Last modified: Sunday, August 5, 2007 11:43 PM EDT Dressed in Patriots' gear, Gov. Deval Patrick arrives for the media event at the Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro last week. Patrick is scheduled to unveil a key initiative today that will pump $12 billion of borrowed money into things like a stem-cell research center at the University of Massachusetts and commuter rail service from Boston to Fall River and New Bedford among other projects. (Staff photo by MARTIN GAVIN) Local lawmakers: Governor's idea could help area BY TED NESI SUN CHRONICLE STAFF Local lawmakers say Attleboro could win big today when Gov. Deval Patrick unveils his administration's enormous new plan for the state to borrow $12 billion over the next five years and invest that money in education, transportation, and housing improvements across the state. Nearly half the money in the capital spending plan is earmarked for the construction and repair of the state's roads and bridges, according to published reports. Officials said it will address pressing needs and create jobs. Early reports of the projects on Patrick's wish list, included: construction of new college classrooms and research laboratories1,000 new parking spaces at commuter rail stationsurban parking garagesupgrades to public housing projects extension of the MBTA Green Line construction of a stem cell bank at the UMass Medical School. In order to borrow the money, the governor will need to win the approval of state lawmakers, who are expected to debate the measure this fall. However, once the money is borrowed, Patrick does not need their approval on how to spend it. Lawmakers from the area said they had been briefed on the plan before it became public, although none had seen a detailed version of it Sunday night. "The details matter significantly," said state Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, who nonetheless described himself as excited about the region's prospects for sharing the wealth because, he said, local needs are directly in line with the governor's priorities. Timilty pointed to Attleboro's nascent downtown redevelopment initiative as a project he hoped to see the governor support in the plan. He also expressed confidence that the governor will pay attention to the area, noting that Patrick recently held a cabinet meeting in Attleboro. State Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, said he is "hoping it will include things that will have benefit for the city," such as renovations at Spatcher Pool and investment in local community colleges. But Lepper's colleague, state Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said the state cannot pay for the governor's plan under current revenue forecasts. "It's not affordable unless he raises taxes," Poirier said, adding that she opposes such a tax hike. Lepper said he is also worried that the state's debt level is too high already. "It's a lot of money," Lepper said. "The legislature will take a serious look at it." Timilty, though, defended Patrick and his plan. "This (borrowing) is necessary for our economic future," he said. "You can't make money without spending a certain amount." All three said they support Patrick's focus on the state's infrastructure, particularly its transportation system, although Poirier said she was exasperated that the governor had just vetoed a proposal she'd had in the state budget to fund repairs on a local bridge. Timilty pointed to last week's sudden collapse of a major interstate highway bridge in Minnesota as an example of the damage a lack of long-term infrastrucutre investment can have on a state. On top of the human cost, he said, "our economy would collapse" if such a disaster happened here.