In the News

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal says the time to invest in rail has never been better — and that investment should include tracks connecting the eastern and western ends of Massachusetts.

The question remains: will Gov. Charlie Baker buy in?

“I think the governor is coming around. I’ve been pretty careful (in talking with Baker) to say we need to improve service,” said Neal, the chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and a champion of east-west rail.

Neal’s remarks at Springfield’s Union Station Thursday came one day after President Joseph Biden’s rollout of a $2.3 trillion infrastructure bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is advocating passage by July 4.

The bill covers not just the nation’s aging infrastructure, but other categories Neal said are essential to rebooting the economy. Included are billions for child care, housing, research and development — which Neal said would be a boost to the University of Massachusetts Amherst — increased broadband access and many more.

It’s the issues not directly channeled toward fixing roads, highways and bridges that figure to face stiff Republican opposition. Neal spoke hopefully of hammering out a passable bill through the legislative process, and said direct infrastructure improvements have a much better chance of bipartisan support.

That’s because, he says, almost everybody agrees that America’s infrastructure is crumbling. The bill includes money for roads, highways, bridges and safe drinking water. Neal said the deterioration of some water systems is an example of an issue the United States should never encounter or accept.

As for east-west rail in Massachusetts, the Springfield Democrat sounded more optimistic than at any time in the years-long debate over the project.

“If this bill passes, it’s a great opportunity to get this done. I can’t think of a better time in my lifetime to invest in rail. This would get cars off the highways and address the issue of carbon,” he said.

But even if the bill’s passage supplies funding for east-west rail, it will not guarantee the project. Federal money goes to the states, where a new round of negotiation and prioritization would occur.

“The governor and the (state) Department of Transportation would have a say in this. The governor’s input is critical,” said Neal.

While never formally ruling out east-west rail, Baker’s past interest has been lukewarm at best. Advocates hope major federal funding, which has always been considered necessary to realize the project, could tip the scales.

State government priorities will also affect money for other projects. The president’s bill would fund upgrades for 10,000 decaying bridges in the country, and some of those are in Western and Central Massachusetts.

“That’s why I’m in favor of earmarks to ensure regional equity, so the attention doesn’t become Boston-centric,” Neal said.

He pledged to seek bipartisan support for Biden’s bill, which figures to face GOP opposition for aspects related to what the president called “a caring economy.” Neal defended expanding the bill past traditional road, highway and bridge repair.

“One thing we can all agree on is the crumbling nature of our infrastructure, (but) it’s not just fixing the roads to get us to work, but providing for child care to keep us at work,” he said.

As legislative negotiations get underway, even a bill with bipartisan appeal faces pushback — not just on some quality-of-life categories, but on how it will be paid. Biden supports a corporate tax increase but says he’s open to other ideas, a meaningful signal to Republicans who are expected to oppose higher taxes.

Under one proposal to fund Biden’s plan, the corporate tax rate would increase to 28%, from the 21% rate set in 2017 under President Donald J. Trump’s tax overhaul. A 21% global minimum tax would be set to keep companies from shifting profits overseas.

Neal was noncommittal on how the bill would be funded, saying only that it would be reviewed and debated during hearings and negotiations. He predicted that suggestions from Congress would impact the final plan.

The president’s bill also includes $18 billion to modernize facilities and hospitals for veterans. Neal alluded the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, which left dozens of veterans dead, as proof of the need.

“We have 1.5 million new veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. We still have veterans from Korea and World War II, and hundreds of thousands from Vietnam. I don’t need to remind you what happened down the road from here, in Holyoke,” Neal said.