Governor Signs $4 Billion Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding Spending Bill
Gov. Charlie Baker signed a $4 billion spending plan on Monday to support continued recovery across key priority areas, making substantial investments in housing and home ownership, healthcare, workforce development, premium pay for essential workers, and infrastructure. The funding, first proposed by the Baker-Polito administration in June, will put to work a portion of the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). “The pandemic has had a significant impact on Massachusetts workers, families, communities, and businesses for nearly two years, and today’s signing directs billions of dollars in relief toward those hardest hit across the Commonwealth,” Baker said. “While this package falls far short of the investment I called for to address the housing shortage, the important investments included in this bill will help to accelerate Massachusetts’ economic recovery and provide long-lasting benefits to infrastructure, healthcare, education systems, and small businesses.”