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Massachusetts Lawmakers OK Two Spending Bills

Massachusetts State House
wikipedia.org

Massachusetts lawmakers have given final approval to two bills that would let the state borrow up to $2.3 billion to pay for major infrastructure and information technology projects.A $1.3 billion capital bond bill includes $40 million for renovations to the Senate and House chambers in the Statehouse.

An architectural review of the Senate chamber found serious structural issues, including falling pieces of ceiling, cracking in cornices, leaning columns and deteriorating decorative walls.

The bill also includes $151 million for public library projects.

A $1 billion information technology bond bill also approved Wednesday includes $38 million for a public school district broadband program and $12 million to help track the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of individuals with autism.

The bills now head to Gov. Deval Patrick. Thursday is the final day of the legislative session.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Jim was WAMC’s Assistant News Director and hosted WAMC's flagship news programs: Midday Magazine, Northeast Report and Northeast Report Late Edition.
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