Full Committee Hearing Review of the Fy 2019 State Department Budget Request Transcript

With this document, the House Committee on Ways and Means presents its recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) General Appropriations Deed. The Committee's proposal makes targeted investments that assistance the nigh vulnerable among us, while living within the fiscal realities of the Commonwealth. This upkeep is a thoughtful proposal that accounts for dubiousness at the federal level and ensures funding for disquisitional programs and services on which then many people rely.

For the by two fiscal years, country revenue enhancement collections ended more than $400 million below their annual benchmarks, largely occurring in the 2nd half of the year. In the current financial year, the reverse has been true, with a surplus resulting from stronger-than-expected collections, likely caused by federal tax reform. We proceed cautiously with the agreement that the acquirement film remains unclear. The result is a fiscally responsible budget recommending an $88 1000000 eolith into the Stabilization Fund, no new broad-based taxes, and the funding necessary to provide services and investments for our residents.

Our investments in healthcare contain a significant portion of the upkeep. When Massachusetts began healthcare reform in the early 2000s, all stakeholders agreed to the principle that every person should have access to health insurance. Since then, Massachusetts has lived up to that delivery, addressing healthcare in diverse iterations, from Chapter 58 in 2006, to cost-containment efforts in 2012'south Chapter 224 law. These collective efforts have brought health insurance to 97.five% of Massachusetts residents and have served as a model for the rest of the country. We knew health reform would be an ongoing procedure that would need to address complex problems of accessibility, quality, and toll. This budget provides $sixteen.210B for MassHealth then that we can continue our commitment to our most vulnerable, and creates a glide path toward the side by side step in healthcare reform.

The Business firm Means and Means FY2019 budget builds on the potent human relationship between the state and our municipalities, directing $220 1000000 in new local assist over FY2018, including a $37 million increase to Unrestricted General Authorities Assistance (UGGA) and a $125 million increment to Chapter 70 educational activity aid. Within Affiliate 70, nosotros continue advancing the important work of the Foundation Budget Review Commission by allocating $39M of the total Chapter 70 increase to address increasing teacher and faculty healthcare toll assumptions in the formula to more than realistic levels. The proposed FY2019 budget funds the special education excursion breaker at $300 meg, includes $ninety meg for charter schoolhouse reimbursements, and allocates $62.5 million for regional school transportation.

Nether the leadership of Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, Massachusetts has prioritized the field of early education and care (EEC), investing in both access and quality. This budget continues these celebrated investments, including some other $20 million charge per unit reserve for early educators, which will aid to heighten salaries assuasive educational activity providers to recruit and retain high quality staff. This includes $18 one thousand thousand to cover a 5% rate increase for middle-based EEC providers, as well as an increase to the improver rate for Department of Children and Families (DCF) children. Lastly, we create a new $eight.5M EEC workforce development initiative to coordinate professional person development and higher education opportunities for early educators in conjunction with Massachusetts community colleges. Overall, this funding ensures Massachusetts'south youngest residents receive the all-time possible care from experienced teachers during their most formative years.

The Firm remains committed to expanding treatment options and providing resource for those struggling with substance employ and mental health issues. Our investments in Narcan have helped stem the number of overdose-related deaths, but as overdoses in general keep to rising, we must invest in long-term recovery and treatment. Our budget proposes $137.2 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, including $3.5M to open five new recovery centers. Information technology proposes $5 million for Jail Diversion, to straight individuals with substance apply disorder into treatment rather than prison. And, we increment the Department of Mental Wellness upkeep by $97 million to fully fund provider rate increases and focus on treating individuals in their communities.

In order to address e'er-rising housing costs in the Commonwealth, the Business firm FY2019 budget builds on previous investments to support individuals, families, and youth. Since 2013, continued investments in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), and other permanent housing solutions have significantly decreased shelter caseloads and decreased the number of families in hotels and motels to about zero. Recognizing this success, the House allocates an additional $seven.3 million to MRVP and $2 million to RAFT, while creating a new $5 meg line-item aimed at rapid rehousing for homeless individuals.

The Committee's budget makes targeted investments in environmental programs, understanding the role they play in protecting public health and powering the Democracy'south tourism industry. The House Means and Means FY2019 upkeep includes $40 million for State Parks and Recreation, $29 meg for the Department of Environmental Protection, $1.1 one thousand thousand for Watershed Protection, and $850K for the Division of Ecological Restoration. This funding volition permit agencies to rent new inspectors, permit writers, park rangers, and scientists to protect and enhance Massachusetts' air, water, and land. This important environmental investment is capped off with a $2.2 million resource allotment for the Office of Climate Change and Adaptation to protect and prepare Massachusetts for the effects of climate change.

I would like to give thanks all members of the House, including members of the House Committee on Means and Ways, for their input during the budget process. I extend a special thank you to our Vice-Chair, Representative Stephen Kulik of Worthington, and our Assistant Vice-Chair, Representative Elizabeth A. Malia of Boston, for their advice and assistance in creating this budget proposal. We in the House do this work in memory of our late colleague, the Honorable Peter V. Kocot, a model public servant whose legacy to the Republic will not be forgotten.

I look forrard to working closely with all members of the Firm of Representatives in the upcoming fence. I believe that together we will build upon the Commission's work and produce a upkeep that blends our shared priorities for our districts and our visions for Massachusetts.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Sánchez
Chairman

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Source: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2019/HouseWaysMeansBudget

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