FY20 budget keeps state on good path
 I was proud to be a part of the unanimous vote to approve the FY20 budget. Funded at $43.1 billion, the budget makes major investments in education, housing, substance use disorder services, health care, and other areas while projecting a more than $476 million deposit into the Stabilization Fund – bringing the fund's balance to more than $3 billion to safeguard the future of vital programs and services.
The budget includes the largest annual increase ever ($269 million) in K-12 education spending support through the state's Chapter 70 account, drug pricing control reforms, and directs $50 million to help stabilize the nursing home industry.
Franklin and Medway will receive state assistance in a number of areas as well.
For Franklin, the state is "hitting the reset button" on charter school reimbursements, and will provide nearly $1 million in charter tuition reimbursement in addition to $28,416,161 in Chapter 70 aid. Franklin will also get $50,000 for the SAFE Coalition to provide support, education, treatment options, and coping mechanisms for those affected by substance use disorder; $100,000 for the construction of a parking lot at the Franklin State Forest; $58,000 for its Substance Abuse Task Force; $25,000 for the Franklin Downtown Partnership; and $50,000 to develop and implement a vaping prevention program in the Franklin public schools.
Medway will see $10,501,419 in Chapter 70 aid; $170,000 for the purchase of public safety equipment; $135,000 for accessibility and safety improvements at the Lovering Heights Senior Citizens Complex; $25,000 for the community farm and $100,000 for programs for at-risk students in the Medway Public Schools, including the T.H.R.I.V.E. Substance Abuse Prevention Program.
Massachusetts is dealing with several important societal issues, like the opioid epidemic, public safety, aging infrastructure, and an aging population. The budget strikes a balance that takes on these challenges and maintains our commitment to our communities, our children, our seasoned citizens, and the disabled as well as advancing economic development and the arts.
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