SENATOR DONALD HUMASON JR.
BOSTON – State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) and Senator Don Humason (R-Westfield) announced that yesterday the Massachusetts Senate voted 37-0 to pass a $200.8 million supplemental budget to cover time sensitive deficiencies and unexpected cost increases in Fiscal Year 2014.
“This supplemental budget includes funds to address critical needs in the state’s emergency shelter programs, as well as provide additional funds for snow and ice removal,” Humason said. “The day of the debate a snowstorm gripped much of New England, driving home the importance of that particular appropriation.”
The 4 Republicans pushed for an amendment by Senator Bob Hedlund (R-Weymouth) to increase local aid to cities and towns in the current fiscal year by $20 million because Treasurer Steven Grossman had recently indicated state lottery receipts were over benchmark by the same amount, but the amendment was voted down.
SENATOR BENJAMIN DOWNING
“This supplemental budget is an important bill-paying exercise which addresses several spending deficiencies and time sensitive policy issues,” said Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre), chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I am very pleased that the Senate has passed a bill that makes necessary, mid-year investments while maintaining our disciplined fiscal approach that has served us so well in recent years.”
“The supplemental budget provides much-needed funds to critical services and programs across the Commonwealth, such as our snow and ice removal and heating assistance programs,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “In addition, it will allow the Department of Transportation to pay snow and ice removal bills on time for the next two fiscal years. These are important investments that will contribute to the economic health of our communities as well as the personal well-being of our residents.”
Several of Downing’s priority programs and issues are addressed in the Senate’s supplemental budget, including:
· $15 million to recapitalize the Brownsfield Redevelopment Fund;
· $1.7 million for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and
· Clarification of the statute for fines levied against owners of elevators. This new language requires the Department of Public Safety to inform municipalities, nonprofits and religious organizations of their responsibilities at least 30 days prior to the expiration of an elevator certificate and caps the maximum fine for noncompliance at $10,000.
The supplemental budget also includes a $45.3 million investment to cover shelter contracts for emergency assistance and to pay for the cost of keeping families in motels. This is a critical investment to ensure housing and homelessness prevention resources are available for children and families across the Commonwealth.
This supplemental budget also includes $30 million to cover a portion of over-budget snow and ice costs that the Commonwealth will incur over the course of this winter. This bill also enables MassDOT to pay future snow and ice bills in anticipation of supplemental funding, allowing payments to plow drivers to get out the door faster.
The bill also includes $28.6 million to cover ongoing deficiencies for eleven county sheriffs, and $8 million to cover indigent court costs.
Additional provisions in the supplemental budget include:
· $17.4 million to fund the costs associated with new collective bargaining agreements;
· $16 million to cover the premium costs associated with three communities joining the GIC, which will then be reimbursed by the municipalities;
· $10.7 million to annualize the FY 2013 human service salary reserve in FY 2014;
· $7.9 million to support the Department of Youth Services’ implementation of the Raise the Age legislation;
· $4.8 million to fund the Safe and Successful Youth Program; and,
· $2.8 million to support increased capacity at the Department of Children and Families.
The Senate also adopted amendments related to elevator inspections, required net school spending for public school districts, and Youth At-Risk Summer Jobs.
Earlier in the week the House of Representatives passed a similar spending bill. The two branches will now work out the differences between the two, in order to forward a final supplemental budget to the Governor for his approval.
The Senate is slated to take up the FY 15 budget in May.
