Representative Jones Secures $125,000 For North Reading Initiatives

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has secured a total of $125,000 in state funding earmarks for North Reading as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 House budget.

Representative Jones successfully advocated for the adoption of three amendments he filed on North Reading’s behalf during the House budget debate that took place from April 25-27. The three funding earmarks include:

• $25,000 for the North Reading Public Schools’ 1:1 Initiative school technology grant;
• $50,000 for the North Reading Fire Department to purchase electronic message boards; and
• $50,000 for renovations to the KidSpot playground

The House action represents preliminary approval of the funding for North Reading. The earmarks must also be approved by the Senate and signed by Governor Charlie Baker before the money can be released to the town.

“I’m pleased to be able to secure these important earmarks in the House budget that will benefit North Reading’s youth and public safety officials,” said Jones. “As the budget process moves forward, I will continue to work on the town’s behalf to advocate for all three earmarks to be retained in the final budget that reaches Governor Baker’s desk.”

The North Reading Public Schools’ 1:1 initiative provides computers to middle and high school students to enhance their learning experience. In previous budget cycles, Jones was able to secure a combined $150,000 in state grant funding for this program. He also secured a $40,000 earmark in last year’s budget to help local schools replace older computers and other electronic devices.

Jones said the procurement of electronic message boards will help the fire department convey important and timely information to the North Reading community, while the funding for KidSpot will help finance improvements at the popular Chestnut Street playground.

The FY23 budget now moves to the Senate, which will release and debate its own spending proposal in May.