Senate passes economic development bill

The Senate yesterday passed a $2.8 billion economic development bond bill that was similar to the one passed by the House on June 27.

The two bills now go to a House-Senate conference committee to work out the differences.

The Senate bill (S. 2856) includes many of the same investments as the House bill (H. 4804), including:
• $400 million for MassWorks grants for local infrastructure
• $100 million for the Rural Development Fund
• $150 million for the Public Library Construction Program to help municipalities update and rehabilitate these essential facilities
• $100 million for grants, through the Seaport Economic Council, to provide support for the state’s 78 coastal municipalities to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change
• $400 million for climate technology bonding authorizations

The Senate adopted an amendment, known as SAPHE 2.0, that would create a statewide action plan for bolstering public health services, while providing important fiscal safeguards for municipalities.

The Senate also adopted a “happy hour” amendment to allow for the local adoption of rules around serving discounted alcoholic drinks.

The House bill included an amendment to update and modernize civil service hiring practices, but a similar amendment was withdrawn in the Senate.