The Federal Money Spending Challenge: What's Next for Massachusetts?

MCV talking points for the January 25 event, The Federal Money Spending Challenge: What’s Next for Massachusetts?

To learn more and register to attend, please click here.

Instructions and Talking Points:

Submit your question or comment to the panel in writing via email in case you don’t get a chance to ask it during the question-and-answer session. Submit your question by emailing Dylan Rossiter, Dylan.Rossiter@StateHouseNews.com.
- Please refrain from mentioning the last round of ARPA funding. It’s behind us. Let’s work towards better funding in the next round, which is the theme of this forum.
Identify yourself and your favorite DCR facility.
Mention the needed repairs at your park, or other issues such as lack of staff on the ground, if any.
Stress the importance of open space for you during the pandemic and the increased use of that open space during the pandemic.
Thank DCR for keeping its facilities free and open during the first year of the pandemic.
- It is helpful to mention the DCR Special Commission Report in your question/comment (UMDI DCR Special Commission Report).
Finally, thank U.S. Senator Markey and State Representative Hunt for their work on ARPA funding.

Examples of helpful questions:

When will the next round of ARPA money be considered by the state legislature?
What were the criteria for determining state ARPA allocations in the last round and are they the same for the next round?
How much remains in ARPA funding for the next round?
What is the deadline for ARPA funds to be allocated and spent?
What are the best ways for DCR Friends Groups to advocate for ARPA funds for state parks?

Important points from the DCR Special Commission Report:

There is a $1.0 billion backlog in DCR deferred maintenance that has only worsened with the exponential increase in use of DCR facilities during the pandemic.
DCR is responsible for 500,000-acres of open space (2,000 acres in the city of Boston) including State House security, 42 ice skating rinks, five ski areas, 35 athletic fields, 178 playgrounds and athletic courts, 32 campgrounds, three 18-hole golf courses, 32 deep-water pools, 20 spray decks, two wading pools, more than 142 miles of parkways, 3,000 miles of service trails, 11,000 street lights, safety for 2,950 dams (many of which the Commonwealth owns and many of which are in a state of disrepair).
- Many of the parks and parkways DCR oversees are historic resources with national register designation.
Because of its stewardship of the state’s vast land holdings (more than half of the size of Rhode Island), DCR is at the forefront of climate change adaptation and resiliency efforts.
Annual spending for DCR is down by $4 million – and 300 staff members – since 2009.