Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 24, 2019 ~ Op-Ed ~ House passes balanced budget with targeted investments in education, housing, environment Prioritizes initiatives to strengthen the economy, support vulnerable residents By Representative Paul J. Donato he Massachusetts House of Representatives recently passed its Fiscal Year 2020 T (FY20) budget, which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Funded at $42.7 billion, the House budget makes major investments in education, housing, substance use disorder services, health care, and other areas while projecting a more than $200 million deposit into the Stabilization Fund – bringing the fund’s balance to more than $2.5 billife∙style Your life. How you live it. Whatever you do, you could do it for less with our low rate! MASS BAY LIFESTYLE LOANS as low as 7.80% Easy! *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Monthly principal and interest payment per $1,000.00 borrowed for 30 months at 7.80% APR is $36.80. Rates subject to change without notice. Loan amount up to $30,000. Other rates and terms available. Rate, term and approval amount based on credit worthiness. Terms and conditions apply. Qualification restrictions apply. APR* VACATIONS | WEDDINGS | BIKES | MORE Apply EASY online at massbaycu.org, call 617-269-2700 or just stop by. massbaycu.org (617) 269-2700 183 Main Street, Everett Federally insured by NCUA EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Brother Thomas Puccio, who is the Principal of the School for Boys, received the Plus Ultra Award from Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Donovan. students and helped students along the way, keeping in touch over the years. Some Malden Catholic alumni also received the Sullivan medal as members of the Lancers Against Cancer team raising $250,000 for the Pan Mass Challenge where bicyclists ride across the state. Thomas Finn ’97 said each of the team members are aff ected by cancer personally and want to continue the fight on behalf of his mother, Shirley, and grandmother, Shirley Perrett. One of the team members, Jim Donovan, suff ered from leukemia but now is cancer-free. “We’re getting closer to a * A Delta Dental Premier Provider Dr. Mario Abdennour, Dr. Bhavisha Patel, Dr. Priti Amlani, Dr. Bruce Goldman and team. cure,” Finn said. “But we’ll continue to ride and raise money until it is gone.” Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com. lion to safeguard the future of vital programs and services. The House continues to further its commitment to cities and towns increasing Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) by nearly $30 million and providing $5.1 billion in Chapter 70 education funding as part of a $236 million increase for investments in schools over Fiscal Year 2019. In addition, the budget includes a $16.5 million reserve for low-income students while the Joint Committee on Education continues its work on this issue. It also addresses the need for integrated student health and HONORS | FROM PAGE 5 ginning as a volunteer in 2001. “It’s the great joy of my life and the reason that I get out of bed every morning,” Paquette said. “I didn’t think that I would be in this tier. I’m thrilled and wellness supports, providing $2 million to establish the Supporting Health Alliances Reinforcing Education (SHARE) grant program to address nonacademic barriers to school success. The budget also expands the role of the Offi ce of the Child Advocate to oversee integrated coordination of education and health programming. Additional education allocations include: • $328 million for Circuit Breaker Special Education reimbursement; • $113 million for Charter INVESTMENTS | SEE PAGE 11 quite surprised.” Paquette said that they celebrate together as a high school family various emotions, including love, understanding, commitment, joy and sorrow, adding that she hopes that she instilled some values into her
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