House Passes Balanced FY2021 Budget with Targeted Investments

November 18, 2020 - Boston - Representative David Linsky (D-Natick) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing its budget for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY2021). The budget is funded at $46 billion which will be used to invest in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Amidst a global pandemic the House budget targets investments in housing, food security, substance use addiction services, domestic violence, sexual assault treatment and prevention programs. The budget also invests in programs that provide COVID-related support for students and increases funding for developmental services.

“My colleagues and I worked together to craft a budget that will continue to protect our most vulnerable and offer stability to communities across the Commonwealth during a time of such uncertainty” said Representative Linsky. “I want to thank Speaker DeLeo, Chair Michlewitz, Vice Chair Garlick, Representative Malia as well as my colleagues in the House for all their incredible work on this budget. The House was successfully able to avoid any drastic cuts while also addressing the urgent needs facing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The House continues to further its commitment to cities and towns by investing $1.1 billion Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) and providing $5.3 billion in Chapter 70 education funding. Due to the pandemic, access to safe and affordable housing for many families across the Commonwealth is threatened. The House budget represents the ongoing commitment to housing and homelessness funding through targeted investments into rental and housing assistance to combat the eviction crisis.

Representative Linsky secured items for the Fifth Middlesex District:

Chapter 70 Education Funding:

• Millis received $4,831,312
• Natick received $10,204,682
• Sherborn received $715,207
• Dover-Sherborn Regional High School received $2,363,014

Unrestricted General Government Aid (Local Aid):

• Millis received $1,111,757
• Natick received $4,046,428
• Sherborn received $715,207

Other Fifth Middlesex Funding:

• $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Natick for the veteran’s oral history project at the Morse Institute library
• $32,000 shall be expended for the town of Natick to continue their efforts to fight opiate abuse
• $38,000 shall be expended for the town of Sherborn for the continued position of a sustainability coordinator

Statewide highlights of the budget are as follows:

Keeping in mind the widespread economic effects of the COVID pandemic, the House made specific investments in labor and economic development programs that provide opportunities for the Commonwealth’s workers and its businesses.

Along with local education funding, the House budget continues its ongoing commitment to high-quality Early Education and Care (EEC) through supporting the EEC workforce with increasing rates for early education providers by $20 million. Substantial resources are also dedicated toward supporting public higher education, increased scholarship funding for students and supporting education opportunities with community colleges.

As calls for bold climate action continue to grow, the House voted for $302 million in spending for environmental programs. This investment will aim to protect the Commonwealth’s natural resources.

In terms of public health, at $19 billion, MassHealth is the largest investment the Commonwealth makes in its most vulnerable residents including the working poor and the homeless. In response to the threats to reproductive rights for women on the national level, the House also voted to remove barriers to women’s reproductive health options and protect the concepts enshrined in Roe v. Wade. The budget also invests in critical health and human services agencies.

In order to support programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the House budget increases funding for developmental services to $2.1 billion and includes $264 million for community day and work programs across the Commonwealth.

The budget furthers the House’s ongoing commitment to fight the opioid epidemic by providing assistance to those who are battling substance addiction. The Bureau of Substance Addiction will receive increased funding while offering continued support for step-down recovery services, jail diversion programs, and expansion of access to life-saving medication.

With the growing concerns around domestic violence, the House budget establishes a grant program to provide domestic violence advocate services across the state to connect survivors with essential services.

Finally, the House budget includes funding for the judiciary and ongoing criminal justice reform, including a $761 million investment in the trail court and $20 million for criminal justice reform implementation.

The budget is now with the Senate.

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For more information: Connor Green (617)-722-2575