On Thursday, the Senate passed legislation to provide funding to continue current transportation-related projects through Fiscal Year 2013. The Chapter 90 funds appropriated by this bill for local projects, including roadway and bridge repairs, will support the infrastructure of the Commonwealth’s cities and towns. This appropriation of $200 million (equivalent to last year’s appropriation) represents the highest level of Chapter 90 funding to date.
Below, please find a chart comparing Chapter 90 appropriations for each community from Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013:
Municipality FY 2012 Apportionment FY 2013 Apportionment
Arlington $783,973 $787,547
Belmont $532,410 $533,176
Boston $14,410,230 14,429,936
Cambridge $2,571,729 $2,538,709
Watertown $742,451 $744,063
In addition, the Transportation Bond Bill authorizes the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to borrow $885 million to fund existing programs, thereby ensuring that state dollars will be available to leverage federal dollars to fund $1.5 billion worth of transportation projects.
A link to the full bill can be found at the following link: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S02220
The bill will next be sent to the House of Representatives for passage.
The Chapter 90 funding does not have a timeline attached to it yet. The House had voted on Chapter 90 funding alone, rather than Chapter 90 funding grouped with other appropriations under the Transportation Bond Bill; the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill need to be ironed out (perhaps in conference committee) before the legislation can make its way to the Governor’s desk.
For additional questions, please contact Anne Johnson in Senator Brownsberger’s office at anne.johnson@masenate.gov or at 617-722-1280.