New IT Bond Bill to Save Taxpayers $272 Million

Governor Deval Patrick was joined by Senator Brian A. Joyce for the signing of the Information Technology Bond Bill on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Governor’s office in Boston.

This bill will save taxpayers $272 million, according to a statement released by Joyce.

The $929 million Information Technology Bond Bill, authored by Joyce, will create a matching grant program providing enhanced IT and broadband access for public schools across Massachusetts.

This Information Technology Bond Bill will also reform the IT selection and procurement project process to guard against waste.

“This legislation will ensure that our schools can implement technology upgrades to prepare our children for college and beyond while modernizing the state’s technology infrastructure and enacting the reforms needed to help protect taxpayers against expensive and broken IT projects,” explained Joyce in a statement.

The bill was altered by the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets chaired by Joyce, to save taxpayers an estimated $272 million by restructuring the terms of the bonds.

The bill also added a $38 million competitive matching grant program that will provide improved IT infrastructure and increased broadband access for students in Massachusetts. This program was administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Information Technology Division.

“I thank the governor and his administration for their support of this important bill,” said Joyce in a statement.

Photo (l-r) Senator Brian A. Joyce and Governor Deval Patrick