MA Senate releases their FY 2024 budget

May 9, 2023

Dear Members of the Massachusetts State Senate,

     For the fifth time as Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, I have the honor to present the Committee’s annual recommendations for the General Appropriations Act—the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) Budget. 

     Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka for her ongoing friendship, sage counsel, steady leadership, and continued confidence in me to lead the Committee as we work together to move Massachusetts forward towards a more inclusive and resilient post-pandemic future. 

     I would like to also thank our partners in the House, Chair Aaron Michlewitz and his team in the House Committee on Ways and Means, and in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz and his team in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Without their collaboration, cooperation and partnership throughout the budget development process, support for our residents, our communities, and our long-term economic health would not be possible. 

     Together, over these last four years, we have carefully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and its many challenges. Adapting to a new normal utilizing an approach rooted in collaboration with our partners across state government, we addressed urgent needs and protected our most vulnerable populations. We maintained stability, built up our reserves, and made meaningful investments to support an equitable recovery for our people. 

     It was an approach that worked. Today, our Rainy Day Fund is projected to close FY 2024 with a historic balance of $9 billion, and we have $1.7 billion in surplus resources available for future use. More recently, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) ratings agency upgraded our state’s bond rating, a recognition that our long-standing adherence to sound fiscal discipline and efforts to reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic foundation is paying dividends.

Continue reading the Message from the Chair - Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means online =>    https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget 

Mass Municipal Assoc covers the budget release ->  https://www.mma.org/senate-budget-committee-releases-fiscal-2024-proposal/

Common Wealth Magazine covers the budget release ->    https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/senate-budget-embraces-in-state-tuition-for-undocumented-students/

Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues. (Photo by Bruce Mohl)

MASS Senate Passes Legislation creating Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities

Dedicated Secretariat designed to assist the administration in prioritizing housing for all residents

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday (4/13/23) passed a reorganization plan to create a state Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, a cabinet-level position which will assist the Commonwealth with meeting its long-term goals in addressing the housing crisis and expanding safe, accessible, and affordable housing for residents.

"As a state, we must work towards a creating a sustainable and inclusive future, where no one is prevented from calling Massachusetts home simply because of the cost of housing," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I am grateful that Governor Healey has brought this legislation before us, and we in the Legislature look forward to continuing to partner with the administration to support housing that is affordable and livable, vibrant communities. I'd also like to thank Senator Collins and Senator Edwards for their attention and hard work to ensure that the Senate could reach consensus on this issue in a timely fashion."

In Massachusetts, housing-related issues are currently addressed by the administration through the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The reorganization plan passed in the Senate today would elevate housing issues to a separate executive agency tasked with supporting housing availability and assessing the Commonwealth's progress in this area.

"I want to thank Senate President Spilka for prioritizing this legislation's passage in the Senate today," said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston), Chair of the Senate Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. "The creation of a new Secretariat will bring a cabinet-level focus to the Commonwealth's housing crisis.  I would like to congratulate Governor Healey as well, who will now be able put her vision for housing and livable communities into action."

In response to ongoing concerns over housing availability, last session, the Massachusetts Legislature allocated over $1 billion in direct appropriations to support affordable housing in Massachusetts. This followed a session that saw the long-awaited 'housing choice' legislation become law with important housing production incentives, including requiring multi-family zoning near transit.

"I am excited about Governor Healey's newly established Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, which offers Massachusetts a clear steward in the mission to ensure dignified housing for all residents," said Senator Lydia Edwards (D-Boston), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. "We need a dedicated think tank for housing justice, generational wealth, and eradicating discrimination."

The reorganization plan is also in the House of Representatives for consideration.

MASS Senate Passes Legislation creating Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities

INVITE: Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers - May 8, 2023

Join me for a #MetroWestKids Mental Health Literacy Event!

Please join me for a virtual presentation, Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers, delivered by experts from the Mental Health Collaborative (MHC), a Hopkinton-based nonprofit organization that serves educators, school districts, and families across the country with education on mental health literacy. This free webinar aims to provide those with children, particularly in grades six through 12, the tools they need to understand their children's stress, identify emotional and behavioral health issues and their treatments, and empower them to obtain and maintain good mental health for their loved ones. Live translation is available in Portuguese, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). You can register for the event at www.karenspilka.com/mentalhealth. Monday, May 8, 2023 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm RSVP This event is the sixth year of my #MetroWestKids initiative which has offered programs related to mental health, including social-emotional learning (SEL) and related topics. As a former school committee member and social worker, I know the important role mental health plays in education. Last year, my priority legislation to deliver nation-leading reforms for mental health care in Massachusetts, the Mental Health ABC Act, was signed into law. This development could not come at a more critical time. In MetroWest and across the state, parents have shared concerns with me about their children's mental health and their family's ability to access quality mental health care. This event will provide you with the tools you need to support your child or students. Knowing whether to worry and when, where, and how to get help is key. It's important that we overcome the stigma that has prevented too many of us from taking good care of our mental health for too long. I hope you will find this presentation useful. Please contact my office at (617) 722-1500 if you have questions or for more information. Warm Regards,   karenspilka.com

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!

