MA House Passes Supplemental Spending Bill

BOSTON – Representative David P. Linsky (D-Natick) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives last night in passing a $693 million supplemental spending bill with a vote of 154-0. This bill, H.3982, provides additional funding for several state programs for the fiscal year 2023.

The supplemental budget issues appropriations for Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) caseworkers who are providers of SNAP, TANF, and EAEDC, as well as funding for fiscally strained hospitals. Updated salaries for unionized workers in Massachusetts across 33 collective bargaining agreements were approved, as well as authorization for the Department of Public Utilities to approve a contract to carry hydroelectric power from Quebec through Maine, with endpoints including Massachusetts. The spending bill additionally provided updates to sports wagering guidelines for horse and greyhound racing; these updates extend previously established trust fund contributions and regulations by 5 years.

The budget contained a consolidated amendment that included an increase in grant money for the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), with aims to facilitate the development of market-rate and affordable housing in Gateway Cities.

“This supplemental budget addresses funding for several important Massachusetts state programs that deserved our immediate attention for the 2023 fiscal year,” said Representative Linsky. “I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz, and the rest of my colleagues in the House for their hard work ensuring our Commonwealth’s programs receive the funding they deserve.”

After passing the House on July 13, the legislation will now go to the Senate for consideration.

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