Governor signs $5.2B general government bond bill, vetoes some sections

Gov. Charlie Baker yesterday signed a bond bill that will provide roughly $5.2 billion in capital investments related to various general government infrastructure, including authorizations for state programs, services, agencies and institutions, many of which affect municipalities.

The governor signed the majority of the bill (H. 5065), but vetoed several sections, including a new technology grant program for municipalities to expand remote or hybrid access to public meetings, and a five-year moratorium on prison and jail construction, both of which had been included in the compromise bill passed unanimously by the Legislature on July 26.

With the end of formal legislative sessions earlier this week, the vetoes cannot be overridden, as doing so would require “supermajority” votes in each chamber.

Key municipal items in the final version of the legislation include:
• $100 million for municipal grants to support a range of local infrastructure improvements and projects
• $84 million to support state matching funds required to secure federal dollars for the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund, which helps cities and towns improve water supply infrastructure and drinking water safety, and to make a $20 million dedicated investment in the Drinking Water Revolving Fund
• $60 million for the Housing Stabilization Fund, which provides funding for municipalities, nonprofits, for-profit developers and local housing authorities in support of affordable rental housing production and rehabilitation
• $50 million for the Cultural Facilities Fund to provide grants for planning, acquisition, rehabilitation and construction of cultural facilities, administered through Massachusetts Cultural Council and MassDevelopment
• $25 million for Housing Choice grants to municipalities that receive a Housing Choice designation