Senator Eldridge Highlights Senate Victories in FY25 Budget
Victories include free community college, universal schools, and childcare affordability
Boston - On Thursday, May 23, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) voted to pass the Senate Ways and Means Committee's $57.999 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Following robust debate, the Senate added $89.6 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities benefiting communities across the Commonwealth. “Despite lower revenue for the FY25 budget, I am grateful to Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Michael Rodriges for his strong support of increasing key investments in our communities, protecting the social safety net, and expanding state programs. I was proud to successfully fight for increases in housing, education, environmental protection, anti-poverty, and judiciary accounts. However, as an opponent of tax breaks for the rich, I continue to be concerned how elected officials lowering state revenue will lead to cuts that will harm vulnerable populations and working families,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge.
The final Senate budget included:
Free community college: The FY25 budget allocates $117.5 million for free community college across Massachusetts, covering tuition and fees for residents.
Universal School Meals: $170 million is allocated for Universal School Meals.
Childcare affordability: $80 million is earmarked to expand income-eligible childcare to families who make 85% of the state median income.
Reimbursement for regional transportation costs: $99.4 million is provided to reimburse school districts for regional transportation costs.
Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs): $214 million is allocated for RTAs, with $120 million from Fair Share funds for Regional Transit Funding Grants. These grants can be used for projects such as implementing fare-free transit services and supporting expanded mobility options.
Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA): The Senate approved $1.3 billion in funding for UGGA to support cities and towns, representing a $38 million increase from FY24.
The Senate also approved many investments in education. Most notably, the FY25 budget enshrines free community college into law by allocating $117.5 million for free community college across Massachusetts. These funds will cover tuition and fees for residents and will increase access to higher education for people who previously could not pursue these opportunities. Other education investments include $170 million for Universal School Meals and $80 million for childcare affordability, which expands income-eligible childcare to families who make 85% of the state median income, and $99.4 million to reimburse school districts for regional transportation costs.
To support regional public transportation systems, the Senate allocated $214 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs). Within the $214 million budget, $120 million is allocated from Fair Share funds to provide Regional Transit Funding Grants for RTAs that serve the commonwealth. RTAs can use these funds for projects such as implementing fare-free transit services and supporting expanded mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities.
To strengthen the Senate’s commitment to building partnerships between the state and municipalities, the Senate also approved $1.3 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) to support cities and towns with the resources they need for their communities. The UGGA funding for FY25 represents a $38 million increase from FY24.
As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Senator Eldridge championed significant increases for critical justice system line items, advocated for amendments to address housing development and municipal planning, and secured additional funding for environmental protection and conservation departments, including:
$35,000,000 for CPCS Court Costs and Experts: This marks a nearly 5 million dollar increase from FY24. This increase is crucial in ensuring a fair and efficient trial process and will allow for an increase in the number of social workers, investigators, and forensic experts that the Committee for Public Council Services can contract with to support clients of all income levels.
$55,000,000 to be given to Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp (MLAC): Legal aid organizations provide essential services to individuals across the state regarding matters ranging from housing law to domestic safety and employment disputes. Currently, only 50% of qualified applicants receive legal representation from MLAC due to a lack of resources to maintain, support, and expand staffing at the 16 locations across the state.
$112,000,000 be allocated for Public Housing Operating Subsidies: This effort was reflected in the Senate Ways and Means budget, which increased the budget beyond Senator Eldridge's request to $115,000,000. This increase is meant to close the funding gap from past years and continue preserving and protecting our state's public housing stock, which is relied upon by families trying to make ends meet.
Championing the continuation of Capital Grants for Disabled Housing for $2,500,000: Finding accessible and affordable housing in the current market is extremely challenging, putting our most vulnerable residents at higher risk of homelessness and poor health. The only way the situation can improve is if new units are added or renovated to meet the needs of our residents. These capital grants will fund the construction of disabled housing.
$109,984,560 allocated to the Department of Conservation and Recreation: Senator Eldridge is committed to advocating for this green budget line item to safeguard our natural resources and assist the department in recovering from nearly two decades of underfunding. This funding will support essential projects that maintain the pristine condition of our public land.
$54,555,482 to be put to use with the Department of Environmental Protection: By increasing funding, the department can continue running programs that help us reach our climate goals and counteract the harmful effects of practices that pollute the air and water, while also reducing soil waste and preserving our wetlands. Additionally, the increase would allow for the hiring of new staff to focus on PFAS testing in sewage discharge, further protecting public health.
These priorities reflect initiatives and programs designed to address community concerns and foster a more affordable, equitable, and competitive Commonwealth.
For statewide programs, Senate Eldridge was also proud to secure the following increases in the Senate budget during the debate process:
$150,000 for the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center: The Massachusetts Fair Housing Center (MFHC) is the oldest fair housing center in Massachusetts. It accepts over 300 housing discrimination cases per year and provides free legal advice for clients. Funding for the MFHC supports legal protections for victims of domestic abuse, rental assistance recipients, and LGBTQ+ individuals. As there is currently no funding available to support clients who are protected from discrimination only under state law, this line item is an important step to protect all Massachusetts residents from housing discrimination.
$100,000 for MassDEP Private Wells Study: This funding will allow the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to conduct a study on contaminants in private wells. Based on the study, MassDEP will make recommendations for a program that protects private wells from contaminants such as arsenic, E. coli, and PFAS. As 500,000 residents in Massachusetts rely on private wells for their drinking water, creating access to safe drinking water is a key environmental and public health issue for the Commonwealth.
Technical Fix for GAP Funding: The Grant Assistance Program (GAP) empowers cities and towns across the Commonwealth to combat climate change. The technical fix in Amendment #846 allows Regional Planning Agencies to assist cities and towns with state and federal grant applications. Including state grants ensures that smaller communities in Massachusetts will be able to complete planning studies so that they can secure more funding for climate readiness initiatives.
$100,000 for DOC for re-entry support: This line item would support bonding requirements by employers who hire recently released incarcerated individuals as they transition back to residential life. Studies have shown that stable employment can lower recidivism rates and increase public safety.
For district, Senate Eldridge was also proud to secure the following increases in the Senate budget during the debate process:
$300,000 to Acton Food Pantry: The Acton Food Pantry will be moving to a town-owned building, which requires substantial renovation. After the improvements, patrons will select food in a store-like environment instead of waiting in a car line. This change creates many benefits. For example, it reduces car idling. It also provides a dignified experience for patrons. This is an important earmark for reducing hunger in the Acton area community.
$100,000 to World Farmers: World Farmers is a special organization. It provides farming opportunities for immigrant farmers to restart their careers in agriculture. The funding from this earmark will help World Farmers expand in two towns in the district, Littleton and Harvard. The funds will be used to prepare the land for agricultural use.
$50,000 to MassEnergize: These funds will help support and expand the work of the group MassEnergize for climate resilience and clean energy programs in the communities of the Metrowest region.
$50,000 to Wayland Community Pool: The Wayland Community Pool is a non-profit facility that residents and non-residents of Wayland can use for swimming. This funding will help renovate the pool, which includes building a catwalk and securing a new bubble. The pool is funded entirely through generous donations, so this support is essential to keep the facility running.
The final FY25 Senate budget will be available on the Senate budget website.
A conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the budget versions passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.
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