Governor meets with Mass. delegation on stimulus plan

The Massachusetts congressional delegation noted that President-elect Obama has urged states to have their wish lists ready, since he wants to money to be spent immediately both to restore infrastructure but also to lower unemployment and spur consumer spending.

By GLEN JOHNSON
The Associated Press

12/17/2008

BOSTON — The state’s first Democratic governor in 16 years and its all-Democratic congressional delegation met Wednesday to ensure Massachusetts is poised to take advantage of an up to $1 trillion economic stimulus plan expected to pass the House and Senate shortly after Democrat Barack Obama takes office.

Gov. Deval Patrick handed over a list of $4.7 billion worth of projects he said could be started within six months, including $1.5 billion requested by cities and towns, $783 million in the transportation sector and $629 million on state facilities.

Among them: $811 million for clean water projects, $200 million for rebates to replace oil furnaces with pellet stoves and $100 million to accelerate solar power conversions at state facilities. The list also includes bridge repairs across the state, as well as road resurfacing and individual requests such as $29 million for roadwork around Nantucket Airport.

“We are poised to take advantage of an opportunity to rebuild our roads, our bridges, but also, at the same time, to focus upon our innovation economy that has given us stimulus and green jobs and broadband technology and biotech that can help give Massachusetts an economic edge in the future,” said Rep. Edward Markey of Malden, the delegation dean, after the hourlong meeting at the Statehouse.

Rep. Stephen Lynch of Boston, a former ironworker, expressed hope the work will involve local laborers to boost in-state spending, while Rep. James McGovern of Worcester also said he expected some of the money would be dedicated to social services straining with an influx of cases as the nation enters its worst recession since the Great Depression.

“Help is on the way,” he said.

Rep. Richard Neal, the former mayor of Springfield, said he also impressed upon Patrick the importance of having a list that spreads the work around the state — especially in the aftermath of the $15 billion Central Artery in Boston.

“Many of us saw worthwhile projects fall by the wayside during those Big Dig years, and the result is that those projects, I hope, make their way back up to the top of the list,” Neal said. “There’s a bigger state out there than Boston.”

The members have said the Obama plan will likely range from $500 billion to $1 trillion, spread over two years. They noted the president-elect has urged states to have their wish lists ready, since he wants to money to be spent immediately both to restore infrastructure but also to lower unemployment and spur consumer spending.

“Each state, the better ready they are, the more they can take advantage of the opportunity,” Rep. Niki Tsongas of Lowell said.

Rep. Michael Capuano of Somerville told reporters: “Whatever we come up with in Washington, however it’s distributed, however much money there might be, Massachusetts will be in a better position after today’s meeting.”

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.