Closes Fiscal Year 2024 with funding for critical statewide programs
(BOSTON—10/24/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate passed a supplemental budget closing out Fiscal Year 2024, fulfilling the state’s obligations to critical programs and services used by residents statewide.
The funding supports treatment for substance and alcohol misuse, public health hospital investments, universal school meals, and targets $12 million for fiscally distressed community health centers, among other investments. Boosting funding for health centers will help provide equitable care in cities and towns across the state.
“As part of our obligation to close out the fiscal year, we reviewed where we have surplus and needs for the various state programs our residents rely on every day,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I was happy to see this budget direct funding to address critical health care needs, like the MassHealth caseload and supporting our community health centers, while also covering needs for school meals, housing protection, workforce development, and substance and alcohol use disorder treatment. I am grateful to my colleagues for their recognition of the importance of funding these necessary programs.”
The bill makes several changes to benefit the state’s veterans, allowing veterans to receive free license plates and clarifying that municipalities can create veteran housing preferences within existing affordable housing frameworks.
It also ratifies several approved collective bargaining agreements.
Housing provisions of the bill will allow the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to fund certified housing development projects that include new construction or substantial rehabilitation of an existing property, and allow for the carryover of the $30 million annual HDIP tax credit authorizations if not fully awarded in a given year. … Read more.