Franklin Matters: state funding

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Sunday, May 29, 2022

Mass Senate Passes Fiscal Year 2023 Budget

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday, May 26, 2022, passed a $49.78 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Advanced with unanimous support, the budget makes significant, critical and targeted investments in the areas of education, health care, housing and community supports to meet the on-the-ground challenges brought on by the global pandemic and ongoing financial uncertainty.

“The residents of Massachusetts are at the center of our work and their voice, advocacy and contributions are interwoven throughout our Fiscal 2023 budget,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I take great pride in advancing a budget that contains meaningful investments in early education and childcare, K-12 schools, public higher education, mental health and substance use disorder treatment as well as a record level of assistance for low-income residents. At a time when reproductive and gender equity rights are under attack across the country, I am also grateful that the Senate budget adopts new, critically needed measures to protect our providers and health care centers. I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman and Assistant Vice Chair Lewis, as well as their staffs, the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, all of my Senate colleagues who contributed ideas and energy as this budget came together and every advocate and member of the public who made sure we knew what was important to them.”

“Today, the members of the Senate have spoken and moved forward together to pass a Fiscal Year 2023 budget that strengthens our state’s economic foundation, upholds the fundamental rights of our people and continues our efforts to build a more inclusive Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Under the leadership of Senate President Spilka, the Senate has taken meaningful steps this week to support our long-term economic health, maintain fiscal responsibility, and make targeted investments in education, local aid, health care, housing, workforce development, and many other important areas, ensuring we meet the everyday needs of our communities. Thank you to the Senate President for her guidance, Vice Chair Cindy Friedman, Assistant Vice Chair Senator Jason Lewis, Ranking Minority Member Senator Patrick O’Connor and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr for their impactful contributions, and to my colleagues in the Senate, whose advocacy throughout the week contributed to a respectful and civil discussion on priorities important to them, which helped shape the overall direction of this budget.”

“The budget that passed the Senate today continues our commitment to funding the urgent needs of our residents, including increased funding for housing, education, child care, and assistance for families,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This budget addresses the mental health crisis in Massachusetts by creating the Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Intervention Trust Fund, which will fund crisis supports and a new behavioral health crisis hotline. And while we know there is more need and more to do, this budget makes significant progress in these areas. I am also incredibly proud that Amendment #388, which I filed, was adopted. This amendment will enhance protections for residents, visitors and providers engaged in lawful reproductive and gender-affirming health care in the Commonwealth.”

“I'm excited that this budget will help move the Commonwealth forward and continue a strong and equitable recovery from the pandemic,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Chair of the Joint Committee on Education and Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I'm particularly pleased that we are continuing to fully fund the Student Opportunity Act as well as beginning to implement the recommendations of the Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission in order to expand access to high quality, affordable early education and care. Thank you to President Spilka and Chair Rodrigues for your leadership and to all my Senate colleagues for helping craft such a strong budget for the residents of the Commonwealth.”

The Senate’s FY23 budget includes a total of $49.78 billion in spending with $854.4 million deposited into the state’s rainy-day fund, bringing that account’s total to $6.74 billion. Structured upon a consensus revenue estimate of 2.7 per cent growth, the budget also funds Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) at $1.231 billion. Other budget highlights are detailed below.

Education

Drawing on its belief that the state’s recovery is made stronger by a commitment to invest in early education and care, the Senate’s budget makes a $1.13 billion investment into this sector of the care economy, including $300 million in new resources to begin implementation of recommendations made by the Early Education and Care Economy Review Commission. These investments will help to stabilize providers, support the early educator workforce, and provide access to affordable care for children and families. Funding includes:

$250 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants, stabilizing the early education and care sector by supporting critical operational and workforce needs
$25 million for a new infrastructure and policy reform reserve to bolster the statewide system of care and assist families in navigating the early education landscape
$25 million for the center-based childcare rate reserve for reimbursement rates for subsidized care
$16.5 million for grants to the Head Start program to maintain access to early education services for low-income families
$15 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to expand access to pre-kindergarten and preschool opportunities in underserved areas
$5 million for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship

In K-12 education, the Senate delivers on its promise to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by FY 2027, investing $6 billion in Chapter 70 funding, an increase of $495 million over FY 2022, as well as double minimum Chapter 70 aid from $30 to $60 per pupil. This investment ensures the state remains on schedule to fully implement the law by FY2027, provides school districts with resources to provide high quality educational opportunities, and addresses rising costs and administrative challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This budget also confronts head-on the issue of higher education student costs by providing $175.2 million for the scholarship reserve, including an additional $37.5 million for the MassGrant and MassGrant Plus programs. An amendment adopted by the Senate also dedicate $1 million to pilot a digital textbook and materials program at a community college or state university to provide student with the opportunity to access free textbooks online.

