Stimulus Bill Could Jumpstart Mass. Rail Project

BOSTON (AP) — The Senate version of an $838 billion economic stimulus bill includes money for high-speed rail projects that could help jumpstart Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed $1.4 billion commuter rail link to New Bedford and Fall River.

Sen. John Kerry said he pushed to include $2 billion for investments in high-speed rail projects in the Senate version of the bill — money that could aid construction of the New Bedford project.

Kerry said the Senate version would deliver less education aid to Massachusetts — about $700 million compared with about $1.2 billion under the House version. Kerry said he opposed the lower Senate number.

The two versions head to a conference committee where a final version of the bill will be hammered out.