Military Bond Bill Passes Senate

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate has passed a $177 million military bond bill redrafted by the Senate Committee on Bonding, State Assets and Expenditures chaired by Senator Brian A. Joyce. The state’s military installations directly or indirectly support 46,500 jobs and the funds authorized will provide the administration flexibility to guard against potential base closures or realignments.

“This important measure encourages strategic investments that will protect existing jobs in Massachusetts and help create new employment,” said Senator Brian A. Joyce, chair of the Senate Committee on Bonding, State Assets, and Expenditures. “This bill also brings additional federal dollars to our state and helps prepare for future adaptive civilian use for a portion of these facilities.”

Additionally, the bill codifies and expands the charge of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, which oversees state projects on Massachusetts military installations. The bill directs the task force to consider initiatives that will allow for future adaptive civilian use of the bases and to consider establishing “military enterprise zones” that will support existing installations, encourage private investment and job creation, and diversify and revitalize local economies. The bill also de-authorizes $260 million from the 2005 military bond bill, decreasing Massachusetts’ outstanding authorizations by $84 million.