Franklin Matters

Friday, June 2, 2023

Senate President Spilka: I'm so proud of the Senate's FY24 budget

Special Budget Update

Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly approved our Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

It's a great budget.

The funding and initiatives it contains will propel Massachusetts forward through expanded opportunities, and help us boldly face the future with our Commonwealth's unique brand of courageous competitiveness, which balances the need for economic fundamentals with our commitment to our highest values.

I am so proud that the Senate voted resoundingly for a transformative budget built on the simple principle that our success as a Commonwealth is tied to the success of every single person who calls Massachusetts home.

Massachusetts will be competitive so long as people from all over the world can come here to fulfill their dreams – whether by going back to school, advancing their career, starting a business, or finding affordable housing and child care to raise a family.

At a time when our world-class educational institutions are more needed now than ever, this budget adds a new chapter in Massachusetts' storied tradition of making education accessible to all through our expanded Student Opportunity Plan.

I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman, Assistant Vice Chair Comerford, the Senate Ways & Means Committee and all my Senate colleagues for their thoughtful and collaborative work on this budget.

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,

The Massachusetts Senate approved on Thursday a $55.9 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). Following a robust, spirited, and engaging debate process, the Senate approved 478 amendments, adding $82.2 million in spending to the budget.

As the Commonwealth continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate's budget prioritizes upholding fiscal discipline and responsibility and supports the long-term economic health of the state.

The Senate budget delivers historic levels of investment in education, housing, regional transportation, health care, workforce development, climate preparedness, and much more, while centering equity and opportunity as part of a broader, more comprehensive strategy to make Massachusetts more affordable, inclusive, and competitive. LEARN MORE

Fair Share Revenue

Consistent with the consensus revenue agreement reached with the Administration and House in January, the Senate's FY24 budget includes $1 billion in revenues generated from the Fair Share ballot initiative voters approved in November 2022, which established a new surtax of 4 per cent on annual income above $1 million and invests these new public dollars to improve the state's education and transportation sectors.

To safeguard this new source of revenue, the Senate's FY24 budget also establishes an Education and Transportation Fund to account for these Fair Share funds in an open and transparent manner. This will ensure the public is visibly informed about how much revenue is collected from the new surtax and how much of this revenue is being dedicated to improving public education and transportation systems in accordance with the ballot initiative. LEARN MORE

Education

The Senate Ways and Means FY24 budget proposal takes the first step toward implementing the Senate's Student Opportunity Plan by making high-quality education more accessible and by making record investments to support students across the full breadth of the Commonwealth's education system, from Massachusetts' youngest learners to adults re-entering higher education.

Recognizing that investments in our early education and care system support the underlying economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth, the Senate's budget makes a historic $1.5 billion investment in early education and care. This is the largest-ever proposed annual appropriation for early education and care in Massachusetts history. For context, this area of the budget has increased by more than 77 percent (more than $660 million) over the budget from three fiscal years prior. The FY24 budget will maintain operational support for providers, support the early education and care workforce, and prioritize accessibility and affordability throughout our early education and care system.

Notably, this will be the first fiscal year in which the annual state budget includes a full year of funding for C3 grants, signaling a historic commitment to maintain this crucial lifeline for our early education and care sector. Funded at $475 million, this program, which is open to all early education and care providers, provides monthly payments to programs throughout Massachusetts. These grants, which are received by 88% of early education and care programs in the Commonwealth, have empowered programs to raise salaries, to hire additional staff, to maintain their enrollment levels, and to avoid tuition increases. Without the continuation of these grants, 751 providers (which serve over 15,000 children) have indicated that they would have to close their doors.

Other notable funding includes:

$45 million for the center-based childcare rate reserve for reimbursement rates for subsidized care, including:
$20 million in line-item appropriations, and
$25 million in expected leftover funds from Fiscal Year 2023
$30 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative, which empowers school districts to expand prekindergarten and preschool opportunities through public-private partnerships. This is double the amount that was appropriated for this initiative in FY23.
$25 million in new funding to reduce the waiting list for income-eligible child care assistance program, which will create approximately 2,200 new slots for children
$25 million in new funding for capital investments in early education and care programs to build capacity and ensure the ability of programs to safely accommodate additional slots
$17.5 million for grants to Head Start programs, which provide crucial early education and child care services to low-income families
$15 million, an increase of $5 million over FY23, to assist early education and care staff members with paying for their own personal child care
$10 million for professional development and higher education opportunities for early educators, to assist with recruitment and retention challenges in the workforce
$5 million, an increase of $1.5 million over FY23, for mental health consultation services in early education and care programs

In addition to these appropriations, the Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes a policy section that will allow subsidized early education and care programs to provide child care discounts to their own staff members.

