HOUSE PASSES BALANCED FY'15 BUDGET

Boston– Representative Benson joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing a balanced FY’15 budget focused on economic growth and increased government accountability and oversight.

The $36.32 billion proposal emphasizes the importance of enhanced fiscal predictability and sustainable investments without assuming the availability of federal funding, a practice that has raised Massachusetts bond rating to AA+, the highest in the state’s history. Building on its responsible yet proactive approach to combatting the recession, the budget contains multiple measures to generate revenue, achieve sustainable economic growth and create jobs.

“Although I was not able to be present for the House FY’15 budget debates, I knew, through the Joint Resolution passed in March, that the budget would include essential increases in Chapter 70 funding, and local aid; which allowed municipalities and school districts to plan their FY’15 budgets accordingly,” said Representative Benson (D-Lunenburg). “This budget demonstrates the House’s continued commitment to fiscal responsibility while continuing to improve relationships with cities and towns, and providing resources to residents. Through this budget the House continues addressing the issues the Commonwealth faces, by not only including resources for areas such as, substance abuse programs, elders, and the Department of Children and Families, but also invests in education, libraries, travel and tourism, and businesses.”

Local Aid

In February, local aid was one of Representative Benson’s top priorities in her letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Dempsey.  In March, the House and Senate adopted a Joint Local Aid Resolution, which includes a $25.5 million increase to Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA).  This budget enhances the Commonwealth’s partnerships with municipalities by boosting local aid.

Education

As a previous School Committee member, Chapter 70 funding, in particular, is always a top priority for Representative Benson. Representative Benson wanted to ensure increased Chapter 70 funding for FY’15 to support school district’s projected costs. Through the Joint Resolution, in March, the House and Senate successfully secured a $100 million increase to Chapter 70 education funding.

As the 37th Middlesex District has multiple regional school districts, Representative Benson was able to successfully secure $280,000 in Regional Bonus aid in the House FY’15 budget.

Representative Benson, as co-chair of the Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Coordinating Council (ASOST), advocated for an increase in funding for the Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Quality (ASOST-Q) Grant. The House budget appropriates $1,710,000 in funding for the ASOST-Q Grant, a $300,000 increase over the HWM appropriation.  The grant provides 63 public school districts, non-public school districts, and community based organizations, across Massachusetts, funding to support program enhancements and provide high quality academic and non-academic programming for approximately 12,000 students in K-12 during the school year and summer. 

Additionally, Representative Benson cosponsored amendments for the Regional Stabilization Fund, the Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Study Commission, Regional School Transportation, and Higher Education for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Charter School Reimbursements for cities and towns.

Among the Representative’s educational priorities was also funding for circuit breaker special education, child care for families, DESE programs, such as the financial literacy program, and higher education.  The House budget increases funding to state universities, community colleges and invests in the UMass system, enabling it to continue to work towards the goal of freezing tuition and fees. This spending package also funds a competitive grant program for Adult College Transition Services to help low-income workers succeed in college programs.

Libraries

Representative Benson co-sponsored a variety of library amendments, such as State Aid to Public Libraries, and Massachusetts Center for the Book. The Education and Local Aid consolidated amendment appropriates $9,805,978 in State Aid to Regional Public Libraries, a $82,000 increase over the HWM appropriation.

Additionally, the consolidated amendment created a new line item and appropriates $125,000 for the Massachusetts Center for the Book, an organization that develops, supports and promotes programming for libraries statewide.

Elder Affairs

The House included Representative Benson’s amendment in the elder affairs consolidated, which will fund the Personal Needs Allowance at the full amount of $72.80.  Each year Representative Benson files this amendment on behalf of the nursing home community.

Representative Benson also advocated for a variety of elder affairs line items, including the Meals on Wheels Program, Maintaining High quality Services in Nursing Homes, Homecare Programs, among others.

Other Areas

The House budget also includes $2 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership that will benefit a program designed to assist small and mid-sized manufacturers, establishes a two month tax amnesty program that would allow for waived penalties under the MA Department of Revenue, and funding for the Department of Mental Health.

In response to the recent issue within the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the House budget increased the appropriation for DCF by approximately $46 million, including a number of management, personnel and service initiatives.

Although not present for the budget discussions, Representative Benson was able to successfully express her top priorities to Speaker Robert DeLeo, and House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey.

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