(Boston—5/31/23) Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough) announces the successful passage of a $55.9 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) along with a host of amendments he filed and secured during debate of the spending package.  

This Senate’s budget prioritizes upholding fiscal discipline and responsibility, and supports the long-term economic health of the state. The spending package delivers historic levels of investment in education, housing, regional transportation, health care, workforce development, climate preparedness, and much more, while centering equity and opportunity as part of a broader, more comprehensive strategy to make Massachusetts more affordable, inclusive, and competitive.    

“I am proud that the Senate budget represents a diverse and fiscally responsible spending package that mirrors the wide-ranging needs of Massachusetts residents such as providing historic levels of support for education, housing, regional transportation, mental health, workforce development and the climate – all while maintaining the sound fiscal health of the Commonwealth without raising new taxes,” said State Senator Paul Feeney, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  

“To support the specific needs of the Bristol and Norfolk District and Commonwealth at large, I filed 34 amendments to the budget that span a range of policy areas, such as funding to support local non-profits, outdoor recreation, substance use coalitions, local infrastructure projects, public health, workforce training for truck drivers, solutions to the drink-spiking crisis, housing for homeless individuals, and more. Thank you to the many constituents, advocates and Massachusetts residents for making their voices heard through this budget process so far, and I look forward to continuing to uplift the voices and issues at the core of our district and Commonwealth. The state budget represents our collective values as a Commonwealth, and I believe that with this budget we are investing wisely on behalf of the people of Massachusetts,” added Feeney. 

Throughout three long days of debate, beginning on Tuesday, May 23, the Senate reviewed 1,049 amendments with debate stretching into the early evening. The Senate took 31 roll call votes during their three days of debate, and the Senate did not vote to suspend the rules to debate beyond 8pm in the evening. Senator Feeney was successful in passing a majority of his amendments to the spending bill representing both local and statewide spending priorities. The Senate’s version of the FY24 Budget, including Senator Feeney’s amendments, was adopted by a 40 - 0 vote on Thursday, May 25, 2023.  

A conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the versions of the budget passed by the Senate and House of Representatives before the final budget can be sent for the Governor’s signature. All earmarks/amendments are not final until they are included in the final conference committee report that is signed by the Governor.  

Supporting Local Capital Improvement, Organizations, and Priorities  

Senator Feeney’s amendments, if included in the final budget and approved by the Governor, will provide funding for the communities and organizations throughout the Bristol & Norfolk State Senate District, including:  

$25,000 for improvements to the Deborah Sampson Recreational Facility in the town of Sharon. This funding will go towards upgrading the facility’s tennis courts to accommodate their high usage by Sharon residents and surrounding community member. Senator Feeney thanks State Representative Edward R. Philips (D-Sharon) for securing this funding in the House version of the FY24 Budget.   

$25,000 for improvements to the Holden Street Water Recreation Area in the city of Attleboro. The Holden Street Canoe Launch currently consists of a small parking lot off Holden Street, and a pathway to a canoe launch. Over the years, the parking lot guardrail has deteriorated, the parking lot has potholes and undulates, and the vegetation is overgrown. The funding secured in this amendment would help the city rejuvenate this area into a pristine destination for improved access and enjoyment of the Bungay River. 

$15,000 for the feasibility, study, design, improvements, improved connectivity, wayfinding, construction and maintenance of walking, biking and hiking trails in the town of Canton. 

$30,000 for continued PFAS mitigation in the town of North Attleborough. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are highly toxic fluorinated chemicals that leach into our soil, air and water and build up in our bodies over time. 

$25,000 for improvements to the Norton Public Library driveway. The library is highly utilized, and as such requires upgrades to keep up with its high usage.   

$60,000 for Space2Thrive, Inc. to support the Volt Hockey Program and acquisition of adaptive Volt Hockey Wheelchairs and partnership with the Hockomock Area YMCA in North Attleborough and surrounding communities. Volt Hockey is an adaptive sports program catered to serving people living with disabilities who have limited upper and lower body mobility. 

$50,000 to the town of Canton for the Paul Revere Heritage Site. This site has deep historical roots to modern U.S. history and was a strategic location for Paul Revere’s Copper Company, the Revere Copper Company, which was responsible for rolling the copper used for the hull of the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), the dome of the Massachusetts State House, and the boilers of Robert Fulton’ steamships. Senator Feeney thanks State Representative William Galvin (D-Canton) for securing this funding in the House version of the FY24 Budget.         

$50,000 for the Mansfield Downtown Beautification project. Senator Feeney thanks State Representative Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough), Sate Representative Jay Barrows (R-Mansfield) and State Representative Edward R. Philips (D-Sharon) for securing this funding in the House version of the FY24 Budget.     

