Progress on Key Investments in the Senate Ways and Means Budget

Earlier this month, I wrote a blogpost about my advocacy for justice in the FY22 Senate Budget as the Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. Recently, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its budget.

After reviewing the Senate Ways and Means proposed budget, I am very pleased to report that there are some significant investments in the legislation, and positive policy changes that will make a difference in the lives of people from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am grateful to Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Michael Rodrigues and his staff, the hard work and diligence of my staff, and impressive organizing and persistence of advocates, grassroots organizations, and progressive activists. A few highlights:

Justice Budget Priorities

As the Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee, it was encouraging to see that many major justice system-related priorities were fully funded. First, the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) received its requested bar advocate rate increase, the first in over ten years! This is a major victory not just for fair pay for hard-working attorneys serving low-income residents of Massachusetts, but for the overall delivery of justice.  Second, Prisoners’ Legal Services was fully funded. Third, the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) also received an increase in funding. Fourth, civil legal aid (MLAC) received a $6 million increase that will enable attorneys to take on more cases regarding low-income housing, domestic violence, and other civil cases, which is even more critical as Massachusetts comes out of the pandemic. 

Anti-Poverty Priorities

Asset Development – When I was elected to the Legislature, I served as Co-chair of the Asset Development Commission. The Asset Development Commission had many critical recommendations, including eliminating asset limits for public benefits. Doing so allows low-income families to build assets to climb their way out of poverty. (It also eases the implementation of matched-savings programs that provide a state match to savings towards a dedicated purpose, such as buying a home, saving for higher education, or starting a business.) I have re-filed legislation to eliminate these asset limits, so it was terrific to see that the Senate Ways and Means budget eliminated asset limits for two cash assistance programs, Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC). Under current law, the EAEDC asset limit is only $250. This program in particular makes it difficult for recipients to save even modest amounts for emergency funds. The more barriers we can eliminate for working families, the more stable they will be.

Housing Priorities

Adequate housing is a right, not a privilege. How much funding we allocate to housing in each year’s budget can make the difference between homelessness and stable shelter for Massachusetts families. Since I chaired the Joint Committee on Housing, I have been proud to champion housing programs including MRVP, AHVP, DMH Rental Subsidies, and Public Housing Authority Subsidies. 

I am proud that the Senate Ways and Means budget provided record funding to our local housing authorities in the form of a $5 million increase. It also provided significant additional funding in the form of a $2 million increase to an important housing program known as the DMH Rental Subsidy program. This program provides integrated mental health services to those in need of subsidized housing, who otherwise would be homeless.  

Education Priorities

During the previous legislative session, I was proud to cast a vote in support of the Student Opportunity Act, which provides equitable funding to schools across Massachusetts over a 7-year phase-in period. Unfortunately, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Student Opportunity Act was left unfunded during the last budget. In the Senate Ways and Means Committee proposed FY22 budget, the Student Opportunity Act received 1/6 of its total funding, putting us only slightly behind schedule despite the havoc caused by COVID-19. 

The Senate budget debate begins! 

The  Senate budget debate began today Tuesday, May 25th at 10 am. There remain many areas of the budget that continue to be underfunded, and the Legislature is still processing how it will invest the nearly $5 billion in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) this year.

Please continue to advocate, and if you are a constituent, be in touch with me by email at James.Eldridge@masenate.gov, I greatly appreciate it! 

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