SENATOR MICHAEL R. KNAPIK
BOSTON – Yesterday at the State House the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its proposal for spending in Fiscal Year 2014. Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield), the ranking Republican member of the committee, attended the committee’s executive session. Chairman Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) outlined highlights of the proposal, which he noted will have a positive impact on the Commonwealth’s citizens while exercising a level of restraint required in this period of slow economic growth.
Knapik praised his fellow committee members and committee staff for their work and success in crafting a budget that is thoughtful, responsible, and effective in addressing the State’s most vulnerable residents and returning to core priorities.
Knapik did voice some concerns over rising healthcare cost, particularly as a result of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the instability of tax revenues, and the growing need for reforms to the State’s public assistance programs.
“I commend the chairman and his staff for their balanced approach to this year’s budget,” said Knapik. “We are in the 4th year of the economic recovery, and by all economic indicators our economy remains fragile. I am happy this budget recognizes that. However, I know many share my concerns over the rising cost of healthcare and OPEB liabilities, and problems with program integrity like at the State’s Department of Transitional Assistance.”
The total appropriation in the Senate Ways and Means proposal is $33.92 billion, an increase of 1.428 billion, or 4.4 percent over FY 13. This amount is about $67.5 million less than the FY 14 House proposal and $904.3 million less than the Governor’s H1 proposal.
Fiscal Year 2014 marks the sixth budget since the start of the great recession in 2008, and while the Commonwealth is in a better fiscal position, the state still faces a $1.29 billion budget gap this fiscal year. The Committee proposal closes the gap with $430 million in new revenues allocated in the recent transportation bond bill, a $350 million withdrawal from the Rainy Day Fund, and $277 million in other one-time spending solutions, including $83 million in anticipated gaming revenues.
The Senate continues its commitment to local aid by increasing Chapter 70 funding to $4.301 billion, $130.1 million higher than FY 13. This level ensures all districts reach their foundation budget and receive at least an additional $25 per pupil more than in FY 13. The proposal also includes $252.8 million to fully fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker, a $10.9 million increase over FY 13 and a $39.1 million increase of FY 12, $49.5 million for Regional School Transportation, and increase of $5 million over FY 2013 and $76.4 million for Charter School Reimbursements.
“Ensuring cities and towns have adequate funds to provide the best education they can for the Commonwealth’s youth is so important to our long-term vitality as a state,” Knapik said. “These investments we make today will certainly pay off in the future.”
In addition to the increase in local school aid, the Senate plan allocated $15 million for the Commonwealth’s Pre-School Initiative which, when combined with the increase of $20 million in FY 13, will move more than 2,000 families off the current waitlist.
Overall, state and community colleges will see steady increases in this proposal. Holyoke Community College is funded at $17,388,801, $1,314,207 higher than in Fiscal Year 2013. Westfield State University is slated to receive $22,696,838 which reflects a $2,557,193 increase over last year. Similarly, the University of Massachusetts system will receive $454,818,314, which is $36,710,561 more than last year.
The Senate’s plan includes $72.4 million to support various economic and workforce development initiatives, including $8 million for Youth-at-Risk Summer Jobs, $4.49 million for One Stop Career Centers, and $15 million for a new Advanced Manufacturing Futures Program.
Housing stability is a hallmark piece of the Senate plan this year. The spending bill allocates $15.5 million in new funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), which will provide more than 1,000 new housing vouchers for low-income families. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program receives a $2.3 million increase to help more than 3,000 families maintain housing. These programs will support the Administration’s plan to get families out of Hotels and in to stable housing. Hotels and motels are home to more than 1,200 families across the state, 250 of which reside in Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield. The Patrick Administration has set July 1, 2014 as their goal to eliminate the hotel/motel program.
“By targeting these investments away from the flawed Emergency Assistance Hotel shelter program, and directing them to viable and proven programs, we are truly supporting the housing needs of those most vulnerable families,” Knapik said. “This is a win-win for all involved and I commend the Committee for their support of this important matter.”
Elder services will see a big boost under the Senate plan, which provides $10.5 million for Grants to Councils on Aging to support an increase of a dollar per day per elder. The Senate budget also allocates $187.2 million to fully fund elder home care programs and an increase of $6.2 million from FY 13 to eliminate the current waitlist of 1,500 seniors.
In the area of Health and Human Services, the proposed budget does much to support the Commonwealth’s efforts in the fields of public health, mental health, and social services. Of particular note is a $5 million for the Clubhouse Coalition’s network of mental health and rehabilitation centers, including the Forum House in Westfield, $4 million in new funding for substance abuse programs, and full funding of the turning 22 program.
Public safety also plays an important role in the Senate’s spending plan for the coming year. $6.25 million has been provided for the anti-gang violence Shannon grants, part of which has historically been provided to Chicopee and Holyoke. Along the same lines, $6.25 million is provided for the Gang Prevention Grant Program and $4 million for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative, which has funded efforts in Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield. The proposal also includes $3.9 million for a new State Police Recruit Class.
Finally, the intention to support veterans was quite clear in the Committee’s budget proposal. The bill includes a 5 percent increase to the Veterans Outreach Centers and Veterans Homeless Shelters, $125,000 for the Train Vets to Treat Vets program, which assists returning veterans in becoming behavior health counselors and addresses the workforce development and mental health needs of veterans throughout Massachusetts, and a new funding source to provide grants to municipalities to restore and rehabilitate their War Memorials.
Locally, many valuable community programs are well funded under the Senate plan. The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke is slated to receive $20,920,146, an increase of 367,156, and the Home’s retained revenue caps were either maintained or increased based on need.
Western Mass Hospital would receive $17,736,047 in FY 14, an increase of 654,376. The Hospital also received over $2.9 million in a new line item to support the re-opening of 22 beds in the 5th medical unit.
“This is great news for Western Mass Hospital and for our region,” Knapik said. “As the only public health hospital in Western Massachusetts, this boost will assist them in their mission to serve as a medical safety net for many uninsured and underinsured citizens,” Knapik concluded.
Additionally, the budget includes:
• $69,006,704 for the Hampden County Sheriffs’ Department, an increase of $3,222,226 over FY 13,
• $12,704,658 for the Hampshire County Sheriffs’ Department, and increase of $767,570 from FY 13,
• $8,447,444 for the Hampden District Attorney’s office, and increase of $43,000 over the FY 13 appropriation,
• $5,262,902 for the Hampshire/Franklin District Attorney’s office, and increase of $30,000 over FY 2013,
• $10 million to forward fund the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
• $850,000 for the Regional Economic Development Councils,
• $2,920,146 for the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs,
• $9,231,475 in local aid to Regional Libraries,
• And $6,000,000 for Local Tourism Councils.
Members of the Senate will debate the budget and proposed amendments beginning on May 22. After the debate, a conference committee will be appointed to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget before it is sent to the governor for approval.