$80,000 to provide a local match for $400,000 in federal funding secured by Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-4) to study the feasibility and design of regional sewer infrastructure along the Route 1 corridor in Foxborough and other regional municipalities. Senator Feeney has been working closely with Congressman Auchincloss and local partners to explore avenues for this potential project on the state and federal levels.  

$50,000 for Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro for the expansion of a Behavioral Health Unit. This project will include the installation of a 12-bed Behavioral Health Unit within the emergency department to meet the escalating demand for acute behavioral health intervention. Senator Feeney thanks State Representative James Hawkins (D-Attleboro) and State Representative Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) for supporting this initiative in the House. 

$50,000 to the Greater Attleboro Area Council for Children (CAC). The Council for Children is an all-volunteer-run, non-profit organization that raises funds to provide programs and services to children and Massachusetts families. Senator Feeney thanks State Representative Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) and State Representative James Hawkins (D-Attleboro) for securing funding for the Greater Attleboro CAC in the House version of the FY24 Budget. 

$10,000 towards the Canton Italian Language Education Curriculum at Canton High School, sponsored by CIAO, the Cultural Italian American Organization.  

$50,000 to Sisters@Heart, Inc. for the purchase, installation, maintenance, and related costs of publicly accessible automatic external defibrillators in the town of North Attleborough. It is known that the response time from cardiac arrest to when patients receive CPR and administration of an AED is highly correlated to the saving lives. The installation of AEDs in locations where large groups of people gather will maximize their life-saving potential. 

$15,000 to the Vincentian Reentry Organizing Project operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the city of Attleboro that serves incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals throughout Bristol County.  

$15,000 for the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA). The mission of the CAASA is to reduce drug and alcohol use by encouraging healthy decision making and providing resources that address prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery throughout the lifespan. 

$15,000 for the Sharon Substance Prevention and Resource Coalition (SSPARC). SSPARC was established to address ongoing drug and alcohol abuse by working collaboratively to promote and sustain a healthy community, utilizing evidence-based data to enhance education, encourage prevention, and to provide access to resources for all.  

$15,000 for the Norton Opioid Prevention and Education Collaborative N.O.P.E. The mission of N.O.P.E. is to utilize a multidisciplinary approach with community members and leaders to strategically plan for prevention, awareness and education programs to end opioid abuse within the community.  

Drink Spiking Prevention and Awareness 

Amendment #568 “Drink Spiking Tests Bulk Purchase Program and Awareness Campaign” allocates $300,000 to the Department of Public Health (DPH) Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services to develop, research and recommend evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention strategies to address the rising incidence of reported drink spiking in the Commonwealth.  

“Over the last year alone the Commonwealth has seen an alarming increase in the number of reported drink spiking incidents at bars, nightclubs, concert venues and even house parties across the Commonwealth. These incidents are all too common, and we’ve seen countless warnings from law enforcement: use the buddy system, cover your drink, and don’t leave your drink unattended. Yet reports of these incidents persist, and the Commonwealth’s response is still catching up to the onslaught of these reports,” said State Senator Paul Feeney. 

This amendment allocates $150,000 to the Department of Public Health Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services to develop evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention strategies to address the rising incidence of reported drink spiking in the Commonwealth. Specifically, this amendment authorizes the bulk purchase of drink spiking test kits to be distributed at bars, restaurants, and nightlife establishments in the Commonwealth. This amendment also allocates $150,000 for the Department of Public Health’s Division of Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Services to develop and launch a strategic and comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform the public about the prevalence and danger of involuntary drink spiking.   

This amendment passed unanimously on a 39-0 roll call vote, following the Senator’s floor remarks on the topic. Link to Floor Remarks: https://youtu.be/8VT0k9lj0AI.  

National History Day  

Amendment #622 “Massachusetts Historical Society National History Day Program” allocates $100,000 for the National History Day in Massachusetts program, operated by the Massachusetts Historical Society, to sustain and increase access to this program for students and teachers across the Commonwealth. This amendment passed during the Senate debate of the budget.  

“Just a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the National History Day State Contest at Winchester High School – in my colleague Senator Jason Lewis’ District -- to get a first-hand look into the work participating students had been doing all year on their projects. I was truly blown away by the student showcase and the tremendous workload that went into their thoughtful projects. But most importantly, I was taken aback by the passion with which these students described their work as they dove deep into their research and the wealth of knowledge they amassed along the way. This idea of passion-driven learning is at the core of what National History Day is all about, and I am grateful to my colleagues for voting to secure this amendment,” stated Feeney. 