The Senate also expands access to inclusive education opportunities for young adults with disabilities through the removal of existing barriers and codifying the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment grant program. The budget dedicates $4 million in flexible resources for the public higher education system to implement and support inclusive learning options for this diverse student population. Other education investments include:

$435 million for the special education circuit breaker
$243.8 million for charter school reimbursements
$82.2 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs, representing an 85% reimbursement rate
$10 million for Early College programs and $9 million for the state’s Dual Enrollment initiative, both of which provide high school students with increased opportunities for post-graduate success
$5.5 million, after adding $1.5 million through an amendment, for targeted aid to rural schools
$1.5 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund, fulfilling our commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide and support implementation efforts in accordance with Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Concerning Genocide Education, passed by the Legislature in 2021

Health, Mental Health & Family Care

For too many—especially children—the post-pandemic world continues to be wrought with uncertainty. To address these concerns, the Senate’s budget focuses on funding a range of services, including social emotional learning (SEL) support for students, domestic violence prevention, substance use disorder treatment, and strengthening our regional boards of health. The budget also supports the expansion of Family Resource Centers (FRCS), which offer resources to families seeking health, safety, educational, and employment services.

The Massachusetts State Senate’s FY23 budget also sends a strong message that reproductive health and gender affirming health will be protected, despite growing legal uncertainty across the United States. Investments include $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety. An amendment to the budget also codifies new protections for receiving and providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Massachusetts in response to laws in other states allowing their residents to bring legal action against individuals for traveling out-of-state to receive services and against workers who provide care.

The Senate budget funds MassHealth at a total of $18.56 billion, providing more than 2.1 million people with access to affordable and accessible health care services. Other health investments include:

$514.6 million for Department of Mental Health adult support services, including assisted outpatient programming and comprehensive care coordination among health care providers
$210.3 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services to support these individuals and their families
$112.5 million for children’s mental health services
$56 million for domestic violence prevention services
$40.4 million for Early Intervention services, ensuring supports remain accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities

$28.3 million for Family Resource Centers to grow and improve the mental health resources and programming available to families
$20 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives
$18.5 million, increased during the amendment process, to expand to all correctional facilities the existing pilot program for the delivery of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder
$18 million for family and adolescent health, including $7.8 million for comprehensive family planning services and $6.7 million to enhance federal Title X family planning funding
$15 million for grants to support local and regional boards of health, continuing our efforts to build upon the successful State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program
$15 million for emergency department diversion initiatives for children, adolescents, and adults
$8.2 million to support student behavioral health services at the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges
$6 million for Social Emotional Learning Grants to help K-12 schools bolster social emotional learning supports for students, and $1 million to provide mental health screenings for K-12 students
$4.4 million for the Office of the Child Advocate
$3.5 million for the Massachusetts Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma
$3 million for Children Advocacy Centers to improve the critical supports available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused
$1 million, increased through the amendment process, for an expansion of the Hey Sam text-based mental health support line, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention communications initiative for youth and young adults

The Senate also adopted an amendment that prevents correctional facilities from charging fees to incarcerated persons or their loved ones for prison phone calls, and it also sets a new requirement that commissary items in correctional facilities shall not be sold at more than 3 per cent over the purchase cost. Both changes ensure that our correctional facilities do not unjustly profit off the basic needs of incarcerated persons.

In addition, the Senate adopted an amendment to address the failures that led to the tragic death of Harmony Montgomery, who was released from state custody in 2019 when she was five years old, but then went missing for two years without being reported. To ensure that a tragedy like this will not happen again, this budget establishes a Harmony Montgomery Commission to study, examine and make recommendations regarding the welfare and best interest considerations of children in care and protection cases and petition to dispense with consent cases.

Expanding & Protecting Opportunities

The Senate remains committed to continuing an equitable recovery, expanding opportunity, and supporting the state’s long-term economic health. To that end, the budget includes a record investment in the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing $400 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year. The budget also includes a 10 per cent increase to Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) benefit levels compared to June 2022 to help families move out of deep poverty.

