Massachusetts officials are pointing to cuts in federal disaster aid to drum up support for nearly $3 billion in bonds to fund climate resilience projects.
“The Mass Ready Act” would authorize $2.9 billion in bonds over five years to pay for an array of flooding, conservation and other infrastructure projects. Introduced by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, the bill would also create a new revolving loan fund for local governments to harden their infrastructure.
“The truth is, we can’t rely on the federal government to invest in our cities and towns anymore,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll told lawmakers Tuesday during a crowded hearing on SB 2542.
The Democrat and other state officials contrasted the rising threat of climate impacts with the Trump administration’s rollback of climate and disaster funding. They pointed to this week’s deadly flash floods across the Northeast — including Massachusetts — shortly after flash floods in Texas left at least 134 dead.
