Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022 MASS. HOUSE PASSES FY23 BUDGET, MAKES TARGETED INVESTMENTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES Highlights include innovative investments in early education and care, universal school meals, and no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals BOSTON – The Massachusetts House of Representatives on Thursday passed its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget. This budget responsibly responds to the Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 needs of residents and makes targeted investments to support families in the Commonwealth. Funded at $49.73 billion, the House’s FY23 budget continues its strong commitment to cities and towns, and includes signifi - cant investments in health care, education, housing, and workforce development, among other priorities. “The House budget responds to the economic challenges currently facing Massachusetts residents by balancing a focus on immediate needs such as workforce development, with a focus on long-term investments that are designed to grow our economy in a sustainable way,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz for his indispensable guidance, as well as the Committee on Ways and Means and my colleagues in the House for their tireless hard work.” “This budget builds off the successes of the last few years and prioritizes our residents,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (DBoston). “By reinvesting in the people of the Commonwealth we will continue to assist those recovering from this pandemic while making our economy stronger and more equitable for years to come. I want to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership during this budget process, as well as my Vice-Chair Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and the entire membership for their thoughts and guidance over the last few months to make this a more successful and well-rounded budget.” “I want to thank Speaker Mariano, the Chairman of House Ways and Means, Aaron Michlewitz, and his team for their help and support in securing multiple earmarks for the Sixteenth Suff olk District," said Representative Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere). “State funding was so desperately needed by the communities within my district, especially after emerging from the economic damages caused by the pandemic, thus I am proud to announce that I was able to secure the following budget items in the House, which include: over one million dollars for State Police Troop A for directed patrols throughout Revere beach, $50,000 for the Robert J. Haas Health and Wellness Center, $50,000 for the City of Revere’s Food Systems Hub, and $25,000 for an ATV for the Town of Saugus Fire Department. I also want to thank my colleagues, Representatives Turco and Wong for their continued teamwork and support." “This year’s House budget was a win for the people of Winthrop and Revere,” said Representative Jeff rey Rosario Turco (DWinthrop). “With the help of my colleagues, especially Representative Giannino, we were able to secure a number of important budget items, including funding for: the Robert J. Haas Health and Wellness Center in Revere, initiatives to combat domestic violence in Winthrop and child safety programs in both Winthrop and Revere. I would also like to thank Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz for their leadership and guidance throughout the entire process.” The House FY23 budget expands services without raising taxes and is made possible due to strong revenue collections and increased federal reimbursement. Due to responsible fi nancial leadership, the state’s StabiliJEFFREY TURCO State Representative zation Fund is estimated to stand at $6.55 billion. The FY23 House budget includes an unprecedented $912 million to fund early education and care (EEC). Continuing its longstanding commitment to invest in the workforce, the budget includes a $70 million in rate increases for subsidized child care providers across the Commonwealth, representing a $50 million increase over FY22. It also includes a new initiative funded at $10 million to pay for child care for early educators. Following the recommendations issued by the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission, the budget includes language requiring the Department of Early Education and Care to base reimbursement on enrollment rather than attendance. Early education and care funding initiatives include: • $16.5 million for Head Start grants; • $15 million for child care resource and referral agencies; • $10 million for EEC higher education provider opportunities; • $5 million to provide additional navigation support and outreach to families; • $3 million for early childhood mental health grants; and • $1 million for Neighborhood Villages to provide bilingual workforce training, instructional coaching, and COVID-19 testing. The FY23 House budget funds Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) at $1.199 billion and Chapter 70 education funding at $5.988 billion, representing a $494 million increase over the FY22 budget and fully funding the second year of a sixyear implementation plan of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) which was enacted in 2019 to support equitable funding for our most vulnerable students. BUDGET | SEE Page 7
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