With skilled workers in high demand and job openings plentiful, the Senate’s budget invests more than $100 million to bolster job training programs, help connect unemployed and under-employed people with higher paying jobs and support career services that help students gain access and skills to apply for future jobs. Economic opportunity investments include:

$356.6 million for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and $140.7 million for Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to provide the necessary support as caseloads increase, and lift families and individuals out of so-called ‘deep poverty’
$55.3 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce.
$30.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
$24.1 million for summer jobs and work-readiness training for at-risk youth
$20 million in Healthy Incentives Programs to maintain access to healthy food options for households in need
$20 million for a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program to provide economic support to communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system
$17 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to connect unemployed and under-employed workers with higher paying jobs
$15.4 million for Career Technical Institutes to increase our skilled worker population and provide residents access to career technical training opportunities
$7.5 million for community foundations to provide emergency economic relief to historically underserved populations
$5 million for the Secure Jobs Connect Program, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals
$4.8 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to trainings and post-secondary opportunities in the industry sector with a focus on STEM fields
$2.5 million for the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Innovation Fund, including $1.5 million to continue partnerships with community colleges and state universities to provide cybersecurity workforce training to students and cybersecurity services to municipalities, non-profits, and small businesses
$500,000, through an amendment, for the Economic Empowerment Trust Fund to expand the state’s Baby Steps college savings program

An amendment passed by the Senate would also establish a veteran equality review board to ensure that veterans dishonorably discharged under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” receive state-based veterans’ benefits. Another adopted amendment directs the state to develop one common application portal through which residents can simultaneously apply for multiple forms of state-administered needs-based benefits and services.

Housing

Based on the Senate’s understanding of the strong link housing security has to positive health and economic outcomes, the Senate FY23 budget invests over $900 million in increased funding for housing stability and homelessness assistance to work towards keeping people in their homes and helping individuals and families find permanent housing solutions.

The budget prioritizes relief for families and individuals who continue to face challenges brought on by both the pandemic and financial insecurity, including $213.2 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and $210 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), including $60 million carried over from the March supplemental budget. The budget also upholds the emergency-level maximum amount of rental assistance that a household can receive at $10,000. Eligible households facing a housing crisis would also be given access to apply for RAFT and HomeBASE. The budget, through adoption of an amendment, also requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to study and report on the execution of no-fault evictions between 2019 and 2022. Other housing investments include:

$175 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), including $20.7 million in unspent funds carried forward from FY 2022; the budget also recommends structural program changes that, starting January 1, 2023, will allow households to pay no more than 30% of their income for rent to receive rental vouchers for up to 110% of fair market value
$92 million for assistance to local housing authorities
$83.3 million for assistance for homeless individuals
$56.9 million for the HomeBASE diversion and rapid re-housing programs, bolstering assistance under this program to two years with a per household maximum benefit of $20,000
$19.3 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), which provides rental assistance to people with disabilities, including $5.6 million in unspent funds carried forward from FY 2022 and $2.5 million for grants to improve or create accessible affordable housing units
$5 million for sponsored-based supportive permanent housing
$3.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including $250,000 for homeless LGBTQ+ youth

Community Support

The Committee’s budget reflects the Senate’s unwavering support for cities and towns and provides a significant amount of local and regional aid to ensure communities can provide essential services to the public while addressing local impacts caused by the pandemic. This includes $1.231 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), an increase of $63 million over FY 2022, to support additional resources for cities and towns. In addition to traditional sources of local aid, the Committee’s budget increases payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $45 million, an increase of $10 million over FY 2022. PILOT funding is a vital source of supplemental local aid for cities and towns working to protect and improve access to essential services and programs during recovery from the pandemic. Other local investments include:

$96.5 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation systems, including $2.5 million for the implementation of pilot programs for fare innovation and reduction across the state
$40.8 million for libraries, including $14.5 million for regional library local aid, $16 million for municipal libraries and $4.7 million for technology and automated resource networks
$22.3 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture and creative economy initiatives
$3 million for Non-Profit Security Grants, after an increase of $1.5 million through the amendment process, to cover vital security enhancements to houses of worship, community centers, and other institutions at heightened risk of violence
$1 million for the New American Voter Grant Program to provide accessible election materials to municipalities with significant non-English speaking populations and promote public awareness about voting

The Senate also adopted an amendment based on recommendations of the PFAS Interagency Task Force, which would provide $250,000 for the continued implementation of the AFFF Take-Back Program that funds the collection and proper disposal of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) stored by municipal fire departments and other public safety partners in Massachusetts.

Another amendment passed in the budget would also extend COVID-19 state-of-emergency provisions related to remote public meetings, flexible town meetings, remote notaries, remote corporate meeting and remote mortgage video conferencing.

The Senate’s FY23 Budget is available on the Massachusetts legislature’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget. Now that the Senate and Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed their respective budget proposals, both branches will now work together, form a conference committee and reconcile differences.

