Day Announces Increased Funding for Stoneham in House Budget

A release from the office of State Representative Michael Day:

BOSTON, MA – State Representative Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham) announced Monday that he successfully secured increase appropriations in the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) State Budget for the town of Stoneham. Representative Day won approval of a direct appropriation of $50,000 to improve accessibility of the Stoneham Public Library. Additionally, Representative Day Secured and increase of $600,000 to the existing $4,000,000 appropriation allotted to Zoo New England, the non-profit corporation that manages the Stone Zoo.

Augmenting these specific appropriations, Representative Day secured increases in the amount of local aid funding appropriated to Stoneham, including $4,384,569 in Chapter 70 education funding and $3,842,756 in unrestricted local aid that the town can utilize for its own purposes. “I am happy with the work we have done in the House budget, particularly with the direct assistance coming back to Stoneham,” said Representative Day. “I am committed to providing our town with increased state assistance and financial stability and I appreciate the willingness of my colleagues in both parties to work with me towards that goal.”

Representative Day also carried an amendment providing $1,200,000 in funding for the student awareness fire education (SAFE) program, which is a state-wide initiative enabling local firefighters to visit school children in their classrooms and teach them about fire safety.

“Stoneham, in particular, has benefited in this program in the past, and I was happy to restore this funding so that the program can continue into the future” continued Representative Day. “I sincerely thank my colleagues in the House for supporting my amendments. These funds will enable our town to continue revitalizing our center and improving our community as a whole.”

The House and Representative Day maintained its commitment to fighting the opioid crisis and increasing mental health services as well. The House budget increases funding for the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and specifically DMH’s Adult Community Clinical Services Investments and Crisis Intervention/Jail Diversion Grant Program.

“I voted for this budget because we were able to limit our overall spending while still devoting increased
resources necessary to fund essential government services,” said Day. “The House budget continues to keep Massachusetts on firm financial footing without asking our taxpayers to do more than they already are.”

The FY19 budget, totaling $41.065 billion, now moves to the Senate for its recommendations and approval. Once the Senate passes its budget, the two chambers will reconcile any differences before sending a final budget to the Governor.