Reps Stanley and Lawn pass Fiscal Year 2019 Supplemental Budget

Oct. 17, 2019 – BOSTON – The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a supplemental budget allowing the Commonwealth to increase the balance of its “Rainy Day Fund” to $3.2 billion, invest in local infrastructure projects, and fight the opioid crisis.

“This budget not only strengthens the Commonwealth’s long-term fiscal outlook, but invests in services that our constituents rely upon,” said Representative Tom Stanley (D-Waltham). “I’m particularly thrilled the House was able to secure an additional $2 million for homeless school transportation. This is a big expense for Waltham Public Schools as the City is the only municipality in the Commonwealth that is currently home to a hotel used for emergency housing.”

“The funds that we are putting into Education, Transportation, Housing, and into the stabilization fund will go a long way to improve the lives of all the residents of the Commonwealth,” said Representative John lawn (D – Watertown). “The supplemental budget reaffirms the House’s strong partnership with cities and towns by providing $60 million to invest in local roads and bridges projects and advances the House’s commitment to clean energy by including a $32 million investment in the state’s electric vehicle rebate program.”

In order to further fortify Massachusetts’ financial resiliency, the Legislature dedicated $400 million to the Commonwealth’s stabilization fund, bringing the Rainy Day Fund’s total balance to an unprecedented $3.2 billion, the first time the fund has reached that amount in its history.

As part of the House’s priority to protect the environment, the supplemental budget makes a $24 million investment for the testing of potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of water supplies and for grants to support treatment and remediation of affected public drinking water systems, and $35 million for the Clean Water Trust Fund.

In addition, the supplemental budget:

• Recognizes the need for increased investment in the MBTA by providing $50 million for additional staffing and contract costs to support capital project delivery, inspection and maintenance activities, and service diversions necessary to accelerate capital projects;
• Works to support the Commonwealth’s public higher education institutions by investing $20 million in a program that encourages private fundraising with matching state dollars;
• Keeps with the House’s priority to promote gun safety by including $10 million for gun violence prevention programs;
• Supports low-income households at the risk of eviction or facing foreclosure by investing $7 million for a rental and mortgage arrearage assistance pilot program;
• Continues the House’s leadership on the Commonwealth’s early education efforts by including $3 million for grants for early educator scholarships for school paraprofessionals;
• Support the House’s priority of supporting Massachusetts’ most vulnerable youth by investing $5 million in a program to expand access for students to community-based mental and behavioral health services in schools; and
• Includes $10 million reserve for salary increases for home health aides and personnel providing homemaker and personal care homemaker services.

The supplemental budget will now go to the Senate.