Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 Legislature passes ARPA, FY21 Surplus Spending Bill O n Friday, December 3, the Massachusetts Legislature advanced An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, a $4 billion bill, to the governor’s desk. The bill directs federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funding to assist the Commonwealth’s ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on making equitable investments and prioritizing communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the bill delivers targeted supports to workers and businesses and the critical sectors of housing, health care, mental and behavioral health, climate preparedness, education and workforce development. “This ARPA spending bill puts our community on the path to a successful and equitable recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am honored to have partnered with our entire legislative delegation to make the most of this historic opportunity for our constituents,” said State Senator Brendan Crighton. “These investments will signifi cantly improve quality of life for residents through tarLawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net geted initiatives, which include workforce training programs, mental health supports, climate change mitigation eff orts, and funding to produce accessible and aff ordable housing.” “This ARPA funding has come just at the right time. The Senate and the House have worked very hard to get this federal funding passed as it is much needed by the Commonwealth and our communities to assist with recovery eff orts,” said State Representative Donald Wong. “It is a much welcome gift for the Holiday Season. Wishing everyone health, wealth, and happiness.” “The investments that will be made as a result of this legislation will have signifi cant impacts on the individuals and families within my district,” said State Representative Jessica Giannino. “Additionally, signifi cant funding will be directed to climate resiliency eff orts and behavioral health supports in the Commonwealth. I am deeply grateful to Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz for addressing these critical needs.” Crighton, Wong and Giannino worked together to secure $100,000 for increased pedestrian lighting on public ways in Saugus and $20,000 for a new commercial stove for the American Legion Post 210 in Saugus. homeownership: • $150M for supportive housing, including $65M for the chronically homeless population and $20M to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for veterans not primarily served by the Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea or Holyoke • $150M for public housing authorities to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure • $115M for the CommonDonald Wong State Representative The legislation includes the following investments: For economic recovery and workforce development: • $500 million (M) for premium pay bonuses for essential workers, up to $2,000 per worker • $500M for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, providing necessary relief to businesses • $100M for vocational school infrastructure and capacity building needs • $37.5M for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to support organizations working with people displaced from jobs during the pandemic, historically underserved populations, and individuals reentering their communities from the corrections system • $50M for equitable and affordable broadband access and infrastructure improvements to close the digital divide • $135M for the Mass CulturA BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT THAT CHECKS ALL THE BOXES. 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COM Member FDIC Member DIF al Council • $75M for small businesses, including $50M for direct grants to historically underserved populations and minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned small businesses and $25M for nascent businesses • $15M for regional high-demand workforce training at community colleges • $25M for the expansion of Career Technical Institutes • $24.5M for workforce development and capital assistance grants to the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, as well $4.5M for the YWCAs • $20M for the resettlement of Afghan and Haitian evacuees • $15M to enhance and diversify the cybersecurity sector with partnerships between public higher education institutions and private businesses • $14M for agricultural economy supports • $10M for regional tourism RIGHT BY YOU councils For affordable housing and Wealth Builder Program to support housing production and promote homeownership among residents of disproportionately impacted communities • $115M for aff ordable rental housing production and preservation for the workforce and low- and moderate-income individuals • $65M for homeownership assistance tools, including down payment assistance, and mortgage interest subsidy supports Mental and behavioral health, public health and health care: • $400M in mental and behavioral health supports, including $122M for workforce loan repayment programs for behavioral health and substance use professionals • $300M for the Home and Community-Based Services Federal Investment Fund to address workforce needs for those caring for vulnerable populations • $200.1M to support the state’s local and regional public health infrastructure • $260M for acute hospitals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic • $44.8M for food security infrastructure, including $17M for The Greater Boston Food Bank for regional food security network improvements across the Commonwealth, $5M for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, $2M for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to provide loans, grants and technical assistance in a regionally equitable manner to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, $1.92M for Project Bread to better connect eligible unenrolled residents with federal nutrition programs statewide, and $1M for the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. for the operation of empowerment centers and to support the distribution of food to veterans in need • $30M to support a robust and diverse home health care and human service workforce through recruitment, retention and loan forgiveness programming LEGISLATURE | SEE PAGE 17
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