Co-sponsors (as of 3/15/17):

It’s January, a new Congress has convened in Washington ahead of a new Trump Administration, and a new legislature is in place in Massachusetts. There is a swirl of activities – meetings with legislators, strategy sessions with allies, and the sharing of gossip and ideas across the spectrum – before the true crush of legislative work and budgeting begins.

As we prepare to advocate for new resources and policies with the advent of a new legislature and a new legislative session, there are certain norms to adhere to as we work through the process to build support for our favored initiatives. During these first, frenzied weeks, I spent a few hours working with a group of graduate students from Harvard’s Kennedy School on a public policy project. Essentially, I briefed the team of students on a MACDC policy issue – our desire to restore higher funding for the Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) program – and shared some background information about the program and the Massachusetts legislative process. Overnight, they developed an advocacy pitch and sought feedback before delivering the presentation the following day to a few retired legislators.

I joined the team as an observer, and, while both presentations went well they achieved mixed results. In one instance, they secured support for their “ask,” while the other representative was noncommittal about her support. In the subsequent debrief, the students learned important lessons about advocacy, community engagement and the legislative process. As an observer, I gained renewed insight to the process as well. There is nothing magical about lobbying our legislative leaders, and I believe there are a few basic principles to follow that may help to demystify the process:

* Be direct with your appeal and always be honest in your approach – avoid exaggerating ideas or a misstatement of actions as facts intended to resolve the issue in your favor;

* Most legislators are moved by local concerns, so it helps if you can “frame” the problem or challenge in those terms, and show support from that representative’s community;

* Be courteous and respectful throughout the process - not fawning, yet not too familiar; don’t assume you will have the same level of support because you have gained it in the past. And be wary of unintentionally showing disrespect and jeopardizing a long-term relationship with legislator(s) by making an untenable request.

* Be mindful of any good advice or suggestions that may be offered along the way as means to advance your initiative and always be open to continue the dialogue.

Our political process often seems confusing – shrouded in ceremonial rituals, daunting language and obscure procedures. Sometimes this is true, but just as often there are straightforward ways and means to convey your policy interests (in formal meetings like Lobby Day, or informally outside of the local market, or neighborhood community center) and share your story to a kind ear, to receive a favorable result. “Never believe, it’s not so.”

From September through October of this year, MACDC staff met with board, staff and community members of 15 CDCs from around the state to identify priority issues for our 2017-2018 
legislative/policy agenda. 

We also received input from the Western Mass. and Real Estate 
Development and Organizers’ peer groups, surveyed the 
membership and had a number of conversations with allies at 
CHAPA, LISC, Smart Growth Alliance and MAHA. 

Our Policy Committee reviewed all of this input and made its 
recommendation to the board, which approved the following 
advocacy priorities:

•    Passage of Housing Bond Bill 
•    Extending the CITC beyond the 2019 sunset
•    Restoring funding for the Small Business Technical 
    Assistance Program to $2 million 

We will, over the course of the next legislative session, work on 
other important issues as they arise.

On Sunday July 31, the Massachusetts Legislature held its last formal meeting of the 2015 – 16 legislative session, and the House and Senate completed action on several major initiatives.  The most important legislation for MACDC and its members was the comprehensive economic development bill, which passed at around midnight.  MACDC has been working with our partners and allied representatives and senators to advance many important policy priorities in this bill, and we are pleased to report that nearly all of our requests and recommendations were included in the final Conference Agreement that was sent to Governor Baker’s desk.  We have been in regular contact with Administration officials at each stage of the legislation’s development and eagerly await Governor Baker’s final signature, so that we can pursue the next objectives, which will be to help design and implement several of these important new initiatives.  We are very pleased with the legislative outcome for MACDC’s priority interests in the 2015 – 2016 legislative session and grateful to all of our CDC members who have helped us to advance our two-year advocacy and policy agenda.

