{"id":909,"date":"2023-03-23T11:26:57","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senatorwaltertimilty.com\/?p=909"},"modified":"2023-04-28T11:29:23","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T15:29:23","slug":"timilty-passes-388-6-million-supplemental-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senatorwaltertimilty.com\/timilty-passes-388-6-million-supplemental-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Timilty Passes $388.6 Million Supplemental Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

Timilty Passes $388.6 Million Supplemental Budget<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bill funds essential services relied on by vulnerable populations,<\/em> the continuation of free school meals, extends COVID-era measures, and authorizes public works bonding to support cities and towns<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

(BOSTON\u201303\/23\/2023) State Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), along with his colleagues in both the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives, passed a $388.6 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23).<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis legislation will fund vital services that support vulnerable populations and address food insecurity,\u201d said Timilty. \u201cMoreover, funding will support those people experiencing or on the verge of experiencing homelessness. In addition, this supplemental budget includes measures for the state\u2019s long-term COVID-19 response and economic development plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

This bill, which was reconciled by both the House and the Senate on March 23rd<\/sup>, invests $388.6 million to address several time-sensitive needs for an array of programs including $130 million for SNAP food assistance benefits to provide a path for families who were receiving enhanced SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, $68 million for the Early Education C3 stabilization grant program, $65 million for the continuation of free school meals, and $45 million for emergency shelter assistance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe security of knowing your child is guaranteed free meals at school not only alleviates the burden of food costs for families, but also ensures that nutritious meals will be available for our children. Providing free meals, it will help our students better concentrate on their academics,\u201d said Timilty. \u201cQuite simply, kids cannot learn on empty stomachs. I am especially pleased that we were able to provide funding to continue school meals for all through the 2023 school year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Notably, the bill, also, extends initiatives first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as outdoor dining, remote public meeting access, and support for assisted living residences. The bill further authorizes $740.3 million in bonding to bolster the Commonwealth\u2019s clean water and other public works projects for cities and towns. In addition, this supplemental budget will support the Commonwealth\u2019s ability to compete for competitive federal grant funds.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy colleagues and I in the State Legislature have taken the necessary steps to keep the economy of the Commonwealth on a firm footing. The passage of this supplemental budget utilizes tax revenues to its fullest, making substantial investments in economic development, housing, education, and social services,\u201d said Timilty.<\/p>\n

Other measures funded in the bill include:<\/p>\n

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