WHO DOESN'T NORMALLY FILE, AND THEIR INCOME MEETS THOSE LIMITS, AND THEY PRETTY MUCH WOULD IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO FILE, YOU SHOULD LET THEM KNOW THEY DO NEED TO FILE A 2020 FEDERAL RETURN, EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANY INCOME, JUST PUT THAT IN THERE SO THE I.R.S.

HAS THEIR INFORMATION IN ITS SYSTEM.

>> Braude: THE MOST RADICAL AND ARGUABLY THE MOST AGGRESSIVE POVERTY-FIGHTING DEVICE IN THIS BILL, ACCORDING TO MANY, IS THE INCREASE IN THIS CHILD TAX CREDIT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN BRIEFLY HOW THAT WORKS, MICHELLE?

>> IT IS AN ANTI-POVERTY MEASURE TO GIVE A BOOST TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

NORMALLY IT IS AROUND $2,000 OR SO.

AND SO NOW, UNDER AT LEAST THE THIRD PACKAGE, THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE TO BETWEEN $4,000 TO $8,000 FOR FAMILIES WITH ONE OR MORE CHILDREN.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT IT UNDER THIS STIMULUS PLAN, NORMALLY THEY WOULD FILE THEIR TAXES NEXT YEAR FOR 2021, AND GET A LUMP SUM PAYMENT IF THEY MEET THE INCOME LEVELS.

AND BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, AND THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLING BECAUSE COVID, THEY'RE GOING TO DELIVER THOSE PAYMENTS THIS YEAR.

WE'RE HOPING IT WILL BE MONTHLY, BUT IT WILL BE A REGULAR PAYMENT FROM JULY UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO FAMILIES CAN GET THIS MONEY IN THEIR BUDGET NOW WHEN THEY NEED IT THE MOST.

>> Braude: AND THIS IS THE PROVISION THAT THE EXPERTS, LIKE YOU, ARE SAYING IS GOING TO REDUCE CHILD POVERTY.

ALMOST SAYING THE WORDS IS INCREDIBLE.

50%.

WE SPOKE TO RICHIE NEIL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, AND HIS HOPE AND THE HOPE OF THE PRESIDENT IS TO BECOME A PERMANENT FIXTURE OF WHAT THIS GOVERNMENT DOES FOR ITS PEOPLE.

AND WE SHOULD ALSO SAY THE CRITERIAN FOR ELIGIBILITY, A LOT OF THAT HAS EXPANDED AND PEOPLE SHOULD CHECK THAT OUT SO THEY DON'T LOSE OUT.

MICHELLE, I'VE BEEN READING YOUR STUFF A LONG TYPE.

YOU DID A SERIES THAT WAS A DIFFERENT DIRECTION FOR YOU, "SINCERELY, MICHELLE."

AND IT WAS A 10-PART SERIES IN WHICH YOU SAID YOU GOT PERSONAL ABOUT MISCONCEPTIONS INVOLVING RACE.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO IT?

>> WELL, LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE, I WAS JUST DISHEARTENED BY A LOT OF THE POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN, AND AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AND BREONNA TAYLOR AND SO MANY OTHERS, I JUST FELT LIKE I HAD TO SPEAK OUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST THEM.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.

IN AMERICA, WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THAT.

HONESTLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE BECAUSE THERE IS A BIG RISK OF BEING LABELED AS THE ANGRY BLACK WOMAN OR SOMETHING TO THAT EXTENT.

BUT AT TIMES YOU JUST CAN'T STAY SILENT.

I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT MY ROAD, THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

AND I DID EVERYTHING YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

I WENT TO COLLEGE, I'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 30 YEARS, I HAD MY KIDS -- I MEAN, ALL OF THE RIGHT THINGS, AND I STILL FACED DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE, AND PEOPLE ASSUMING THINGS ABOUT ME JUST BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN.

AND I WANTED TO OPEN UP A CONVERSATION.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL GUILTY.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME.

BUT WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE SOME CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE.

IN MY CASE, I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT RACE AND MONEY.

>> Braude: WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE DID YOU GET TO THIS?

>> YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE ME CRY.

>> Braude: WELL, THAT'S MY ANSWER, I THINK.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY, I KNEW THAT I'D GET SOME PUSHBACK.

YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU WRITE ABOUT RACE.

YOU KNOW IT.

BUT THE TYPE -- THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAID TO ME HERE IN 2020 JUST -- IT JUST BROKE MY HEART.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE, YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO SAY THOSE NASTY THINGS AND CALL YOU THE "N" WORD AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE, RIGHT, AND THEY WOULD TELL ME WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING AND WHERE THEY LIVE, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND YOU'RE THINKING, THESE ARE EDUCATED PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER, MANAGERS AND -- I WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE THINGS THAT THEY SAID TO ME.

