Gov. Healey's First Big Bill: $1 Billion For Housing, Economy

BOSTON, MA — In her first major legislative move since taking office earlier this month, Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday said she'll ask state lawmakers to approve two proposed bond bills providing $987 million for economic development projects, and $400 million bill for road infrastructure.

Almost half of the nearly $1 billion "immediate needs" bond bill would go to MassWorks, a main state program that funds infrastructure improvements for economic development projects. The $400 million in Healey's proposal would fund program grants through 2028.

"This bill ensures that critical housing, infrastructure and community development programs have the funding needed to continue serving the people of Massachusetts. And it’s only the start of our administration’s proposed capital investments," Healey said after an announcement at Greylock Works, a former cotton mill in North Adams that benefited from a MassWorks grant.

The bill would also provide for a $200 million state match to compete for funds from the federal CHIPS and Science Act — a pot of money aimed at growing semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S.

Healey's proposal also includes $104 million for the Clean Water Trust, an arm of the state Treasurer that provides low-interest loans to communities that need to make water infrastructure improvements. There's also $52 million for manufacturing initiatives, $48 million to fix aging public housing units and $9.3 million for expanding broadband to rural areas.

For road infrastructure, Healey wants lawmakers to authorize $400 million for the state's Chapter 90 program, which provides money to cities and towns across the state for projects ranging from building ADA accessible ramps and rail trails to pedestrian signals, bridge replacements and road resurfacing.

The two funding requests are bond bills, which means that with approval from state lawmakers, the state would borrow money to fund the various projects. Healey has asked for a two-year borrowing authorization to give cities and towns time to request funds.