For K-12 education, the Senate commits once again to fully funding and implementing the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by FY 2027, investing $6.59 billion in Chapter 70 funding, an increase of $604 million over FY 2023, as well as doubling minimum Chapter 70 aid from $30 to $60 per pupil. This investment ensures that the state remains on schedule to fully implement the Student Opportunity Act by FY2027 and ensures that all school districts are equipped with the resources to deliver high quality educational opportunities to their students.

In addition to these record investments in early education and public K-12 education, the Committee's budget expands pathways to affordable public higher education for all by building capacity for free community college for all students in Fall 2024. Laying the groundwork for this momentous change to make higher education more accessible, the Senate budget includes $275 million for the scholarship reserve, $55 million to accelerate and build up capacity to support free community college across all campuses by fall of 2024, and $40 million for free community college programs for students aged 25 or older and for students pursuing degrees in nursing starting in the fall of 2023, thereby addressing a critical need felt across the state.

The Committee's budget also welcomes students regardless of their race, national origin, citizenship, or immigration status, making clear that all high school students who attend for three years and graduate from a Massachusetts high school are eligible to receive in-state tuition at our public institutions of higher education. LEARN MORE

There is so much more in the Senate's FY budget...

Please go to karenspilka.com to learn more!

Press

An unfinished piece of criminal justice reform business: Raising the age for juvenile offenders

Boston Globe

May 25, 2023

Mass. Senate passes $56 billion budget, with focus on higher education access

GBH News

May 25, 2023

Give in-state college tuition to undocumented immigrants

Boston Globe

May 20, 2023

Senate budget would make undocumented students eligible for in-state college tuition. Healey says it's 'a really good thing.'

Boston Globe

May 9, 2023

Senate reveals $55 billion spending plan; proposes free community college for all

Telegram & Gazette

May 9, 2023

Senate budget boosts RTA funding, backs fare-free buses

Commonwealth Magazine

May 9, 2023

karenspilka.com

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133

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Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Senior Center, DPW, Police, Facilities, & Fire - Apply now!

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.

Supportive Programming Assistant - Senior Center

Heavy Motor Equipment Operators - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department

Patrol Officer - Franklin Police Department

Summer Employment - Facilities Department

Firefighter / Paramedic - Franklin Fire Department

Custodian - Facilities Department

Updated 06/01/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with Senior Center, DPW, Police, Facilities, & Fire - Apply now!

Weekly Wellness Update - World No Tobacco Day

Today (May 31, 2023) is "World No Tobacco Day"! The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year -tobacco kills up to half of its users!

Find out tips and steps to quit smoking: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

Weekly Wellness Update - World No Tobacco Day

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 2, 2023

wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am DPW Stormwater Management 03-13-23

9:00 am Frank's Musings: Debt Ceiling

11:00 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 3

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 2

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

4:00 pm Strawberry Stroll 2022

4:30 pm FPAC: Broadway in Franklin 2022

8:30 pm Ben Gardner's Boat

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

8:30 am It Takes A Village: Hockomock Area YMCA

10:30 am FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:30 pm FHS Pops Night 2023

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Taunton 05-22-23

Watch the FHS Class of 2023 Graduation via Livestream at 6:30 PM

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-11-23

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-11-23

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Franklin Senior Center: Senior Connection Newsletter for June 2023

Can you believe it's already June! We have many exciting programs and activities happening at the Senior Center that you won't want to miss.

Especially, our Senior Olympics from June 12-23rd!

Make sure to register now!

Click here for the June Newsletter

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/franklin-senior-center-senior-connection-june-2023-newsletter

Franklin Senior Center: Senior Connection Newsletter for June 2023

Rausch Report: FY ‘24 Senate Budget Roundup (May 2023)

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents, and or subscribe to receive your own copy, follow this link -> https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17048741

May is always a busy month in the Senate, and this year is no exception! Read on to find updates on our Fiscal Year 2024 Senate budget debate, including many wins for our values and our district, Memorial Day observances, town election results, details on upcoming office hours, and more.

For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

My opening remarks during the Senate Budget debates

Last week my Senate colleagues and I wrapped up our budget deliberations for Fiscal Year 2024, passing a $55.9 billion budget to support our Commonwealth's families and communities. I am so proud that our budget makes critical investments in early education and care, transportation, higher education, local senior centers, regional transportation, climate action infrastructure and resiliency, youth mental health, and security enhancements to organizations at risk for terrorist attacks and hate crimes. Check out some spotlighted investments below!

SPOTLIGHT: Youth Mental Health

Continuing the life-saving work started back in 2021 in collaboration with young people in our district, the Senate FY24 budget fully funds Samaritans and Hey Sam, the Commonwealth's first ever state-sponsored youth mental health support text line with a $1.4 million investment. What started as a conversation with students in my district is now a Senate-wide supported program to continue addressing the youth mental health crisis and save young lives every day.

