Bill > H299

This bill establishes the Western Massachusetts Balanced Sustainable Development Commission to address disparities between the western and eastern parts of the state, particularly in the Springfield Region, which has faced challenges with racial segregation and implementing modern sustainability strategies like mass transportation and balanced housing. The commission will be composed of representatives from regional planning agencies in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties, along with groups focused on fair housing, organized labor, and economic development. Its duties will include annually assessing the impact of state policies on the Springfield Region, recommending modifications to existing policies and pending legislation that may have a differential effect, and devising strategies to counteract negative impacts of past policies. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a special, tax-exempt urban and regional development corporation, jointly controlled by elected officials, business representatives, and labor representatives, to implement development programs and projects aimed at achieving more balanced housing, effective commercial and industrial development, and overall regional sustainability.