MASS Senate Passes Legislation Authorizing Chapter 90 Funding

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday (3/30/23) passed a bill that includes $350 million in bond authorizations for transportation needs across the state, including $200 million for the state’s Chapter 90 program, which provides municipalities with a reliable funding source for transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge repairs.

“This legislation will maintain and improve our state’s infrastructure, ensure that residents have safe and reliable transportation options, and support sustainable, regionally equitable economic development in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’d like to thank Senator Crighton for his work in crafting this legislation, Senator Kennedy for his help in advancing it, and all of my Senate colleagues for working collaboratively to ensure the transportation needs of our cities and towns are addressed in a regionally equitable manner.”

"Our transportation system is the backbone of our Commonwealth, connecting us to our jobs, families, and communities," said Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn), Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation. "This investment is not just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in the future of our Commonwealth, enabling our cities and towns to make the necessary improvements to promote efficient and safe travel for all."

“I’m pleased to see this crucial investment in the Commonwealth’s roads and bridges move towards fruition,” said Senator Edward J. Kennedy (D-Lowell), Chair of the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “The cities and towns of Massachusetts depend on this necessary funding to maintain their transportation infrastructure.”

This legislation also authorizes $150 million in programs that will assist municipalities with various transportation-related projects. This includes $25 million for each of the following:

• the municipal small bridge program;
• the complete streets program;
• a bus transit infrastructure program;
• grants to increase access to mass transit and commuter rail stations;
• grants for municipalities and regional transit authorities to purchase electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them;
• and new funding dedicated to additional transportation support based on road milage, which is particularly helpful for rural communities.

“By dedicating a $25 million fund to rural communities for road and culvert work, the Senate has once again demonstrated a commitment to regional equity,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “Rural towns do not have large municipal budgets like some Commonwealth cities, yet with much smaller municipal budgets, they have been expected to maintain many hundreds more miles of roads than their urban counterparts. They have culverts in need of repair and a significant number of gravel and dirt roads. This rural program recognizes and begins to address these pressing, inequitable realities for rural communities and I'm deeply grateful.”

“Today's bill includes $25 million that is intended to help our most rural communities that are consistently struggling to keep afloat financially,” said Senator Paul W. Mark (D-Becket). “In a district of 57 cities and towns, 54 of which have populations of fewer than 10,000 people, and in some cases communities as small as 120 residents, we live firsthand every day how difficult it can be to undertake road repairs, invest in new equipment, or have our voice heard in Boston.  I am grateful to the Senate President, the Chair of Ways and Means, and the Chair of Transportation for the time they have taken to visit rural communities in my district, work collaboratively with me and our rural caucus members, and deliver for our small towns in a way that will produce tangible benefits and results this calendar year.”

A different version having previously been passed in the House of Representatives, the two chambers will now reconcile differences before sending the bill to the Governor’s desk.

MASS Senate Passes Legislation Authorizing Chapter 90 Funding

School Budget hearing Tuesday, March 28 at 7 PM - what we know, what we don't know

What we know: The Superintendent's recommended budget is asking for $2.8M more than last year. The Town only has about $3.2M in new growth forecasted. If the schools got their increase, then the remaining $.4M would be spread among the remaining Town functions: police, fire, DPW, Library, Senior Center, etc. So the $2,8M ask is not likely to be fully funded. 

What we don't know: How will the School budget be funded? Where will the funds come from? There is a Legislative Forum scheduled for April 10 but respectfully, we can't count on additional help from the State. 

The revised school funding formula, the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) already did that by keeping Franklin (and a few other communities) as 'held harmless.' What that means is that the old formula provided more funds to Franklin than the new one would. We benefited greatly during our growth periods of the 90's and 00's under the old formula. Now that our enrollment is in decline, rather than take away the excess of what the formula should give us (currently $11M) they are holding us harmless. 

We can thank our legislative delegation Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Becca Rausch and State Representative Jeff Roy for this action. In addition to keeping us 'harmless' they did see that we could still benefit from state funding for our two biggest drivers of cost; Special Education Circuit breaker and transportation. 

For additional information on the complexity of transportation, Worcester School Committee member Tracy Novick writes:

"This piece about Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan discussing a home rule petition on transportation led me to tweet out this thread this morning, as it appears that two things are being confused. 