The web page hasn't caught up to the MA Senate having passed their budget on Thursday sending it to the conference committee to work the reconciliation before it goes to Gov Baker

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

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Senate Ways and Means Releases Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Recommendations

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday announced a $49.68 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). A fiscally responsible and forward-looking plan, the Committee’s budget seeks to ensure the long-term economic health of the Commonwealth through increased investments in areas such as education, health care and housing so that Massachusetts residents can continue to move forward together. Above all, the proposal is intentional and targeted in its approach to providing support to those who continue to face challenges brought on by the global pandemic and ongoing financial uncertainty.

“The Massachusetts State Senate has always believed in partnering with the people of the Commonwealth to move us all forward. This approach is evident in our Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which seeks to provide the support individuals, families, businesses, and communities need to navigate these uncertain times,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This budget makes meaningful investments in early education and childcare, K-12 schools, public higher education, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, housing, and individuals and families living in deep poverty. We will only succeed as a Commonwealth if we all rise together, and this budget ensures that no one gets left behind. I’d like to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman and Assistant Vice Chair Lewis, as well as their staffs, the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, all of my Senate colleagues who contributed ideas and energy as this budget came together, and every advocate and member of the public who made sure we knew what was important to them.”

“Striving to meet the everyday needs of our communities and our Commonwealth, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2023 budget is a forward-looking blueprint that aims to support our long-term economic health and expand access to opportunities as we move forward together to build an inclusive post-pandemic future that equitably benefits all,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Focusing on shared priorities and upholding fiscal responsibility, I am very proud of the Committee’s budget and the targeted investments we are making collectively in education, local aid, health care, housing, family supports, workforce development, and much more to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economic foundation, while positioning us to respond nimbly to challenges and weather future uncertainty. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate, especially my colleagues on the Committee, whose advocacy, collaboration, and dedication helped to inform and shape this comprehensive budget plan and thank you to Senate President Spilka for her steadfast leadership as we work together to build anew and bolster our state’s long-term economic health.”

“The FY23 budget introduced today by the Senate continues our dedication to investing in the people of the Commonwealth,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Extraordinary events have occurred during the past few years that have upended the lives of too many. This budget continues to prioritize essential government services and programs, including early childhood and education programming and healthcare services, as Massachusetts continues to recover from the pandemic.”

“I'm excited that this budget will help move the Commonwealth forward and continue a strong and equitable recovery from the pandemic,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I'm particularly pleased that we are continuing to fully fund the Student Opportunity Act as well as beginning to implement the recommendations of the Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission in order to expand access to high quality, affordable early education and care. Thank you to President Spilka and Chair Rodrigues for your leadership in crafting this budget proposal, and I look forward to engaging further with our Senate colleagues.”

The Committee’s budget recommends a total of $49.68 billion in spending, a $2.07 billion increase over the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) General Appropriations Act. This spending recommendation is based on a tax revenue estimate of $36.915 billion for FY 2023, representing 2.7 per cent growth, as previously agreed upon during the consensus revenue process in January. With tax revenue collections exceeding expectations, the Committee’s FY 2023 budget avoids the use of one-time resources, helping to ensure that the Commonwealth continues to responsibly grow healthy reserves, address immediate needs and weather future uncertainty. The Senate FY23 budget also funds Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) at $1.231 billion. Other budget highlights are detailed below.

Education

$250 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants, stabilizing the early education and care sector by supporting critical operational and workforce needs.
$25 million for a new infrastructure and policy reform reserve to bolster the statewide system of care and assist families in navigating the early education landscape.
$25 million for the center-based childcare rate reserve for reimbursement rates for subsidized care.
$16.5 million for grants to the Head Start program to maintain access to early education services for low-income families.
$15 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to expand access to pre-kindergarten and preschool opportunities in underserved areas.
$5 million for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship.

In K-12 education, the Senate commits once again to fully funding and implementing the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by FY 2027, investing $6 billion in Chapter 70 funding, an increase of $495 million over FY 2022, as well as doubling minimum Chapter 70 aid from $30 to $60 per pupil. This investment ensures the state remains on schedule to fully implement the law by FY2027, provides school districts with resources to provide high quality educational opportunities, and addresses rising costs and administrative challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the record levels of investment in early education and K-12, the Committee’s budget confronts head on the issue of higher education student costs by providing $175 million for the scholarship reserve, including an additional $37.5 million for the MassGrant and MassGrant Plus programs.

