Kate's FY17 House Budget Newsletter
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Hello,
As spring comes to Massachusetts, so too does the state budget process for
Fiscal Year 2017. The budget document is lengthy, with a plethora of line items and numbers that make it daunting to decipher, but a budget is always more than the sum of its parts. Our budget is a vision for the Commonwealth, setting forth our priorities for the coming year and aligning our expenditures and investments with those priorities.
The House budget is meant to serve as a blueprint for continued economic growth in Massachusetts, by investing in areas most critical to the government's core functions. The FY17 budget aims to deliver high-quality education to all students, ensure the safety and wellness of our citizens - including our seniors - and encourage economic development throughout the Commonwealth. It seeks to accomplish all of these objectives without an increase in state taxes.
It provides a 4.3% increase in Local Aid and a 2% increase in Chapter 70 education funding, including a guaranteed increase of $55 per pupil in each school district. Building on the Commonwealth's efforts to combat the opioid crisis, the budget also provides critical funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment.
As part of the deliberative process, I successfully championed amendments to the budget that restored state funding to public libraries and to the Department of Fire Safety's Critical Incident Stress Management program. I am also pleased to report that I was able to secure funding for initiatives that will improve public transportation in my region: a pilot program for a Hudson Shuttle, as well as additional van service to enhance the existing Maynard & Acton Shuttle.
I believe this budget balances our commitment to local communities with our ability to think big. It seeks to address large-scale problems, such as the opioid epidemic, with new ways to keep the Commonwealth on track as a national leader in education and health care.
As always, if you have questions about the budget process or specific proposals in this year's House budget, I can be reached at 617-722-2130.
Warm regards,
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FY17 House
Budget Highlights
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The House reaffirmed its commitment to our cities and towns by including record funding to municipalities across the Commonwealth:
- 4.3% increase in unrestricted local aid
Recognizing the critical role of education, the House budget guarantees a minimum increase in Chapter 70 aid of $55 per pupil for every district. In addition, the FY17 House budget provides funding for:
- Regional School Transportation
- Special Education Circuit Breaker
- Turning 22
- Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment
- Head Start Grants
- Community Colleges, State Universities, and UMass
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The FY17 House Budget included my amendments to improve public transportation in Hudson and Maynard. These earmarks will now move to the Senate for passage.
The Hudson Pilot Shuttle Program
This program would provide van service by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (
MWRTA) to the Town of Hudson. MWRTA services currently end in Marlborough; by extending services to Hudson many underserved populations would have access to public transportation in MetroWest for the first time, including reverse and local commuters and low-income families. Extending MWRTA services would connect Hudson to
MBTA commuter rail stations, shopping centers, and medical centers.
Maynard & Acton Shuttle Enhancement
The Towns of Maynard and Acton provide limited transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities through funds from the MBTA and the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (
LRTA) Senior Van Program. My amendment would add route and passenger capacity to the senior van program.
Currently, each town has one van that brings seniors and individuals with disabilities to their appointments in the area; however, the vans are most often used to bring seniors to and from appointments at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Those who need transportation for local appointments, grocery shopping, and to-and-from the Council on Aging are limited to odd time slots or long waits between drop-off and pick-up while the vans are en route to Emerson. Adding additional van service specifically for those medical trips will free up the other vans to provide seniors with the ability to keep their local appointments and maintain their independence.
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As House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health I worked closely with House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey and my colleagues to develop the Public Health budget for FY17.
As we continue to address the abuse of opioids and other substances, which has reached critical levels in the Commonwealth, funding for prevention and treatment services remains vital. The budget provides this critical funding through the following programs and initiatives:
- Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
- Medication-Assisted Treatment Pilot Program
- Community-Based Substance Abuse Services
- Statewide Initiative for Opiate-Dependent Newborns
- Substance Abuse Services Trust Fund
Additional amendments to the Public Health budget include:
- Youth At Risk, to fund our YMCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs
- Comprehensive Family Planning Services
- Early Intervention Services for kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities
I presented the Public Health consolidated amendment to my colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening of Budget Week.
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The spike in infected ticks in the state has caused state health officials to declare Lyme disease an epidemic. Too often, patients with Lyme disease suffer financial hardship when their treatment is not covered by their health insurance.
The FY17 House budget includes an amendment requiring state-provided health care plans in Massachusetts to cover long-term antibiotic therapy for the treatment of Lyme disease - an important first step in increasing access to treatment.
