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          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

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Legislature Advances Over $1 Billion for Chamber Priorities

November 29, 2021

<span class=NormalTextRun SCXW174051673 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=normaltextrun <the November 11, 2021

<span class=NormalTextRun SCXW174051673 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=normaltextrun <the The Massachusetts House and Senate proposals to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and supplemental budget revenues include funding for numerous Chamber priorities, including workforce and skills development programs, hospitality and tourism, and unemployment insurance trust fund relief. <span class=NormalTextRun SCXW174051673 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=normaltextrun <insurance trust= fund= relief  

The branches agree on many priorities, such as a $500 million transfer to the Unemployment Insurance <span class=NormalTextRun SCXW174051673 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=normaltextrun <insuranceTrust Fund, but there are many differences among the two <span class=NormalTextRun SCXW174051673 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=normaltextrun <there= are= some= differences= among= the= two bills. The Senate proposal emphasizes housing production and mental health services, while the House proposal includes higher funding levels for workforce development and local public health systems.  
 
<span class=NormalTextRun SCXW174051673 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=normaltextrun <the= legislatureThe Legislature will form a conference committee to resolve the differences between the chambers, with a goal of passing a final spending bill by Wednesday, November 17.  

Key Items in House Proposal

 Item  Number  

 Funding Source  

 Amount  

 Subject Area  

1599-2026  

Federal  

$125 million  

Grant program for cultural nonprofits.  

1599-2027  

Supplemental   

$150 million  

For workforce skills training primarily for workers dislocated  from the pandemic. Programs include career technical   as  well as additional training models. 

1599-2036  

Federal  

$65 million  

For a youth-at-risk summer jobs program. 

1599-2037  

Federal  

$265 million  

$140 million for various workforce training initiatives and youth educational services, $100 million for vocational and career technical school capital improvements and $25 million for the Endowment Incentive Program, which provides $1 in state matching funds for every $2 raised by private fundraising by colleges and universities. 

1599-3000  

Federal  

$60 million  

For small businesses grants to cover ongoing costs such as employee payroll and benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and interest on other debt obligations.  

7003-0102  

Supplemental   

$10 million  

Direct funding for workforce development initiatives such as $100,000 for MissionSAFE of Boston for the expansion of pre-apprenticeship and job skills programming.  

7002-1530  

Supplemental   

$63 million  

Direct funding for cultural and tourism projects such as $1 million for the New England Aquarium Corporation for maintenance upgrades and other improvements necessary for the operation of facilities.

 –

Federal

$500 million

For replenishing a portion of the deficit in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.  

 

Total

$1,238 million

 

Key Items in the Senate Proposal*

Item Number  

Funding Source  

Amount   

Subject Area  

1599-2037  

Federal  

$105 million  

Workforce and career technical school training including  

1599-2038  

Federal  

$100 million  

For capital improvement grants for vocational high schools including the establishment and upgrading of new and existing career and technical educational programs.  

1599-2041 

Federal  

$30 million  

For supporting high-demand workforce training programs. 

1599-2042  

Federal  

$50 million  

For  adversely impacted by the pandemic and for businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups. 

1599-2043  

Federal  

$76 million  

For a grant program benefiting cultural and tourism organizations recovering from the pandemic. Funding may be used for facility upgrades, technology, and infrastructure upgrades, working capital, and additional uses.  

1599-2046  

Federal  

$30 million  

For the Endowment Incentive Program, which provides $1 in state matching funds for every $2 raised by private fundraising by public colleges and universities. 

1599-20XX 

Federal 

$10 million 

For an advertising campaign to attract out-of-state visitors and help rebuild the hospitality and tourism industries.  

-  

Federal  

$500 million  

For replenishing a portion of the deficit in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. 

   

 Total  

$901 million  

  

*District-specific funding amendments with no corresponding line item were added during the Senate debate process and are not reflected in the above chart.  

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Brian O’Connor

Government Affairs Manager

[email protected]
617-557-7316

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