The governor has included some important river priorities in his plan for spending the state’s American Rescue Plan Act federal money. This is a rare opportunity to significantly help improve water quality, habitat, and climate resilience, but we need your help to make sure it happens!
Background– Governor Baker released a spending plan that included $400M for water and sewer upgrades, $300M for climate resilience via the MVP grant program, and $100M for park facilities. The legislature rejected that plan so they could create their own with public input.
Action – Make sure your legislators know what priorities you’d like to see get a piece of the federal pie! Call and email their offices over the next two weeks to ask that the legislature appropriate at least $800M for climate resilience, including water and sewer upgrades, green infrastructure projects, and park facilities. Find your legislator here.
Next steps – The Joint Ways and Means Committee will hold a series of hearings starting July 20 to gather input on how they should appropriate the funds. We’re waiting to see when the environment hearing is, but when it’s announced, we’ll need folks to speak up for our priorities!