Hoping to pave the way for the state and area-communities to receive millions of federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) over the next two years, my House colleagues and I recently passed legislation aimed at streamlining federal funding for infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth that would create jobs and spur economic growth. 

At first glance, the passage of this technical legislation isn’t too glamorous but it is my hope that it will mean the world of difference in helping us to secure funding for projects critical to the communities I represent and put our neighbors back to work.

The bill – the product of a partnership between leaders in the construction and building trades, labor representatives and leaders in government – includes a number of provisions that would help ensure that the Commonwealth has regulations in place that allow for smooth and transparent processes to meet federal deadlines as the state continues working with federal officials to secure $8.7 billion in potential stimulus funding. 

Specific provisions in the legislation include the following: 
 

• It authorizes the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust to charge less than the current statutory 2% interest rate for loans or other financial assistance that it provides from the state’s revolving fund. This change is required to make the state eligible for $186 million in ARRA-funded clean water and drinking water grants;
• The bill extends from 18 weeks to 26 weeks the permissible time period to receive unemployment benefits while participating in a training program. This change is needed to make the state eligible for approximately $186 million in ARRA unemployment insurance funds;
• It amends the provisions for our procurement laws for projects which receive any federal stimulus funds and establishes further accounting procedures to distribute and track stimulus dollars; and
• It creates technical assistance and bond guarantee programs to ensure that all businesses can participate in and benefit from ARRA-funded opportunities, including small businesses and minority and women-owned businesses

Since the ARRA was passed into law earlier this year, I have worked closely with state and local officials to do my best to ensure that federal stimulus funds coming back to the Commonwealth go to funding the services and projects critical to my constituents. My colleagues and I on the House Ways & Means Committee worked hard to see that a portion of the funds were used to mitigate cuts in local aid in the FY10 budget brought on by the decline in the global economy. Along with my colleagues in the Brockton Legislative Delegation, I have also strongly advocated for more stimulus funding to be used specifically within the fire service to curb proposed layoffs for firefighters, EMTs and first-responders within the Brockton Fire Department and fire departments throughout the Commonwealth. Last month I led a meeting with West Bridgewater town officials to discuss potential ARRA funding to replace the water tank and upgrade the water lines within the town. And more recently I have been working with leaders from Self Help’s Head Start Program in hopes of expanding their programming to serve pregnant mothers, infants and toddlers throughout the Greater-Brockton area.