MMA advocates for municipal building authority

On Sept. 13, the MMA testified in support of bills that would create a new, independent state municipal and public safety building authority, which would provide financial support for cities and towns to update aging infrastructure.

The companion bills, H. 3802 and S. 1489, would establish a new independent state authority, as well as separate municipal and public safety building funds, to help municipalities with the construction of or improvements to public safety and municipal office buildings.

With the property tax and other local revenues strictly limited by state law, municipal officials are seeking alternative ways to help offset the costs of maintaining and updating municipal and public safety buildings. Municipal employees working in these buildings are delivering essential services each day, from critical public safety responses to holding elections. The ability to deliver these services with maximum efficiency is often hindered by dated infrastructure, which can also pose safety concerns.

Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur joined MMA Deputy Legislative Director Jackie Lavender Bird in testifying on behalf of municipalities at a hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, while other municipal officials submitted written testimony of support. The testimony highlighted the many ways in which state and local governments are partners, and expressed strong interest in seeing the partnership extend to support for municipal capital improvements.

H. 3802 and S. 1489, sponsored by Rep. Natalie Blais and Sen. Jo Comerford, respectively, are priority bills for municipalities this session and were included in the MMA’s 2023-2024 Legislative Package.