Release - House and Senate Reach Budget Accord - 06/30/2007
For Immediate Release June 30, 2007
Local Aid, Economic Development, Health Care Targeted
BOSTON—Members of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives appointed to resolve differences between the branch’s blueprints for the $26.8 billion Fiscal Year 2008 general operating budget have reached an agreement. The accord, known as a Conference Committee Report, was signed by all Democratic and Republican committee members and will travel to the Governor’s desk for his consideration after being accepted in both the House and Senate. The plan calls for an overall increase in appropriations of 4.2% over last year.
“This budget directs resources to proven initiatives that improve quality of life, stimulate and protect regional economic growth and ensure that the most vulnerable citizens receive the care they deserve. The Legislature has continued its commitment to supporting municipalities and strengthening the partnership between state and local government by focusing on core services such as education and public safety. Finally, the course this budget sets for the Commonwealth places it on solid fiscal ground
by calling for appropriate savings and judicious spending on the most effective programs,” said Representative Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos (D-Lowell), who chair the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, respectively, and who were their branch's chief budget negotiators.
In addition to Chairman DeLeo and Chairman Panagiotakos, the conference committee appointed by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston) and Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) also included House Ways and Means Vice-Chair Marie P. St. Fleur (D-Boston); Senate Ways and Means Vice-Chair Steven A. Tolman (D-Brighton); ranking Republican House Ways and Means member Viriato M. deMacedo (R-Plymouth); and ranking Republican Senate Ways and Means member Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield).
Selected highlights of the budget agreement include:
Local Aid
Provided $935 million, a $15 million increase, in Lottery aid to cities and towns which is due to the Legislature’s recent “uncapping” of Lottery Distribution funds allowing for the return of 100% of Lottery revenue to cities and towns;
Provided over $3.72 billion for Chapter 70 education funding, which is a $220 million
increase over last year’s allocation. This amount is $93.4 million above the amount required under current statute to keep each school district at “foundation” levels and provides all 351 cities and towns with an increase in funding;
Provided $23 million for the Sewer Rate Relief fund to help control the water and sewer bills of ratepayers throughout the Commonwealth;
Provided $21.35 million in community policing grants to cities and towns;
Level funded the Additional Assistance line item;
Increased to $28.3 million Payment in Lieu of Taxes (“PILOT”) payments which represents a $3 million increase over last year; and,
Provided an increase of $2.8 million for regional school transportation reimbursements.
Education
With respect to Early Education and Care: Provided $166.9 million for child care vouchers for those being served by the Department of Transitional Assistance; $209.8 million for low income child care vouchers; and an additional $12.6 million for supportive child care to ensure that no children with active abuse or neglect cases will be without child care services;
With respect to the Department of Education: Provided $33.8 million for kindergarten
expansion grants which represents a $6.8 million increase over Fiscal Year 2007; $58.3
million for regional school transportation; an increase for the special education ‘circuit
breaker’ program of $12.3 million which represents a 9.49% increase over last year; and provide $13 million, up from $6.5 million last year, for Expanded Learning Time Grants; and,
With respect to Higher Education: Provided an increase for the scholarships of $4 million to allow a greater number of students to receive additional aid as the cost of higher education continues to rise; established the Commonwealth Covenant Fund, a new $3.75 million loan repayment program to encourage students to pursue degrees in math, science, engineering, technology and health care and to work in Massachusetts; provided an increase of $23.5 million for state and community colleges; and provided an increase of $25.2 million for the University of Massachusetts system.
Public Safety
Provided $4 million in funding for municipal police training grants;
Provided $500,000 for the witness protection board to protect those testifying in criminal prosecutions;
Provided over $160 million for services at the Department of Youth Services (DYS);
Provided $3.3 million for teachers’ salaries to improve teacher retention at DYS;
Provided $15.2 million for the State Police Crime Lab;
Provided $1.2 million to reduce recidivism rates at the Department of Corrections;
Provided $2 million for the youth anti-violence initiative, a multi-faceted approach to
confronting teen violence; and
Provided $250,000 for an emergency text messaging notification system to be set up on all public college and university campuses.
Health and Human Services
Provided the Department of Mental Retardation with $1.3 billion representing a $51 million increase over the last fiscal year;
Provided the Department of Mental Health $667 million representing an increase of $19
million over last year;
Provided $799 million for the Department of Social Services;
Provided $3.3 million for expansion of single occupancy units for homeless individuals with
mental illnesses;
Provided $9 million for adult mental health services;
Provided $23 million for salary adjustments for human service providers;
Provided an increase of $12 million for the Universal Immunization program to target
Rotavirus, Meningococcal conjugate 4 (MCV4) and other existing immunizations;
Provided an increase of $8.5 million for tobacco control; and,
Doubled the appropriation to $1.2 million, from $600,000, for the Housing First pilot project.
Economic Development
Continued funding for the Commonwealth’s One-Stop Career Centers and increased funding for the Youth-at-Risk program by $2 million;
Increased the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment by $500,000 over last year; and,
Provided $1.5 million for the Office of Business Development.
Housing and Homelessness
Provided $15 million in additional funding for Local Housing Subsidies to provide safe and affordable housing for low income and homeless families;
Provided $2.5 million in additional funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) to continue to pay for existing vouchers to eligible families and individuals; and,
Provided an additional $100,000 for the funding for the Individual Development Account
(IDA) program which pools state, federal and private funds to match earned income
deposited into the savings accounts of qualified participants.
Veterans
Provided $18.1 million for annuity payments to certain veterans and their families; and
Provided $15.1 million for veterans benefits payments to indigent veterans.
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