Both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the State Senate passed a supplemental budget this past week restoring funding to Bay State towns that host correctional facilities, including Concord. The Governor cut the money last December based on a projected shortfall in revenues, but Sen. Mike Barrett and Rep. Cory Atkins helped guide through restored funding just before the fiscal year ended on June 30th.
“When an inmate escaped from a state work-release program in May, the Concord Police Department used its own resources to help catch him,” Barrett pointed out. “That effort cost money, and local taxpayers shouldn’t be the ones on the hook.”
“Given that Concord hosts two state prisons, I am glad the town will be compensated for some of the expenses it incurs,” said Atkins.
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The line item in question provides the Department of Corrections with $2 million, to be divided among the several affected towns across the state. A supplemental budget including the restored funding now goes to the Governor’s desk.
