Representative Madaro Votes for House Budget, including $220,000 in New Funding for Eastie

BOSTON – State Representative Adrian Madaro joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass its FY16 budget. The budget included $220,000 in new funding that Madaro pushed for that improves public safety at Constitution Beach, increases resources to address substance abuse in East Boston, and supports Project Bread’s local farming initiative.

The $38.05 billion spending bill highlights the House’s ongoing commitment to fiscal prudence and targeted investments, a practice that has resulted in Massachusetts retaining its AA+ bond rating, the highest in the state’s history. The budget includes no new taxes or fees and reduces its reliance on one time revenue sources. For the first time since 2007, it does not withdraw any funds from the Commonwealth’s stabilization fund, leaving the balance in excess of $1 billion.

"This budget maintains fiscal discipline while investing in the programs and services that matter most to our constituents," said Madaro. "The House budget tackles the Commonwealth’s immediate challenges like opiate addiction and homelessness while investing in our future by providing significant new resources to early education, school aid, and economic development. I thank Speaker DeLeo for his leadership throughout this process.

"The House of Representative’s budget demonstrates that through fiscal prudence and thoughtful investments we can achieve sustainable economic growth and set the standard for aiding citizens facing adversity," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). "As in the past, we have had the foresight to take immediate action on issues like transportation reform and local aid funding, while laying the foundation for long-term excellence through early education and care and workforce development. I am particularly proud of our focus on behavioral health which emphasizes the need to consider prevention, access and recovery. I thank Chairman Dempsey and the members of the House for their outstanding work on this budget."

The budget included several of Representative Madaro’s own amendments that help East Boston, including $75,000 for an additional substance abuse counselor at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. $25,000 for State Police to patrol Constitution Beach was also included as well as $120,000 to support Project Bread and the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, which takes locally grown fruits and vegetables and distributes them to low income families in East Boston and beyond.

The budget takes immediate steps to address systemic management problems at the MBTA, calling for an independent audit of the T’s maintenance protocols and fiscal liabilities. It also strengthens the Inspector General’s internal special unit to monitor the quality, efficiency and integrity of the department's operating and capital programs. These updates follow the two transportation reform plans accompanied by major funding increases the House has passed since 2009.

Further distinguishing Massachusetts as a national leader in education, this legislation makes targeted investments in early education and care (EEC) that underscore the House’s ongoing commitment to the Commonwealth’s youngest students. The budget creates a framework to support expanded access to high-quality EEC programming while recognizing the efforts of our EEC workforce.

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