Highlights:  An Act Relative to Job Creation, Workforce Development and Infrastructure Investment (H4569) includes definitive language to advance three core MACDC priorities: (1) to improve the administration of the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, (2) to provide a $45 million capital authorization for the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, and (3) to provide $6 million of capital for the Massachusetts Food Trust. 

The Conferees retained a House adopted amendment, sponsored by Speaker Pro-Tempore Patricia Haddad, to authorize $1 million in new capital funding for the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) to support a matching grant program for CDFIs and CDCs.

The Conferees adopted a Senate-backed amendment to create a Donation Tax Credit (DTC) to allow existing State Low Income Housing Credits to support more housing preservation (prime sponsors include:  Senator Chandler, Senator Dorcena Forry, Representative Honan, Representative Rushing, and Representative Kaufman), and Community Benefit Districts (CBDs) provisions (sponsored by Senator Wolf), which will enable collaborative public-private-nonprofit partnerships to implement local initiatives and to enhance community revitalization.  In addition to the legislators referenced above, MACDC is thankful and grateful to Representative Peake, Representative Kulik, Representative Wagner, Representative Dempsey, Representative Madaro, Representative Walsh, Representative Holmes, Representative Madden, Representative Carvalho, Representative Donahue, Representative Smola, Senator Donoghue, Senator O’Connor Ives, Senator DiDomenico, Senator Rodrigues, Senator L’Italien, Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Rosenberg for their commitment to CDCs, our shared goals, and the opportunity to work collaboratively throughout the 189^th General Court.

Here is a brief comparison of key economic development priorities contained in the House and Senate bills and the final Conference Agreement (H.4569) approved by the Legislature Sunday night and sent to Governor Baker this morning.

An Act Relative to Job Creation, Workforce Development and Infrastructure Investment (H.4483) (S.2423)

With little more than two weeks remaining in the 2015 – 16 legislative session, Governor Baker and House and Senate leaders are trying to put the wraps on a half-dozen major initiatives.  The most important legislation for MACDC and its members will be completion of a comprehensive economic development bill.  The House and Senate have passed separate bills and must reconcile the differences that remain before July 31^st.  MACDC has been active, working with representatives and senators to advance several important policy priorities in each bill, and we will be working with friends and allies to achieve the best possible outcome from the House/Senate conference committee

Highlights:  Both versions of the economic development bill (H.4483, S.2423) contain definitive language to advance three core MACDC priorities: (1) to improve the administration of the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) program, (2) to provide $45 million capital authorization for the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, and (3) precise language to provide $6 Million capital for the Massachusetts Food Trust.  These three items will not be subject to negotiations in the conference committee. 

The House adopted an amendment to authorize $1 Million in new capital funding for the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) to support a matching grant program for CDFIs and CDCs.  The Senate bill does not include this measure.

The Senate bill includes an increase in the state EITC from 23% to 28%, a Donation Tax Credit (DTC) proposal to allow existing State Low Income Housing Credits to support more housing preservation, and Community Benefit Districts (CBDs) provisions – enabling collaborative public-private-nonprofit partnerships to implement local initiatives and to enhance community revitalization.  The House did not include these provisions.

Here is a brief comparison of key economic development priorities contained in the bills and that MACDC and its allies will work to achieve in the final weeks.

State Budget:  With just six weeks remaining in the current Massachusetts Legislative Session, a number of important MACDC legislative priorities are still pending.   Our key budget priority, $2 Million in funding for the Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) program administered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), was included in the Governor’s and the House approved budget but not the Senate-passed budget. It must now be reconciled in a six-member House and Senate conference committee.  The Senate budget did provide $100,000 to cover operating expenses for the Massachusetts Food Trust – funds that were not provided by the House so this too must be addressed in the conference.  Further complicating the conference deliberations, the Baker administration disclosed last week that this year's state budget shortfall is larger than anticipated and estimates of revenues available for next year's budget might be off by as much as $750 million.  This news makes the budget reconciliation process even more challenging for the conference negotiators.  MACDC and its members are making their voices heard so legislators understand the importance of these programs.

