Charlie Baker says Massachusetts lawmakers need to act fast to get federal coronavirus aid to those in need

Gov. Charlie Baker relinquished control over about $5 billion of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act funding — ending an ongoing power struggle with the Democrat-led Legislature with the stroke of his pen, but he’s still pressuring lawmakers to act quickly.

Immediately after signing the bill on Monday, Baker announced plans to refile a $2.9 billion spending proposal nearly identical to one lawmakers rejected just last week.

“We are eager to work with the Legislature to put these funds to work,” Baker said, adding quick disbursement of the federal funds would “immediately aid those hardest hit by COVID-19 like communities of color and lower-wage workers.”

Both the Republican governor and Beacon Hill Democrats have expressed a desire for a “collaborative” process, but differ in how and when the funds should be doled out.

After leaving discretion over how to spend federal coronavirus relief dollars in the governor’s hands throughout the height of the pandemic, lawmakers made a grab at the purse strings for ARPA money.

“We will continue to seek input from the Governor and expect that he will file additional legislation so that his priorities can be part of that process,” Senate President Karen Spilka and House Majority Leader Ronald Mariano wrote in a joint statement after rejecting the governor’s initial proposal.

It’s a process that’s likely to drag on for months as legislation is filed and hearings play out over the summer and into the fall — and Baker says quicker action is needed.

“It’s crucial that the Legislature act quickly and not hold up these important investments. Communities of color, the hardest-hit areas of the Commonwealth, should not have to wait to have their tax dollars be put to work,” Baker said in a statement.

Baker’s plan includes major investments in housing and homeownership supports, economic development, job training, addiction treatment, and water and sewer infrastructure. It would leave about $2 billion in a fund for lawmakers.

Democratic leaders touted the state Legislature’s process — which includes the public, both legislative branches, and the executive branch — saying it has “has effectively allowed us to pass nation-leading bills.”

But 18 state senators and representatives and a growing number of progressive organizations are taking aim at State House rules they say allow too much discussion to play out in the dark behind closed doors. They are demanding a mix of reforms including requiring bills be made public at least 72 hours before they are voted on. A report is due out Thursday.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3haN1KV