Saturday, May 28, 2022

Senator Rausch Secures $1.1 Million in Local Investments For the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District

On Thursday evening, following deliberation on 1178 amendments, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a $50 billion Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget. Over the course of this week’s budget deliberations, Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) secured over $1.5 million in statewide funding and $1.1 million for local investments in the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District, including youth mental health supports, environmental protection initiatives, and municipal infrastructural upgrades. 
 
“This year’s budget prioritized bringing sorely needed relief to Bay Staters,” said Senator Becca Rausch. “We leveraged Massachusetts’ record surplus revenues to make major investments in schools, childcare, workforce development, and housing all while boosting state aid to our cities and towns. The effects these investments will have on our communities will be game-changing, and I am proud to have delivered for the people who sent me to Beacon Hill for a second term.” 

 

The final Senate budget invests heavily in the Commonwealth, including $1.23 billion in state aid to cities and towns; $6 billion in Chapter 70 state funding for public schools, in line with the landmark Student Opportunity Act; bringing Massachusetts’ “rainy day” fund to $6.74 billion; $250 million for pandemic-related grants to support early education and childcare providers; and a policy measure providing legal protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers in Massachusetts. This policy was passed to shield Massachusetts care providers from potential lawsuits over providing abortions and other services to out-of-state residents, a measure necessary if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. 

 

Senator Rausch secured $1,100,000 for local initiatives and municipal projects within her district, including: 

  • $127,000 to fund and implement full-day kindergarten in Wrentham  

  • $600,000 for urgent structural repairs at the Elm Bank Reservation  

  • $5,000 to fund anti-bias curriculum in Franklin Public Schools after an increase in local acts of racism, antisemitism, and homophobia 

  • $10,000 for the annual Franklin Cultural Festival 

  • $8,000 for safety upgrades to the Franklin State Forest  

  • $45,000 for facility upgrades for the Milford Senior Center  

  • $25,000 for backup power generators to ensure the resilience and reliability of the Millis Public Safety Radio system 

  • $30,000 to replace the lighting management system at the Millis Public Library 

  • $50,000 for a feasibility study to improve transportation options in Needham 

  • $25,000 for technological upgrades to study water pollution mitigation in Norfolk 

  • $25,000 to repair and expand the Norfolk Council on Aging parking lot 

  • $25,000 for the operations of North Attleboro’s WWII Memorial Pool 

  • $50,000 towards a new water pumping and treatment station in Plainville 

  • $50,000 to study and improve the water quality of Sherborn's Farm Pond watershed 

  • $25,000 to upgrade lighting in the Wayland High School Fieldhouse 

Senator Rausch also secured 5 statewide amendments, including $1 million to fully fund Hey Sam, a youth mental health support line run by Samaritans, Inc; $200,000 for a statewide pilot car seat recycling program to reduce landfill waste and support Massachusetts families; $92,000 to conduct survey research on COVID vaccinations for children in Massachusetts to determine barriers to access and strategy to close vaccination gaps; and $300,000 for the MA Women's Suffrage Celebration Coalition of Massachusetts to continue their educational programming about women's rights and women’s suffrage.  

 

“It is the biggest honor of my life to serve the towns and cities I represent,” said Senator Rausch. “I am grateful for the partnership of our local community members and municipalities to elevate their needs do a statewide level. When we work together, we succeed.” 

  

The Senate FY ‘23 budget now heads to conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions. Once complete, the final budget bill will advance to the governor's desk to be signed into law. 

Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District, comprised of Attleboro, Franklin, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley, and Wrentham. Senator Rausch serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and the Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.  

Senator Rausch Secures $1.1 Million in Local Investments For the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District
Senator Rausch Secures $1.1 Million in Local Investments For the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District

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