Zoning Reform:  On June 9, the Massachusetts Senate passed “An Act promoting housing and sustainable development” (S.2311), by a vote of 23-15.  This is the first comprehensive zoning reform legislation to pass either the House or Senate in many decades, and we are grateful to so many of you who contacted your senators about this important legislation.

This is a tremendous victory for the Alliance and its partners, and, now, it is on to the House!

Here is a link to MACDC’s statement shared with senators ahead of the vote.

Economic Development:  On June 15, the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies reported favorably H. 4413, An Act Relative to Job Creation, Workforce Development and Infrastructure Investment.  MACDC supports the economic development proposal and our members are encouraged that key policy concepts and areas of implementation and focus outlined in the bill are consistent with ideas CDCs have put forth.  These efforts are demonstrated by the multi-year funding commitments to:

• The Mass Works Infrastructure Program ($300 million)
• The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund ($45 million)
• The Smart Growth Trust Fund ($15 million)
• Transformative Development Initiative ($30 million)

The Joint Committee also included $6 million authorization over 3 years for capital expenses for the Massachusetts Food Trust – a huge win!  The bill will now go through a series of committees before it is voted on by the House and Senate and sent to the Governor. Here is our testimony to the House Committee on Bonding in support of the bill. We will need to follow the bill carefully to ensure that funding is maintained at each step along the way – as nothing is guaranteed for final passage.

Yesterday, Governor Baker unveiled his $39.6 billion FY 2017 budget proposal and this morning he filed an economic development bill, “An Act to Provide Opportunities for All,” seeking legislative authorization for nearly $1 billion in capital investments over the next five years.  There is a great deal of information to digest in these two proposals, and we will spend the next several days examining key items of interests to MACDC members.  For now, here is brief overview of various line items we will be tracking throughout the legislative process.

House 2 – FY 2017 Budget Recommendation from Baker / Polito Administration

• Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) program:  proposed level funding ($2 million)
• Urban Agenda Grant program:  proposed level funding ($3 million – combined economic development and housing grants)
• Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP):  proposed funding cut $8 million, to $82.9 million
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling:  proposed level funding ($2.35 million)
• Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP):  proposed level funding ($4.6 million)
• Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT):  proposed level funding ($12.5 million)
• Housing Preservation & Stabilization Trust Fund (HPSTF):  no proposed funding (- $11.5 million)
• Community Preservation Act (CPA):  proposed level funding ($10 million – transferred from the state’s end-of-year budget surplus)

“An Act to Provide Opportunities for All” – Economic Development proposal seeking legislative authorization to fund over five years:

• $500 million for MassWorks
• $50 million for the Transformative Development Fund to enhance redevelopment projects in Gateway Cities
• $75 million for the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
• $25 million for a new site assembly and pre-development fund, to support commercial and industrial development in regions outside of Boston
• $25 million for the Smart Growth Trust Fund, combined with proposed changes and expansions to Chapter 40R, to meet Commonwealth’s need for smart growth housing development at higher density and development of “starter homes”.
• Revision to the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP); allow new construction (in addition to rehabilitation) and raise reimbursement from 10% - 25%.

Last week, Governor Baker and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash unveiled the first round of Urban Agenda Grant winners at a series of meetings in Boston and Framingham. The inaugural awards from this new program – a total of $3 million awarded to fund 16 separate economic development, planning and housing initiatives from New Bedford to North Adams – will entrust municipal officials and community organizations to forge collaborative partnerships and craft unique, specific solutions to meet locally-identified needs that satisfy a range of economic development and housing opportunities.

MACDC is proud to have several member organizations lead and partner in 7 of the 16 program initiatives that received more than half ($ 1.6 million) of the grant funds in this first round. All told, the grant program made awards in three categories of community development: economic development implementation, economic development planning, and housing development. State agency officials received 54 applications, requesting a total of $12.7 million in funding, from communities across the Commonealth. With this level of interest, a successful program launch can build greater support to fund successful community-driven projects through Urban Agenda grants in the years to come.

Complete list of grant award winners and project briefs