THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 24, 2024 Page 7 Representative Wong supports $1.235B bond bill to address the state’s information technology needs B OSTON – State Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus) recently voted in favor of legislation that authorizes $1.235 billion in state bond funding to help improve the Commonwealth’s information technology and cyber-security capabilities. House Bill 4642, An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts, was engrossed by the House of Representatives on a vote of 152-2 on May 15. The House bill is a redrafted version of legislation that was originally filed by Governor Maura Healey on January 9 as House Bill 4242. MEMORIAL DAY| FROM PAGE 6 sisted that Stanley dress properly when serving Mass – it was one of the “rules of the house.” Stanley did not think clothes mattered, particularly Representative WONG said the information technology bond bill was fi led in response to an assessment conducted by the Executive Offi ce of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) Offi ce of Capital Planning. EOTSS worked closely with the Executive Offi ce for Administration and Finance (A&F) to identify the state’s IT capital project needs over the next fi ve years and to determine the funding levels necessary to meet those needs. According to Representative WONG, the House bill provides funding for strengthening cybersecurity, increasing IT capital effi ciencies, improving the digital user experience in front of God and occasionally, he would send that message to his mother in a very clever way. “Sometimes he would sneak by me Sunday mornings wearing his favorite black hightop sneakers unbeknownst to me,” said his mother. “At Mass, between state agencies and residents, and supporting future AI-augmented services. This includes a $150 million capital funding authorization overseen by A&F to help municipal governments, as well as regional school districts and regional vocational technical high schools, to address cyber security threats and improve the security of critical technology infrastructure. An additional $25 million is allocated in the IT bond bill to enhance the quality, effi ciency, and delivery of state services to the public and the interactions between Massachusetts residents and state agencies. This will includethe when he knelt before the altar, I could see those sneakers beneath his church garb. It was as if he was saying, ‘See Ma, God loves me no matter what I wear.’” When not in school, StanMEMORIAL DAY | SEE PAGE 9 purchase, licensing, and implementation of artifi cial intelligence and machine learning systems for the state’s various agencies, following established enterprise security policies and protocols. In addition, House Bill 4642 authorizes $30 million in competitive matching grants through A&F to assist municipalities and tribal governments with building fi ber broadband infrastructure. Representative WONG said it also includes $25 million for the Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services to fund the Community Compact Information Technology Grant Program, which assists cities and towns with their one-time capital needs, such as technology infrastructure and software. Representative WONG noted the House IT bond bill also establishes a new Information Technology Federal Reimbursement Fund. This non-budgeted special revenue fund will be administered by the secretary of EOTSS and used exclusively to support information technology projects related to health and human services. House Bill 4642 now moves to the Senate for its consideration. RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM
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