Auchincloss, Markey Lead MA Delegation in Letter to Treasury Department

Letter urges Treasury Department to reconsider revenue loss to ensure MA cities and towns can build back better
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04), along with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), led the Massachusetts congressional delegation in a letter to Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Treasury Department to reconsider the way the agency is calculating pandemic-related revenue losses so that Massachusetts cities and towns are not unjustly penalized

. Due to the unique way that Massachusetts funds public education, many Massachusetts cities and towns have reported that they are unable to claim general revenue loss, which is reimbursable under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As a result, many Bay State communities could be unfairly barred from flexible funding that would allow them to build and upgrade critical infrastructure, expand health services, advance environmental remediation, and improve public safety. 

This is expected to disproportionately impact Gateway Cities, including Attleboro, Fall River, and Taunton, in Massachusetts’ 4th District. The letter calls on the Treasury to reconsider methods of calculation so that cities and towns in Massachusetts can use ARPA funds with the flexibility Congress intended. 
 
In the letter Congressman Auchincloss states,  “A fair and accurate accounting of lost revenue will provide cities and towns with the necessary flexibility to reinvest in government services impacted by the pandemic—in line with Congressional intent. We stand ready to work with you on a solution to ensure