BUT I WOULD HAVE TO ALSO SAY THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF COMMENTS FROM WHITE FOLKS -- WHITE PEOPLE WERE JUST LIKE I DID NOT KNOW THIS.

I'M SO GLAD YOU OPENED UP MY EYES.

I WAS DOING THINGS AND DID NOT REALIZE THE IMPACT OF WHAT I WAS DOING.

AND THAT LIFTED MY SPIRIT JUST A TIMES WHERE I WOULD GET THOSE VERY HATEFUL, RACIST E-MAILS AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM PEOPLE.

>> Braude: I'M ONE OF THE WHITE GUYS WHOSE EYES WERE OPEN, AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVED YOUR WRITING ABOUT YOUR GRANDMOTHER.

THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU GO, IN ADDITION TO MY LEARNING A LOT FROM YOUR COLUMN, AND YOU'RE A REGULAR NOW ON OUR RADIO SHOW, WHICH WE LOVE, YOU ALTERED MY TV VIEWING HABITS AS WELL.

I WANT TO SHOW YOU A CLIP FROM SOMETHING THAT I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF BEFORE YOU.

HERE IT IS.

>> WE WANT TO HAVE.

>> LISTEN TO ME.

>> EVAN, YOU CAN JUST SAY -- >> I WANT OUR WEDDING TO BE THE BEST WEDDING OF ALL OF THE ONES WE'VE BEEN TO.

>> HOW DO WE PICK BETWEEN THE DAY THAT WE DESERVE AND WE WANT IN THE FUTURE?

>> Braude: I BLAME YOU.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M WATCHING MORTGAGE AND MARRIAGE OR MARRIAGE AND MORTGAGE OR WHATEVER THE HECK IT IS CALLED ON NETFLIX.

A COUPLE GETS $35,000, AND A COUPLE FROM EACH INDUSTRY, MARRIAGE OR THE HOUSING INDUSTRY, URGE THEM TO DO THAT THING, A BIG WEDDING, SERIOUS DOWN PAYMENT ON A HOUSE, AND WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THE COUPLES THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THAT MISGUIDED ADVENTURE?

>> IT IS A NETFLIX SERIES CALLED "MARRIAGE OR MORTGAGE."

AND COUPLES HAD SAVED UP TO $35,000, AND IT'S THEIR OWN MONEY.

>> Braude: I'M SORRY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND THERE IS A RETAILER ANDREALTORAND A WEDDING PLANNER AND THEY BOTH COMPETE FOR THEIR BUSINESS.

ARE THEY GOING TO CHOOSE BASICALLY A PARTY, THE RECEPTION, OR ARE YOU GOING TO USE THAT MONEY FOR A DOWN PAYMENT ON A HOME?

WHEN I HEARD THE PITCH FIRST, I WAS, LIKE, C'MON, OF COURSE YOU WOULD PICK THE MORTGAGE.

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL THAT YOU CAN AFFORD THE PAYMENTS AND SO FORTH.

AND I WAS STUNNED, JUST STUNNED, AT THE PEOPLE WHO DECIDED TO HAVE THIS BIG WEDDING, AND THE PEOPLE WHO DECIDED TO, YOU KNOW, INVEST IN THEIR FUTURE WITH A MORTGAGE AND A HOME.

AT TIMES I JUST WANTED TO THROW MY SHOE AT THE TELEVISION.

BUT WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE SERIES IS IT WOULD FACILITATE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GOOD DECISION-MAKING.

AND MOST PEOPLE MAKE FINANCIAL MISTAKES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE GOOD DECISION-MAKING SKILLS.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT MADE ME SO FASCINATED BY THIS SHOW.

AND THANKFULLY, I'M SO CHEAP I DIDN'T THROW MY SHOE AT THE TV BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO BREAK IT.

>> Braude: BECAUSE OF YOU, I'M NEVER GOING TO GET THOSE HOURS BACK, MICHELLE SINGLETARY.

IT GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME TO YOU.

>> Braude: AND I SHOULD NOTE, IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A STIMULUS CHECK BUT HAVEN'T GOTTEN YOURS YET, HEAD TO irs.gov AND CLICK "GET MY PAYMENT."

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, REMEMBERING SOME OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE COVID DEATH TOLL, WITH THE HELP OF THE "FACES OF COVID" TWITTER ACCIDENT.

LATEST IN OUR ONGOING GBH NEWS SERIES, "COVID AND THE CLASSROOM."

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org