National History Day in Massachusetts is a year-long interdisciplinary program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for students in grades 6 through 12. This program makes history relevant, engaging, and meaningful for students through project-based learning, and allows students to explore topics of their choosing that help make connections between their schoolwork and their own personal and cultural identities, building a sense of community and self-empowerment.    

Permanent Supportive Housing 

Senator Feeney sponsored Amendment #231 “Sponsor-based Permanent Supportive Housing” which provides $8,355,000 in total funding for sponsor-based permanent supportive housing initiatives, including a $3,005,000 earmark to support certain sponsor-based permanent supportive housing units to keep pace with rising rents. This amendment passed during Senate debate of the budget.  

“Let me be clear: the way we have done things for decades of simply and temporarily sheltering homeless individuals doesn't work, is costly, and is inhumane. The idea of offering low-barrier, permanent supportive housing with access to addiction services, physical and behavioral health and other wraparound supports may seem radical at first, but we know that this housing model works and is proven to increase levels of autonomy, choice, effective mental health and addiction recovery outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. Permanent supportive housing is fiscally responsible, more efficient, and simply the right thing to do,” said Feeney. 

In the Sponsor-based Permanent Supportive Housing model, a nonprofit organization holds the lease and then subleases to the tenants. The nonprofit manages the leasing and tenancy issues, and the housing model follows a “Housing First” approach focused on providing stable housing with wraparound support services. Sponsor-based leasing is one way to humanely, and economically, address the homelessness crisis in Massachusetts -- in addition to Senator Feeney’s ongoing efforts to support the development of more permanent “housing first” units. 

The Senate budget also included $6.4 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including $250,000 for homeless LGBTQ youth. Senator Feeney has been an outspoken advocate for Home and Healthy for Good throughout his tenure in the Senate.  

Supporting Commercial Truck Drivers 

Amendment #336 “Accelerating Training Opportunities for Commercial Truck Drivers” allocated $475,000 for the expansion of the Teamsters Local 25 Driver Training Program for the purpose of accelerating the training of commercial truck drivers.  

“Given the overwhelming success of this Driver Training Program, and especially given the persisting need for qualified truck drivers, it is programs like this that we should be supporting to accelerate training opportunities for students. This investment is meeting the moment on our nation’s severe truck driver shortage, and creates good paying, blue collar union jobs that support hundreds of Massachusetts families and businesses in the process and help address our ongoing supply chain shortages. stated Feeney. 

Industry experts have been predicting a serious shortage of well-qualified, safe commercial drivers for nearly a decade now. The shortage of commercial truck drivers is one of the biggest factors contributing to the current supply-chain chaos exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, and it is estimated that the US is down nearly 80,000 truck drivers, causing product shortages, delivering delays, and soaring prices. 

Additional Statewide Budget Highlights from the Final Senate Budget: 

The Senate Ways and Means FY24 budget proposal takes the first step toward implementing the Senate’s Student Opportunity Plan by making high-quality education more accessible and by making record investments to support students across the full breadth of the Commonwealth’s education system, from Massachusetts’ youngest learners to adults re-entering higher education.   

The Committee’s budget – in addition to funding traditional accounts like Chapter 70 education aid – further demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to state-local partnerships, dedicating meaningful resources that touch all regions and meet the needs of communities across the Commonwealth. This includes $1.27 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), an increase of $39.4 million over FY 2023, to support additional resources for cities and towns. 

Other investments supporting cities and towns include: 

• $194 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation systems, including $100 million from Fair Share funds to support our RTAs that help to connect all regions of our Commonwealth 

• $47.3 million for libraries, including $16.7 million for regional library local aid, after an increase of $750,000 through the amendment process, $17.6 million for municipal libraries and $6.2 million for technology and automated resource networks 

• $25 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture and creative economy initiatives 

• $100 million for Massachusetts School Building Authority Capital Supports for cities, towns and school districts experiencing extraordinary school project costs impacted by post-COVID inflationary pressures 

• $100 million in supplemental aid for roads and bridges, half of which will be expended consistent with the Chapter 90 program, while the other half will be spent with a focus on the total mileage of participating municipalities 

• $50 million for Highway Bridge Preservation, to ensure that consistent funds are provided to make sure that critical infrastructure does not fall into disrepair 

• $26.3 million for grants to local Councils on Aging to increase assistance per elder to $14 from $12 in FY 2023 

• $107 million for assistance to local housing authorities 

Recognizing that investments in our early education and care system support the underlying economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth, the Senate’s budget makes a historic $1.5 billion investment in early education and care. This is the largest-ever proposed annual appropriation for early education and care in Massachusetts history. For context, this area of the budget has increased by more than 77 percent (more than $660 million) over the budget from three fiscal years prior. The FY24 budget will maintain operational support for providers, support the early education and care workforce, and prioritize accessibility and affordability throughout our early education and care system. 

