Boston may get $125M from stimulus package

February 17, 2009 08:08 PM Email| Comments (9)| Text size – +

By Donovan Slack, Globe Staff

The city of Boston estimates it could receive at least $125 million from the massive economic stimulus package signed today by President Barack Obama, including $69 million for schools, $30 million for housing and $5 million for police.

But city officials said they don't expect it will be enough to avert layoffs and renewed their call for city unions, including those representing teachers and police officers, to accept a one-year wage freeze to help bridge a budget shortfall of $140 million.

The money expected from the stimulus package is directed mainly toward infrastructure improvements, city officials said.

"The mayor believes this is a great shot in the arm for improving our economy but believes we need to continue to look forward beyond just this year in creating sustainability," the mayor's spokeswoman, Dot Joyce, said.

Menino is scheduled to meet with Obama at the White House Friday to discuss procedures for receiving funding from the stimulus package.

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9 comments so far...

It's disturbing that while union labor all across the country is feelin ghte effects of layoffs, restructurings and drivng thier own employers in to the ground that the police unoins in Massachusetts have BY FAR the highest paid cops in the nation- ofeten byh a factor of two

Posted by gern February 17, 09 08:34 PM

I own asingle family home in east boston actually deed is in wifes' name. is there a funded program to pay upfront cost to install solar panels on my roof? my roof gets the sun fron dawn til dusk. a solat heating and cooling system will do great for my expenses. but i do not have the inital upfront $$$ for the installation. is there a green funded program which can help? also my refrigerator died. is bthere an energy efficiency program which will give me a refrigerator at no cost to me? also house needs a grant to do structural repairs and other renovations. we are already in a city of boston low income affordable houseing agreement.

Posted by LColl89879@aol.com February 17, 09 09:36 PM

Asking for more handouts, eh? Typical from an Obamanite. A refrigerator at no cost? what the heck do you think the rest of us do when ours dies? We save money and buy a new one! You're asking for solar panels on your roof while asking for someone to give you a fridge at no cost. This is truly the end of the America my family knew. What a sad time in our history. You all voted for change, you sure as heck got it...

Posted by TGNH February 17, 09 10:17 PM

Will the stimulus money help with funding education for Graduate Students. Also I hope some of the stimulus money can be used toward helping the community health centers in Boston, notably East Boston Community Health Center to prevent any potential layoffs

Posted by nwelch February 17, 09 10:26 PM

you mean Deval will get 125 million to pass out to his cronie Beacon Hill buddies and neighbors and still he will raise tolls, gas tax and property taxes.

Posted by jaminjm February 17, 09 10:37 PM

what a thrill for president obama to meet such a dynamic and creative leader like mayor menino..hah

Posted by joe021 February 17, 09 10:49 PM

Leave it too the Mass politicians, they are going to screw everyone but themselves..politics as usual..This bill will do nothing but off bills and still increase taxes...Winner politicians

Posted by mdd February 17, 09 11:16 PM

move to russia I believe they will pay for everything

Posted by bs February 18, 09 12:45 AM

We all need to make sure he does not pad his pet projects
like the billion dollar Life Science Initative for biotechnology. Over 70% of these companies fail but he insist on pumping money into it. He would rather lay off 1000 state workers to create 50 biotech jobs. This happened on Jan 27th , they had handed out 7.4 million on the same day he canned 1000 state workers. He hands out money like it is candy.

Patrick gave 21 million in two payments to a failing biotech in Canton
The kicker is that it is privatly held and most of the money went into the CEO's pocket and a group of investors. The taxpayers money also bought 2 large
buildings held under a trust. I think the taxpayers now should get a stake in this company and anyone else that gets this tax payers money?

Posted by frysa February 18, 09 05:22 PM