By Bob Katzen

The Local Government Advisory Commission urged the House, Senate and the governor to approve giving cities and towns $300 million annually for local road and bridge repairs for several years.

Last year the Senate initially approved a version providing $200 million annually for three years while the House approved a version providing $200 million for one year. The Senate eventually agreed with the House version of $200 million in one-time funding.

The funding is a bond bill under which the $300 million annually would be borrowed by the state through the sale of bonds.

“Adequate local aid for municipal and school services is essential for strong cities and towns and our continued economic growth,” said Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Geoff Beckwith who supports a minimum of $300 million annually.

The Local Government Advisory Commission was created by former Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1976 to ensure that cities and towns are involved in the formulation and evaluation of policies and programs of state government which impact them.