THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 4, 2024 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 only six times (30 percent of the time). NUMBER OF TIMES REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORTED GOV. HEALEY’S VETOES IN THE 2024 SESSION Here is how your representative fared in his or her support of Gov. Healey on the vetoes. The percentage next to the representative’s name represents the percentage of times that he or she supported Healey. The number in parentheses represents the actual number of times the representative supported Healey. Rep. Joseph McGonagle 0 percent (0) ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL USE INTEREST FROM STATE’S “RAIN DAY FUND” TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDS (S 2954) – Gov. Maura Healey signed into law legislation that would leverage the interest from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to better compete for federal dollars, to ensure the state receives the maximum possible share of federal funds and to pay down the state’s long term debt liabilities. The Rainy Day Fund currently has a historic balance of $8.2 billion. Supporters said the bill would require the state comptroller to transfer interest from the Rainy Day Fund to the Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund on a quarterly basis if the Rainy Day balance contains a healthy amount of money. The Secretary of Administration and Finance would then pursue federal funds for infrastructure, resiliency and economic development. “From day one of our administration, we’ve been committed to competing aggressively to win more federal investments in Massachusetts,” said Gov. Healey. “We know that every federal dollar we pull in is vital to repairing our bridges and roads, improving transportation infrastructure in all parts of the state, leading the clean energy revolution, and supporting our workforce at every step. With this legislation, we will be able to provide unprecedented tools for our communities to seek the federal support they need.” “We are constantly competing with 49 other states for our share of limited federal dollars,” said Rep. Matt Muratore (R-Plymouth). “Leveraging the interest on our Rainy Day Fund will give us a significant advantage by better positioning Massachusetts to successfully secure much-needed federal dollars that will help pay for a wide range of infrastructure projects.” “This legislation puts Massachusetts in a position to take full advantage of federal grant opportunities to ensure we don’t leave a single dollar on the table,” said Sen. John Cronin (D-Fitchburg). “This bill will help our commonwealth partner with the federal government to meet our challenges and build for the future.” “Remaining competitive, BEACON | SEE PAGE 18
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