Notably, this will be the first fiscal year in which the annual state budget includes a full year of funding for C3 grants, signaling a historic commitment to maintain this crucial lifeline for our early education and care sector. Funded at $475 million, this program, which is open to all early education and care providers, provides monthly payments to programs throughout Massachusetts. These grants, which are received by 88% of early education and care programs in the Commonwealth, have empowered programs to raise salaries, to hire additional staff, to maintain their enrollment levels, and to avoid tuition increases. Without the continuation of these grants, 751 providers (which serve over 15,000 children) have indicated that they would have to close their doors. 

For K-12 education, the Senate commits once again to fully funding and implementing the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by FY 2027, investing $6.59 billion in Chapter 70 funding, an increase of $604 million over FY 2023, as well as doubling minimum Chapter 70 aid from $30 to $60 per pupil. This investment ensures that the state remains on schedule to fully implement the Student Opportunity Act by FY2027 and ensures that all school districts are equipped with the resources to deliver high quality educational opportunities to their students.  

In addition to these record investments in early education and public K-12 education, the Committee’s budget expands pathways to affordable public higher education for all by building capacity for free community college for all students in Fall 2024. Laying the groundwork for this momentous change to make higher education more accessible, the Senate budget includes $275 million for the scholarship reserve, $55 million to accelerate and build up capacity to support free community college across all campuses by fall of 2024, and $40 million for free community college programs for students aged 25 or older and for students pursuing degrees in nursing starting in the fall of 2023, thereby addressing a critical need felt across the state.  

Other notable investments include: 

• $4 million for the Non-Profit Security Grants, including $300,000 to support security personnel at non-profits vulnerable to acts of violence 

• The Senate’s FY24 budget makes a historic $1.05 billion investment in housing, dedicating resources programs that support housing stability, residential assistance, and homelessness assistance 

• $20 million for a Free Community College Program for nursing students as a pilot to support a high-need workforce area and build toward universal free community college in the fall of 2024 

• $190 million for MBTA Capital Investments for critical capital resources for both the subway and commuter rail systems 

• $17.5 million for grants to Head Start programs, which provide crucial early education and child care services to low-income families  

• $503.8 million for the special education circuit breaker 

• $230.3 million for charter school reimbursements 

• $97.1 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs, representing a 90% reimbursement rate 

• $15 million for Early College programs and $12.6 million for the state’s Dual Enrollment initiative, both of which provide high school students with increased opportunities for post-graduate success 

• $2.5 million for the Civics Education Trust Fund, after an increase of $1 million through the amendment process, to promote civics education and civic engagement throughout the Commonwealth 

• $2 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund, continuing our commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide 

• $1 million, adopted through the amendment process, for the Department of Higher Education to support Hunger-Free Campuses for both two- and four-year public institutions of higher education and minority serving institutions  

• $213.3 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services to support these individuals and their families 

• $119.8 million for children’s mental health services, after an increase of $500K through the amendment process for the establishment of Behavioral Health Pilot Program for K-12 Schools 

• $71.2 million for domestic violence prevention services 

• $42.9 million for Early Intervention services, ensuring supports remain accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities 

• $33.8 million for Family Resource Centers to grow and improve the mental health resources and programming available to families 

• $15 million for grants to support local and regional boards of health, continuing our efforts to build upon the successful State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program 

• $12.8 million for Elder Nutrition Meals on Wheels, after an increase of $1 million through the amendment process 

• $5 million for Children Advocacy Centers to improve the critical supports available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused 

• The Senate remains committed to continuing an equitable recovery, expanding opportunity, and supporting the state’s long-term economic health. To that end, the Committee’s budget includes a record investment in the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing $450 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year 

• $15.4 million for Career Technical Institutes to increase our skilled worker population and provide residents access to career technical training opportunities 

• $5.8 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to trainings and post-secondary opportunities in the industry sector with a focus on STEM fields 

• $600,000 through the amendment process for the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative, which will provide municipalities with technical assistance to promote compact, walkable downtowns that have a vibrant mix of commercial and residential uses, cultural and recreational amenities, and access to public transportation 

The FY24 Senate Budget will soon be available on the Massachusetts legislature’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2024/SenateBudget.﷟HYPERLINK"https://malegislature.gov/Budget/" 

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