Recognizing how much the disease affects our towns and region, I will also be hosting an informational hearing on Lyme disease this spring. Health professionals from UMass Medical School and the Department of Public Health will be available to speak about current research and prevention.
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As Chair of the Library Caucus I believe that one of the best investments we can make across the Commonwealth is in our libraries. I worked closely with my fellow Caucus members to secure funding for public libraries and important literacy programs.
State Aid to Public Libraries
I successfully passed an amendment to increase state aid for public libraries by an additional $500,000. This funding helps libraries meet the needs of local residents, including keeping libraries open longer, purchasing computers, and running homework centers and job-search workshops.
Massachusetts Center for the Book
Additionally, I passed an amendment to restore $200,000 in funding for the
Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB). MCB sponsors programming that expands our circle of readers and that deepens our understanding of and appreciation for the past, present, and future of the book and of book arts in Massachusetts; it emphasizes the central role libraries play in civic and cultural life.
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Recognizing the changing demographics of our state, the House of Representatives is committed to funding programs that serve the unique needs of our growing senior population.
As Chair of the Elder Caucus I understand how critical these programs are to seniors in my district and across the Commonwealth.
I worked closely with House leadership to increase the formula for local Councils on Aging from $9 per senior to $10 per senior - an increase that will help Councils better connect seniors to programs, services, and activities.
Additional elder programs that received funding:
- Enhanced Home Care Services
- Supportive Senior Housing
- Meals on Wheels
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
I had the opportunity to speak with seniors across the region at the 36th Annual Senior Conference hosted by Sen. Jamie Eldridge.
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The Commonwealth remains committed to supporting the brave men and women who risked their lives for our country. It is crucial to provide education, housing, employment and training, and health and well-being programs for our Veterans upon their return. The House budget provides funding to support the following Veterans' programs:
- Benefit Payments
- Soldier's Homes
- Veterans' Homeless Shelters
- Veterans' Outreach Centers
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Environment and Natural Resources
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From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, and in our own Central Region, Massachusetts is a wonderful place to live, work, and play. As representatives of this state we aim to preserve and protect the Commonwealth's lands and waters, while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and access to parks, beaches, and farms. To this end, the FY17 House Budget supports the following programs:
- Farmland Protection and Farm Viability Advisory Commission
- Climate Change Adaptation and Preparedness
- State Park and Recreation Programs
Community Preservation
Additionally, the FY17 House Budget allows for the transfer of surplus funds at the end of FY16 to the Community Preservation Trust Fund. This fund provides state support to communities that have adopted the
Community Preservation Act - a tool that helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities.
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In fulfilling our responsibility to the Commonwealth's most vulnerable residents, the House of Representatives supplied funding to a wide array of Health and Human Service divisions, such as:
- MassHealth
- Department of Children and Families
- Department of Youth Services
- Department of Mental Health
- Department of Transitional Assistance
- Department of Developmental Service
Specific health and human service initiatives included in the FY17 House budget are:
- Improved access to PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
- Safe and Successful Youth Initiative
- Horizons for Homeless Children's Playspace Program
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Supplier Diversity Program Update
The Commonwealth's
Supplier Diversity Program was established in 2010 to promote public contracting relationships with minority- and women-owned businesses. Governor Baker's administration recently announced three additional categories of business owners who can now receive preferential treatment when competing for contracts to supply Massachusetts agencies with goods and services: Veterans; LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender); and Individuals with Disabilities.
In order for the Commonwealth to determine whether businesses are owned and controlled by individuals that fall into these designations, the Supplier Diversity Office either conducts internal certification investigations or relies on certification investigations conducted by other organizations.
For more information about the program, and to learn how your business can become certified, click
here.
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2016 Memorial Day Ceremonies
Monday, May 30
9 a.m.
Public Safet
y Building
Wattaquadock Hill Road
Parade Route
Quaker Cemetery on Berlin Road
South Cemetery on South Bolton Road
Pan Cemetery on Route 117
West Cemetery on Green Road
Parade End
Memorial Field
Wattaquadock Hill Road
South Street to Broad Street
Main Street to the Rotary to Gold Star Monument
Parade End & Closing Ceremony
War Monuments
Liberty Park/Wood Square
10:30 a.m.
Mill & Main Parking Lot
11 a.m.
