Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, November 25, 2020 House passes balanced budget with targeted investments in housing, economic development and food security S tate Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian along with her colleagues in the House of Representatives passed a Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget that invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Funded at $46 billion, the House budget aims to address the sweeping effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic by making targeted investments in housing, food security, substance use addiction services and domestic violence, sexual assault treatment and prevention programs. The budget also invests in programs that provide COVID-related supports for students and increases funding for developmental services. “Amid this unprecedented global pandemic, the House passed a budget that helps protect those most vulnerable among us as a result of the widespread effects of COVID-19, with significant investments in housing, substance addiction programs, food security, and economic development,” said House Speaker Robert DeLeo. “I am proud that this budget also furthers the House’s ongoing efforts to help survivors of domestic and sexual assault, safeguard women’s reproductive rights, protect the environment, and support high-quality early education and care. I thank Chair Michlewitz for his thoughtful work, and my colleagues in the House who played a critical role in this process including Vice Chair Garlick and Representative Malia.” “I am grateful to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Michelwitz for their leadership in passing this critical budget,” said Lipper-Garabedian. “The investments we are making in such instrumental aspects of our communities – funding our public education system, addressing housing and food security, supporting labor and economic development, and prioritizing our environment – are essential. I also was proud to vote to remove medically unnecessary barriers to reproductive health care in Massachusetts. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of my colleagues.” “This budget is the product of tireless work over the past few months that focuses on the challenges our constituents face in the midst of this difficult time, while avoiding any drastic cuts, something that was unthinkable back in the Spring,” said State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, who is Chair of the House’s Committee on Ways and Means. “In times of need, people rely on the services that government provides. Vital areas like housing stability, food security, education funding and combating the growing concerns surrounding domestic violence and substance addiction, are all areas we prioritize in this budget. I would like to thank Speaker DeLeo for his guidance during this process, as well as Vice-Chair Garlick, Representative Malia, and all the members of the House for their support during these difficult circumstances.” “I join with my colleagues in passing a state budget that stabilizes our communities and sustains valuable services for Massachusetts to be strong now and resilient in the future,” said State Representative Denise Garlick, who is Vice Chair of the House’s Committee on Ways and Means. “This budget holds true to the promise of education resources and local aid while protecting the hungry, the homeless, and those hurt by illness or economic hardship. We appreciate the leadership, experience and steady hand of Speaker DeLeo, and we are grateful to Chair Michlewitz for his extraordinary engagement in understanding and meeting the needs of our constituents and Commonwealth.” The House continues to further its commitment to cities and towns by investing $1.1 billion in Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) and providing $5.3 billion in Chapter 70 education funding. The GRANTS| FROM PAGE 2 with the additional costs of remote learning. “As an educator, I fully understand the challenges remote learning presents for students and their families,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “I’m proud that Malden could partner with the Executive Office of Education to gain these desperately needed funds to support all of our students and their families as remote learning continues.” “Support is needed during this pandemic for remote learning for both Malden educators and students,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “I am pleased that Malden was able to secure the grants funded by the CARES Act Relief Fund and the Governor’s Emergency EduHouse budget education allocations include: ● $53 million (M) in COVID-related student supports ● $340M for Circuit Breaker Special Education reimbursement ● $117M for Charter School reimbursement ● $82M for Regional School Transportation reimbursement Due to the pandemic, access to safe and affordable housing for many families across the Commonwealth is threatened. The House budget represents its ongoing commitment to housing and homelessness-prevention funding. This year, the House makes targeted investments into rental and housing assistance to combat the eviction crisis by providing: ● $50M for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Program (RAFT) ● $135M for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) ● $80M for public housing subsidies ● $56M for homeless individual shelters ● $13M for homeless student transportation ● $11M for Department of Mental Health Rental Subsidy Program ● $8M for unaccompanied homeless youths Keeping in mind the widespread economic effects of the COVID pandemic, the House makes specific investments in laBUDGET | SEE PAGE 15 cation Relief Fund to assist them at this time.” “As a former seventh grade teacher and a mother of a remote learner, I know just how important it is to have the necessary supports in place for our students to succeed,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “I am glad that these grant funds will provide the students of Malden and their educators with additional resources and opportunities to enhance their educational experience during these unprecedented times.” If you have any questions about the Executive Office of Education’s Remote Learning Support Services Grants or their impact on Malden Public Schools, please contact Representative Ultrino at (617) 722-2460 or Steven.Ultrino@MaHouse.Gov.
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