Gov. Unveils Stimulus Program Web Site (click here)
Bay State Could Get Up To $11B In Stimulus Package
POSTED: 9:34 am EST February 11, 2009
UPDATED: 6:46 am EST February 122009
BOSTON -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday that he wants to let the public clearly and easily monitor the state's use of any federal stimulus money it receives....
Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Plan (click here)
The people in Massachusetts are energized. They are making wish lists. In Boston, there are hopes for quality improvements to infrastructure as well as being able to maintain jobs for teachers.
The cities of the state are lining up for monies that will protect and enhance their communities. The competition is intense. Where 'job sharing' or 'time sacrifice' to maintain peers in their jobs has become an everyday occurrence, the state governments are ready to go 'full time' once again.
I congratulate the Governors that worked as hard as the President to bring this economic stimulus to their citizens. In all honesty, these monies can go a long way, but, the primary focus should be projects that create jobs and sustainable jobs.
I sincerely believe and it only makes sense that sustainable jobs will increase the tax base, which will increase the state's income, which will provide MORE opportunity for more job grow and MORE projects. Eventually, the tax base will be returned to full blossom and all the projects can recieve funding.
The opportunity presented to the states should be viewed as one of growth and sustainable futures.
...The governor's administration has expressed sensitivity to the perception and is trying to head off a political feeding frenzy by setting up a process that will be palatable to elected officials of all stripes. Patrick is expected to announce part of the plan today.
How much in total aid Massachusetts and its residents would receive is still in flux, but it could be as much as $11 billion over two years. Officials have said they hope to create tens of thousands of jobs with the economic jump-start generated by the money, and save tens of thousands more positions by avoiding layoffs....
...House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo declined to be interviewed.
US Senator John F. Kerry told reporters yesterday that he had asked the governor to use federal stimulus money to finance a commuter rail extension from Boston to Fall River and New Bedford.
"Everybody thinks that their project is the most important project, and I understand that," Capuano said. "If God Almighty himself were making the decisions, some people would still be unhappy with the decisions."