First, student transportation doesn't count towards net school spending in any district. Net school spending is specifically defined in 603 CMR 10.06, and it's standard: there isn't a difference between a regional and a municipal school district. There's a handful of things it doesn't include--crossing guards and building rentals are two others--and that's the case for every district.

What is different between municipal and regional district transportation is state reimbursement. Regional districts, under MGL Ch. 71, sec. 16C, have a requirement as to whom they furnish transportation and it is state reimbursed:

...the commonwealth shall reimburse such district to the full extent of the amounts expended for such transportation, subject to appropriation; provided, however, that no reimbursement for transportation between school and home shall be made on account of any pupil who resides less than one and one-half miles from the school of attendance, measured by a commonly traveled route.

The required transportation is reimbursed by the state, generally at about 75%, though this year it is projected to be 90%. "

Continue reading Tracy's piece here -> 

http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-note-on-transportation-reimbursements.html

The agenda doc contains remote participation info ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-28-23docx.pdf

The FY 2024 budget documents arranged in sections ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy2024-budget

School Budget hearing Tuesday, March 28 at 7 PM

Senate President Karen Spilka Statement on Tax Relief

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):

"Having consistently stated my support for permanent progressive tax relief, I am excited to see Governor Healey's proposal to provide much-needed financial relief to Massachusetts residents. While the Senate will need time to dive into the details, I am particularly pleased to see support for families, parents with childcare needs, seniors, and persons with disabilities reflected in this proposal. With affordability a top concern on everyone's minds, I look forward to continuing this conversation with my Senate colleagues and partners in the Administration and the House so that we can move forward with tax relief soon this session."

 

Senate President Karen Spilka: Happy Holidays! The 192nd Legislative Session in Review

Plus news from the district & around the state

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest Happy Holidays! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are finally upon us and with it comes an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and plan for the year ahead. We have so much to be thankful for: our family, friends, neighbors, and community. This season, I am thankful for your support and what we've accomplished together. As we begin 2023—and a new two-year legislative session—I am looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Senate and all of you to build a strong, inclusive, innovative and compassionate Commonwealth. From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.   As always, my office is available if you need assistance or wish to share your opinion. You can email me at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500. Warm regards, Reflecting on the last two years As 2022 comes to a close, so too does the 192nd Legislative Session of the Massachusetts General Court, our state's legislature. The 2021-2022 Legislative Session proved to be a historic and exciting time as the Massachusetts State Senate works to address the challenges affecting every one of us. As our state continues to recover from the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued to deliver relief to workers, families, and small businesses, centering them in our strategy to promote an equitable recovery for all. In response to worrying trends at the national level, we expanded Massachusetts residents' access to voting, protected our right to receive reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare, and be safe from gun violence. We also passed two major bills, now law, aimed at combatting climate change, positioning Massachusetts as a leader in this fight. Of course, no reflection on the last two years would be complete without celebrating passage of my priority issue, bringing long overdue reform to our mental and behavioral health care delivery system and ensuring that everyone can get the mental health care they need, when they need it. With the signing of the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0 into law in August 2022, all residents will soon be guaranteed a free mental health assessment, we will have tools to enforce parity for mental health coverage and we will take significant steps toward addressing the emergency room boarding crisis. And having spoken with representatives from the White House who believe that our mental health care reform bill can and will serve as model legislation for the United States, I am grateful to know that we will be providing hope for the entire nation. Our state has an important role to play as a national leader and a beacon of hope to so many. I look forward to tackling the challenges that the new session will bring. Highlights of the 192nd Legislative Session Below, are just a few of the most prominent issues which my colleagues and I in the Massachusetts State Senate addressed in the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. You can read more about all of these in the Senate's Session Report. READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of contents, please visit this link ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/17F28czHEgzLmIfRs6TGfYg-8gWmma5KZ/view?usp=share_link

Senate President Spilka: Health and Wellness Fair, & Economic Development recap

Plus news from the district & around the state

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest Thank you for making MetroWest such a great community! It was tremendous fun to see so many old and new friends and wonderful community organizations at my 11th annual Health and Wellness Fair for Ages 55+! Getting to meet all of you is one of my favorite parts of my job; it's what keeps me motivated to work hard on your behalf! From music and pop-up fitness to medical services, gardening demonstrations, nutrition and mindfulness, finding a job or making financial plans, to prize drawings, and, of course, food, this was a terrific time for us to reconnect with each other and connect with amazing resources. I'm so grateful to the staff of Keefe Regional Technical School in Framingham for making us feel at home, as well as to the engaging exhibitors and presenters, the student volunteers and my staff, and all of the attendees who made this day so exciting! I'm looking forward to seeing you next year.   As always, my office is available if you need assistance or wish to share your opinion. You can email me at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500. Take care, and be well! Warm regards, Residents 55+ Fair: Health & Wellness for Active Agers and Those Who Love Them

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!