BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved a more than $36 billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
The budget passed at about midnight Wednesday after three days of debate.
The spending plan now moves to the Senate.
House Speaker Rober DeLeo (D-Winthrop) in a statement said the budget was “balanced and fiscally prudent,” but also contained what he called targeted spending increases in certain areas.
“I was proud to join my colleagues tonight to again pass a balanced budget for FY’15,” said DeLeo. “This budget reflects and extends the fiscally-prudent, targeted and inventive initiatives that have led to Massachusetts’ recent economic growth. The House continues to invest in key areas like education and local aid that strengthen towns and businesses and benefit residents. We propose strong measures to care for the state’s most vulnerable residents, including increased oversight and resources for the Department of Children and Families and funding to improve mental health and substance abuse programs.”
During the budget debate, lawmakers added funds for the beleaguered Department of Children and Families to allow for the hiring of more social workers to reduce caseloads, and also added a requirement that all agency social workers must have a state license.
They also added funding for early education, and for fighting substance abuse.
The budget contains no new taxes.
Almost a month into his tenure as State Representative for the 4th Hampden District, John Velis (D-Westfield) has secured funding for projects in the City of Westfield, which makes up his entire district.
“The deadline to ammend the budget was the Friday before my swearing in, but I was able to reach out to (Rep. Harold) Hank Naughton (D-Clinton) who is in my army unit and Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, to file some ammendments on my behalf,” said Velis.
Some of the funding secured by Velis includes a $100,000 advance to Noble Hospital, $50,000 for furnishings, and $15,000 to Westfield On Weekends.
“The $100,000 will go towards doing over the non-emergency entrance at the hospital,” said Velis, who sits on the City of Westfield’s Commission for Citizens with Disabilities. “And the $15,000 will go to stimulate small business in downtown Westfield.”