SPOTLIGHT: Climate Investments

As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, I am proud of the significant investments made in our Senate budget to comprehensively address climate change, environmental justice, and environmental protection:

$148.7 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which will support our state parks
$8.8 million for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Environmental Justice Program, which ensures that those most impacted by climate change are centered in climate change solutions

$83.5 million for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to protect and care for our air, land, and waterways
$47.8 million to the Department of Agricultural Resources to promote food security and support the local food economy
$10 million for climate change adaptation and preparedness plans
$5 million to the Division of Ecological Restoration (DOER) to protect our rivers, wetlands and watersheds
$8.3 million to the Environmental Health Bureau to address the effects of climate change on public health

SPOTLIGHT: Early Education and Care

As a mom of younger children in the state with the most expensive childcare in the nation, I am particularly aware of the need to uplift families and children in the Commonwealth. Our Senate budget makes the most significant investments in early education and care in Massachusetts history -- $1.5 billion -- demonstrating our collective commitment to our children, our families, and the economic health and security of the Commonwealth.

SPOTLIGHT: Nonprofit Security Grants

The Senate Budget also included $4 million to provide target hardening and security enhancements to organizations at risk for terrorist attacks or hate crimes. I've spoken openly about the antisemitism my family and I have experienced; this grant funding supports all marginalized communities at a critical moment when hate is on the rise, including targeted harassment and violence because of our identities. This investment sends a message that we will confront and combat hatred in all its forms.

"Franklin" is one of the Hurricane names for the 2023 Hurricane season

Today marks the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season, which will run until November 30. The long-term averages for the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes are 14, 7, and 3, respectively.

The list of names for 2023 is as follows:

Name Pronunciation Name Pronunciation

------------------------------------------------------------

Arlene ar-LEEN Lee lee

Bret bret Margot MAR-go

Cindy SIN-dee Nigel NY-juhl

Don dahn Ophelia o-FEEL-ya

Emily EH-mih-lee Philippe fee-LEEP

Franklin FRANK-lin Rina REE-nuh

Gert gert Sean shawn

Harold HAIR-uld Tammy TAM-ee

Idalia ee-DAL-ya Vince vinss

Jose ho-Zay Whitney WHIT-nee

Katia KAH-tya

Shared from -> https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php

"Franklin" is one of the Hurricane names for the 2023 Hurricane season

FHS boys tennis advances in playoffs with 5-0 win over Methuen; next match vs Winchester

Via HockomockSports .com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Tennis = Division 1 = #38 Methuen, 0 @ #27 Franklin, 5 – Final

– Franklin opened its state tournament run with a clean sweep over visiting Methuen, winning all five matches. Jay Gorgas didn’t drop a set in a 6-0, 6-0 first singles win, Ahan Shetty overcame a tight tiebreaker loss in the first set to win two super tiebreakers in a row (6-7 (10), 10-6, 10-6) at second singles, and Vikram Chakrabhavi earned a 6-2, 6-2 third singles win. The team of Andrew Amante and Aaron Ramaswamy impressed in a 6-2, 6-1 victory at first doubles while Jai Kandula and Pritam Sompally overcame a one-set deficit to take a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 win at second doubles.

D1 - Tennis bracket -> http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6911

Franklin's next match -> vs Winchester - Gm 48: 6/1 3:30pm at: Winchester Swim & Tennis Club

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-31-23/

FHS Panthers

FHS baseball, softball, girls and boys lacrosse playoff brackets

Via HockomockSports .com and the MIAA, we share the playoff brackets for the spring sports competition for Franklin High School. We also provide the links to the full set of Hockomock League brackets as well as the MIAA brackets by sport.

Baseball = Division 1

#1 Franklin (19-3) will host the winner of #32 Lexington (13-9)/#33 Hingham (10-10) on Monday, 6/5 at 7:00.

http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6925

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-baseball-playoff-seeds-matchups-2023-2/

Softball - Division 1

#19 Franklin (9-11) will travel to #14 Westford Academy (10-6) at a date and time to be determined.

http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6931

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-softball-playoff-seeds-matchups-2023/

Boys Lacrosse = Division 1

#4 Franklin (17-1) will host #29 Methuen (9-9) at a date and time to be determined.

http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6936

Girls Lacrosse = Division 1

#7 Franklin (17-3) will host the winner of #26 Andover (8-10)/#39 Doherty (9-8) at a date and time to be determined.

http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6937

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-lacrosse-playoff-seeds-matchups-2023/

FHS Panthers

School Committee: Budget Subcommittee Meeting - June 5 - 5:00 PM

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin School Committee

Budget Subcommittee

June 5, 2023 5:30 PM

A G E N D A
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Call to Order

● FY24 Budget

● Adjournment

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-budgetsubcom-6-5-23.pdf