FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 22, 2019
Contact:
Amani Mansour, Communications Director to Chair Kay Khan,
(617) 722-2011, Amani.Mansour@MAhouse.gov
BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Legislature approved the final $43.1 billion budget for FY20 today. The Newton delegation - State Senator Cindy Creem and Representatives Kay Khan and Ruth Balser, all Democrats - proposed several local amendments adopted in the final budget, including: $250,000 for assistive technology and independent-living skills for newly blind adults as provided by the Carroll Center; $20,000 for Historic Newton, Inc.; $25,000 for the Silent Spring Institute to study environmental hazards in water supplies; and $15,000 for Newton at Home to assist seniors.
Several local environmental projects introduced by the Newton legislators were also successful, including: $350,000 for the eradication of invasive water chestnuts in the Charles River Lakes District and other waterways; $50,000 to study improved access to the parkland abutting Quinobequin Road; $50,000 for upgrades to Lyon’s Field; $60,000 for the Charles River Greenway link; $50,000 for the Stone Building at Hemlock Gorge; and $50,000 toward a Crystal Lake master plan.
The overall budget provides substantially more funding for public K-12 education, METCO and special ed.; community colleges and state universities; substance abuse and mental health treatment; housing vouchers; and state parks. And, the budget addresses the high cost of prescription drugs under MassHealth, creates a new fund for struggling nursing homes, and increases the "rainy day fund” to more than $3 billion.
“This budget supports many important local programs,’ said Senator Creem. “I was also pleased my Senate amendment was adopted to increase state matching funds for all Community Preservation communities, including Newton. This adds new money for affordable housing, preserving historic structures, protecting open space and improving recreation areas.”
“I’m pleased that the final budget included many of the priorities of the Newton delegation – including appropriations for local parks, our schools, and public safety,” added Representative Balser.
“I believe that the budget passed for FY20 reflects our mandate to help our residents and communities in need because we chose to invest in everyone,” said Representative Khan.
“We approved crucial funding for environmental programs and many health and human service agencies and providers.”
The final budget now goes to the Governor’s desk, where Governor Baker has 10 days to approve or exercise his line-item veto authority over the budget.