- Charles D. Baker, Governor
- Karyn E. Polito, Lieutenant Governor
June 17, 2020
The Baker-Polito Administration today releases its sixth Capital Investment Plan ("capital plan"), providing a $2.46 billion investment for the Commonwealth's capital needs in Fiscal Year 2021 ("FY21").Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty related to the public health crisis, the FY21 capital plan will focus on maintaining existing investments rather than pursuing new programs or funding sources. This responsible and flexible approach will allow the Administration to continue working with stakeholders across state government to support capital projects and strengthen the delivery of essential government services, while better-positioning Massachusetts for future recovery efforts.
This maintenance capital investment plan will provide the Commonwealth with flexibility for the short, medium, and long-term response to COVID-19 and any associated capital needs. By pausing now on making new commitments as the Commonwealth fights the public health crisis, we ensure flexibility to revisit the capital plan later in the year when the fiscal and economic landscape comes more into focus.
This purposeful strategy sustains our commitment to reliable and effective governance. Since taking office in 2015, the Administration has utilized a disciplined approach for investing in the Commonwealth by strengthening and improving our existing assets and supporting targeted community development opportunities, while ensuring affordable levels of spending.
The FY21 plan builds on that strategy by maintaining the Administration's close partnership with cities and towns. The FY21 plan funds more than 20 grant programs that help local municipalities invest in critical local infrastructure. We continue support for improvements and upgrades in housing, health and human services, higher education, and information technology. The plan also delivers funding for grant programs that encourage economic opportunity and strengthen important workforce skills across Massachusetts.
The FY21 plan maintains a commitment to responsible investing in the era of climate change. The FY21 plan continues to integrate climate change preparedness and resiliency into our capital planning. As in previous years, it considers the potential environmental impact of all capital investments and their resiliency to the changing climate.
The Administration has increased the total level of investment in the Commonwealth's transportation system since 2015, and the FY21 plan continues key transportation priorities focused on improving infrastructure condition, ensuring safety and reliability, and supporting planned projects to enhance the system, like the South Coast Rail and Green Line Extension projects.
Amidst the current public health emergency and period of long-term economic unpredictability, we remain committed to fiscal accountability and being dependable stewards of taxpayers' resources. This flexible investment plan is made possible by strong relationships throughout state government and we are proud to continue collaborating with key stakeholders as we carry out investments.