The Committee’s budget also expands access to inclusive education opportunities for young adults with disabilities through the removal of existing barriers and codifying the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment grant program. The budget dedicates $4 million in flexible resources for the public higher education system to implement and support inclusive learning options for this diverse student population. Other education investments include:

$435 million for the special education circuit breaker.
$243.8 million for charter school reimbursements.
$82.2 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs, representing a 85% reimbursement rate.
$10 million for Early College programs and $9 million for the state’s Dual Enrollment initiative, both of which provide high school students with increased opportunities for post-graduate success.
$2.5 million for grants offered through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment initiative to help high school students with intellectual disabilities ages 18–22 access higher education opportunities; and $1.5 million for the newly created Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Trust Fund.
$1.5 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund, fulfilling our commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide and support implementation efforts in accordance with Chapter 98 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Concerning Genocide Education, passed by the Legislature in 2021.

Health, Mental Health & Family Care

$514.3 million for Department of Mental Health adult support services, including assisted outpatient programming and comprehensive care coordination among health care providers.
$209.3 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services to support these individuals and their families.
$112 million for children’s mental health services.
$56 million for domestic violence prevention services.
$40.4 million for Early Intervention services, ensuring supports remain accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

$28.3 million for Family Resource Centers to grow and improve the mental health resources and programming available to families.
$20 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives.
$18 million for family and adolescent health, including $7.8 million for comprehensive family planning services and $6.7 million to enhance federal Title X family planning funding.
$15 million for grants to support local and regional boards of health, continuing our efforts to build upon the successful State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program.
$15 million for emergency department diversion initiatives for children, adolescents, and adults.
$8 million to support student behavioral health services at the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges.
$6 million for Social Emotional Learning Grants to help K-12 schools bolster social emotional learning supports for students, and $1 million to provide mental health screenings for K-12 students.
$4.4 million for the Office of the Child Advocate.
$3.5 million for the Massachusetts Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma.
$3 million for Children Advocacy Centers to improve the critical supports available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused.
$2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety.

Expanding & Protecting Opportunities

The Senate remains committed to continuing an equitable recovery, expanding opportunity, and supporting the state’s long-term economic health. To that end, the Committee’s budget includes a record investment in the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing $400 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year. The budget also includes a 10 per cent increase to Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) benefit levels compared to June 2022 to help families move out of deep poverty.

$356.6 million for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and $140.7 million for Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to provide the necessary support as caseloads increase, and lift families and individuals out of so-called ‘deep poverty.’
$55 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce.
$30.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program.
$24 million for summer jobs and work-readiness training for at-risk youth.
$20 million in Healthy Incentives Programs to maintain access to healthy food options for households in need.
$20 million for a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program to provide economic support to communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system.
$17 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to connect unemployed and under-employed workers with higher paying jobs.
$15.4 million for Career Technical Institutes to increase our skilled worker population and provide residents access to career technical training opportunities.
$7.5 million for community foundations to provide emergency economic relief to historically underserved populations.
$5 million for the Secure Jobs Connect Progam, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals.
$4.8 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to trainings and post-secondary opportunities in the industry sector with a focus on STEM fields.
$2.5 million for the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Innovation Fund, including $1.5 million to continue partnerships with community colleges and state universities to provide cybersecurity workforce training to students and cybersecurity services to municipalities, non-profits, and small businesses.

Housing

$175 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), including $20.7 million in unspent funds carried forward from FY 2022; the budget also recommends structural program changes that, starting January 1, 2023, will allow households to pay no more than 30% of their income for rent to receive rental vouchers for up to 110% of fair market value.
$92 million for assistance to local housing authorities.
$83.3 million for assistance for homeless individuals.
$56.9 million for the HomeBASE diversion and rapid re-housing programs, bolstering assistance under this program to two years with a per household maximum benefit of $20,000.
$19.3 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), which provides rental assistance to people with disabilities, including $5.6 million in unspent funds carried forward from FY 2022 and $2.5 million for grants to improve or create accessible affordable housing units.
$5 million for sponsored-based supportive permanent housing.
$3.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including $250,000 for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

Community Support

$96.5 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation systems, including $2.5 million for the implementation of pilot programs for fare innovation and reduction across the state.
$40.8 million for libraries, including $14.5 million for regional library local aid, $16 million for municipal libraries and $4.7 million for technology and automated resource networks.
$22 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture and creative economy initiatives.

Senators can file amendments to the Senate Ways and Means recommendations through Friday, May 10, 2022 at 1 p.m. The Senate will then debate the FY23 budget proposal in formal session beginning Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The FY23 Senate Ways and Means Budget Recommendations are available on the Massachusetts legislature’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget.