MASS HOUSE | FROM Page 7 • $10 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund • $8.3 million for One Stop Career Centers • $6.5 million for School-toCareer Connecting Activities • $3.3 million for Registered Apprenticeship Expansion • $3.1 for Career and Technical Education Grants Energy and Environmental Affairs The House’s budget invests $505.4 million in Energy and Environmental Affairs, including: • $163.4 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation • $85.3 million for the Department of Environmental Protection • $67.2 million for the Department of Agricultural Resources • $63.4 million for the Clean Water Trust The House budget also includes a $25 million transfer to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and $20 million in continued support for Green SchoolWorks program to decarbonize and increase effi ciency in our schools through green energy projects. It also includes a $14 million transfer to the Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund, which was created last year for permanent emergency disaster relief from natural disasters or other catastrophic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, extreme winds, and extreme temperatures. Health and Human Services The House budget includes $22.43 billion for MassHealth, including $13.8 million in primary care rates and $5.3 million in behavioral health investments in outpatient and substance use disorder services. The House budget extends the Health Connector’s ConnectorCare Pilot program from two years to three years and expands its eligibility from 300% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 500% FPL. There were 51,237 people enrolled in ConnectorCare Pilot as of June 2024. The House budget also establishes a nine-member task force to address barriers and impediments to telehealth across state lines which must issue a report to facilitate interstate medical practice and the practice of telemedicine. The House’s FY25 budget THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025 Veterans’ Services Page 9 The Executive Offi ce of Vetinvests in the human services workforce, which provides services to our most vulnerable residents, by including $207 million for Chapter 257 rates for health and human service workers, and $132 million for rate increases for nursing facilities. It also funds the following initiatives: • $12.6 million for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative • $4.9 million in workforce development for funding for nurses through recruitment bonuses, educator funding, and testing • $3.2 million for the Besty Lehman Center for Patient Safety • $29.5 million for Councils on Aging The House budget makes investments controlling the cost of living by lowering food costs and ensuring access to our most vulnerable populations. It includes $55 million for the Emergency Food Assistance program, $20 million for the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program, which provides a dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP recipients purchasing locally grown healthy food, and $8.4 million for the SNAP for low-income workers program. Public Health and Mental Health The House budget funds the Department of Public Health at $1.05 billion and the Department of Mental Health at $1.28 billion for FY26. Investments include: • $194.5 million for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) • $35 for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention • $14.3 million for statewide and community-based suicide prevention • $10.4 million for community health centers, including $1 million for a new gender-affi rming care program • $661.9 million for adult mental health supports • $128.6 million for child and adolescent services • $5 million for DHM loan forgiveness program Instant shade—at the touch of a button. Enjoy more quality time with family and friends. Up to 10-Year Limited Warranty. SAVE$350 TODAY! Call 1-833-626-0576 now to America’s #1 Awning! SAVE $350when you transform your patio into an outdoor oasis. erans’ Services provides educational opportunities, outreach centers and service benefi ts, as well as personal care services through the Veterans’ Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke. The House budget includes the following investments: • $81.8 million for Veterans’ Benefi t Payments • $79.8 million for the Veterans’ Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke • $9.5 million for Veterans’ Outreach Centers • $4 million for Veterans’ Homelessness Services Criminal Justice The House budget continues to invest in programs and policies that uphold our commitment to criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism rates and increasing access to justice and inmate services. It includes the following investments: • $33.7 million for the Offi ce of Community Corrections • $16.1 million for Community Based Reentry Services • $7 million for Emerging Adults Pre-and-Post Release Reentry Grants • $3 million for Housing Assistance for Reentry Transition • $2.75 million for Reentry Workforce Development and Supportive Services • $1.4 million for the School of Reentry • $51 million for Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp. to provide legal services to the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations Jessica Ann Giannino State Representative • $10 million transfer to the Communications Access Trust Fund to provide free phone calls for inmates and their families • $5 million for the Immigration Legal Assistance Fund for non-violent off enders • $3.3 million for Prisoners’ Legal Services • $3 million to implement an access-to-counsel pilot program to provide legal representaJeff rey Rosario Turco State Representative tion for low-income families in eviction proceedings Speaker Mariano and the House Committee on Ways & Means introduced their FY26 budget proposal on April 16, 2025, following a review of the Governor’s proposal and a series of public hearings. The budget passed the House of Representatives 151-6 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. Donate Your Vehicle Call (866) 618-0011 to donate your car, truck, boat, RV, and more today! Support Veteran Nonprofi ts. Free Pickup & Towing. Top Tax Deduction. Donate Your Vehicle Today 866-618-0011 www.veterancardonations.org/dnt122 While we appreciate every donation, in some cases, we fi nd that we are unable to accept certain vehicles, watercraft, and/or recreational vehicles due to the prohibitive costs of acquisition. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (866) 618-0011.
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