Battle brewing between Charlie Baker, Legislature over $5.3 billion in coronavirus aid to Massachusetts
Battle lines are already being drawn over $5.3 billion in federal coronavirus recovery funds headed to the state as the Baker administration pushed back on the Legislature’s attempt to swipe the cash into an account requiring a public process.
The House moved to push the money into a segregated fund on Tuesday, with the state Senate expected to act next week. The move will require a public process for appropriating the $5.28 billion in unrestricted funds headed to Massachusetts from President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka said in a joint statement the accounting change will “ensure that we maximize the impact of these one-time dollars.”
“These funds are designed to address the profound needs of our communities, as well as provide the tools necessary to ensure a steady and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions,” the legislative leaders said.
“A public legislative process will allow all communities, especially those impacted the most by COVID-19, to help determine where investments are most needed. These investments may potentially be spread out over a number of years to ensure our continued economic vitality,” Spilka and Mariano continued.
The Legislature has looked to increase its oversight role in the appropriation of aid dollars after what some lawmakers expressed was a lengthy and drawn-out process to dole out federal CARES Act money.
Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration slapped back on Tuesday, saying it is ready to act quickly to distribute ARP funds.
“As authorized by the federal government, the $5.3 billion in discretionary funding does not require legislative appropriation and the Administration is ready to work with municipal, non-profit, private sector and legislative partners to invest these funds quickly,” Sarah Finlaw, Baker’s communications director, said in a statement.
Should the Legislature move forward, it could threaten to displace funding already committed to needy communities by the Baker administration. The administration has already promised $100 million to Chelsea, Revere, Methuen and Randolph — communities hard hit by coronavirus but shortchanged by federal funding formulas.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3yWPWxy
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