House weighs $715 million spending bill
Photo | Courtesy
The Massachusetts State House
The House gave initial approval Tuesday to a $715 million spending bill that allocates fiscal 2019 surplus tax revenues on new spending and covers spending in the state accounts that were underfunded in the annual budget.
The House plans on Wednesday to consider the bill (H 4127), and possible amendments, during a formal session on Wednesday. Amendments to the bill are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The bill includes nearly $334 million for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, including $296.5 million for the MassHealth fee for service line item.
A $750,000 authorization would pay early voting costs in connection with next year's presidential primary in Massachusetts.
A $2.5 million item directs aid to Cape Cod communities that were hit with a tornado on July 23. The bill also includes a $195,0000 reserve to fund "efforts to enhance safety and mitigate harms stemming from the increased presence of great white sharks in the Cape Cod region, including but not limited to shark tagging, monitoring and surveillance activities."
The bill also includes $8.4 million for testing of potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination of water supplies and grants to support treatment and design of affected drinking water systems; $10 million for a downpayment assistance program at the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency; and $5 million for an infrastructure grant program to assist public schools in enhancing safety and security measures.
House Ways and Means Committee members advanced the bill Tuesday after receiving it on Columbus Day night.
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How about spending some of that money to reduce our personal income taxes as the voters have consistently requested.
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