Veteran's Memorial Park
24 Summer Street
STOW
2 p.m.
Center School
403 Great Road
Ceremony
Brookside Cemetery
36 Gleasondale Road
Parade End & Closing Ceremony
Randall Library
19 Crescent Street
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Catch up with Kate
District Office Hours
MAY
Stow
19 Crescent Street, Stow
May 17
6-7 p.m.
Bolton
738 Main Street, Bolton
May 26
5:30-6:30 p.m.
JUNE
Maynard
Maynard Public Library
77 Nason Street, Maynard
June 14
6-7 p.m.
Bolton
Bolton Public Library
738 Main Street, Bolton
June 23
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Upcoming Events
SENIOR COFFEE WITH KATE
Ariba Coffee
246 Main Street, Hudson
May 20
3-4 p.m.
LYME DISEASE HEARING
First Parish of Bolton
673 Main Street, Bolton
June 16
6:30-7:30 p.m.
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Environmental Matters
Eversource: Sudbury to Hudson Transmission Reliability Project
Eversource proposed a plan to construct a power line along the abandoned MBTA rail line that runs through the towns of Hudson, Marlborough, Stow, and Sudbury. Recognizing the potential environmental cost of this project, Sen. Eldridge, Rep. Gentile, and I wrote a letter to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Public Utilities expressing our opposition to the proposed plan. You can find the letter
here.
As a result of strong opposition from residents, Eversource has recently informed town officials of their desire to re-evaluate the proposed route. If you would like my office to keep you informed with additional updates, please email
Courtney
in my office.
Kinder Morgan Pipeline Suspended
Texas-based energy company Kinder Morgan has recently announced that it will suspend further work on the Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline due to inadequate commitments from prospective customers. The proposed plan would have run from New York through parts of Massachusetts.
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Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the 6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser for the
Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley. Together we raised $5,000 for the kids!
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Agriculture Day at the State House
The Annual Agriculture Day at the State House took place on April 5, where dozens of Massachusetts farmers showed off their local produce. My predecessor Pat Waltrath (above right) served up fresh, local apple pie with the
4-H youth organization.
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Celebrating the Nashoba Regional HS Chieftans
Sen. Jamie Eldridge and I hosted the Nashoba Regional High School football team and coaching staff at the State House on March 24 to celebrate winning the 2015 Massachusetts Division 2 State Football Championship.
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Bolton Cultural Council Recipients Honored
honoring 2016 grant recipients. I spoke about the importance of arts and culture at the grassroots level and presented citations to the grantees. Pictured above with me is Lisa D'Eon, Outreach Coordinator of the Bolton Council on Aging.
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Local Housing Officials Visit the State House
I recently joined the
Massachusetts Chapter
of NAHRO (National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials) for its 34th Annual Legislative Information Day at the State House. I visited with officials from the Hudson and Maynard Housing Authorities and learned about their legislative and budget priorities.
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On May 4, I had the opportunity to meet with Boy Scouts from Troop 2 Hudson. I spoke about my role in government and the importance of civic duty.
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MetroWest Veterans Consortium
Rep. Dykema and I hosted a meeting of the MetroWest Veterans Consortium in Hudson on March 11. The Consortium was founded in 2012 to bring together leaders in the Veteran community to share experiences and successes and highlight the needs and concerns of Veterans in the MetroWest area. If you are interested in joining the Consortium, please contact
David in Rep. Dykema's office.
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On March 15, I welcomed dozens of students from across the Commonwealth to the State House to celebrate their participation in Letters About Literature, a program that invites young readers in Grades 4 - 12 to write letters to authors about books that have had an impact on them.
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I was proud to host members of the Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol at the State House on April 25 with Rep. Gordon, Rep. Vieira, and Rep. Peake. The Massachusetts Wing Civil Air Patrol performs services for the Commonwealth as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
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Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 15
Join me at Stow's annual SpringFest - a fun-filled weekend celebrating Stow, Spring, and warm weather at last! Find the SpringFest schedule of events
here
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Contact Representative Hogan & Staff
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Beacon Hill Office
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 130
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2130
Courtney Rainey
Chief of Staff
Kelsey Schiller
Communications Director
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District Office
Maynard Town Hall
195 Main Street
Maynard, MA 01754
(978) 897-1333
Karen Freker
District Coordinator
Please call to set up an appointment at the District Office.
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