Source: State House News Service
The House pumped another $11.6 million into its fiscal 2024 budget proposal Wednesday afternoon, unanimously approving scores of earmarks aimed at housing, energy, and environmental issues, along with recreational facilities across the state.
The lengthy mega-amendment (Consolidated Amendment "F") tabs $20 million to specifically flow into the state's Offshore Wind Industry Investment Fund, out of the $25 million originally marked for the Clean Energy Investment Fund.
Rep. Jeff Roy, the House's point-person on energy matters, celebrated "good news from a jury in Maine" during his floor speech.
The Franklin Democrat referenced a Maine court ruling that will allow Central Maine Power to resume work on the New England Clean Energy Connect project and "put the transmission line to deliver hydroelectric power from Canada to Massachusetts and the rest of the region back on track." He said the Maine project would help this state "reach our climate goals in conjunction with the spending we are voting on today."
Among the heaps of local earmarks are: $100,000 for work on the LoConte Memorial Ice Rink in Medford; $500,000 for the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance for "modernization and maintenance of sustainable fishing"; $100,000 toward the Watertown Housing Authority's redevelopment process at Willow Park Apartments; $100,000 for Weymouth-based New England Wildlife Center; $500,000 for the Boston Public Market food hall; $100,000 for food pantry repairs and a refrigerator truck at the Lower Cape Outreach Council; and $50,000 for PFAS remediation in Burlington and Bedford.
Rep. Daniel Cahill, co-chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, highlighted PFAS remediation spending along with a 15 percent increase over last year's budget for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and work on dams around the state, which the Lynn Democrat said was especially important for the central and western regions.
"There are a lot of dam problems in the commonwealth, and we've heard a lot of dam issues. And I want to thank all representatives that have dam cities and dam towns for their advocation for more dam resources and more dam funding," Cahill said, drawing laughter and applause.
The nine-page amendment also includes language dealing with a ban on the storage of hazardous waste in buildings, temporary structures, and vehicles unless they are equipped with approved fire suppression systems.
Representatives met privately Wednesday afternoon to make their final pitches for amendments in the labor and economic development category. Proposals that find favor with top Democrats are expected to emerge later in the day as Consolidated Amendment "G."
Chinese food from the Kowloon Restaurant, co-owned by Rep. Don Wong of Saugus, often features as a dinner meal during the annual House budget week. On Wednesday, however, Kowloon was being served up in the mid-afternoon in the Great Hall, where representatives gathered to feast cafeteria-style for a late lunch. With only two jumbo amendments left to go, some conversations in the state capitol are also turning to Game 5 in the Bruins-Panthers series which starts at 7 p.m. - Sam Doran/SHNS | 4/26/23 3:49 PM
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