Smulowitz: Economic stimulus forum with local legislators

By Peter Smulowitz
Guest Columnist

Instead of a full column on a new topic this week, I’d like to use this opportunity to draw some attention to an important and timely event coming up in Needham. On Monday, March 23rd, Representative Lida Harkins and Senator Scott Brown will be at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church (7-9pm, 23 Dedham Avenue) for a public forum to discuss the impact of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Massachusetts and in particular here in Needham.

Otherwise known as the economic stimulus plan, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed on February 17, and will result in $787 billion of federal stimulus in tax cuts and spending. It is estimated that Massachusetts will receive between $6 billion and $9 billion of this spending over the next two years, the purpose of which is to retain and create jobs and to lay a foundation for long-term economic growth. Yet even with all the publicity over the plan, it is not clear exactly how the stimulus money will be spent in Massachusetts nor exactly what magnitude of impact it will have here in Needham. Representative Harkins and Senator Brown will be on hand to help explain some of the intricacies of the plan’s implications for Massachusetts and to answer questions from Needham residents.

There is not a single person in this town that is immune either to the effects of the economic recession or to the potential impact of the stimulus plan. As evidenced by our panel of legislators, this is not a partisan issue. I encourage anyone reading this column to join us next Monday for this critical discussion. In the meantime, here are few useful links to learn more about The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

For Massachusetts: www.mass.gov/recovery
For the United States: www.recovery.gov/
List of “shovel ready” projects submitted by Massachusetts mayors: www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state/MA

Lastly, please come introduce yourself at the forum and let me know what topics you’d like to see covered in this column.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Public Forum
with Representative Lida Harkins and Senator Scott Brown
Monday, March 23
7 p.m.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church

Peter B. Smulowitz, MD, MPH, is a Needham resident and an Attending Physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA and Beth Israel Deaconess Needham campus in Needham, MA.

For the latest Globe coverage of the stimulus package, click here.