COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133

Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 19, 2018

Senate Passes Budget; Bill Contains Several Key Provisions Supported by Sen. Lovely

(Boston) – Senate Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair Joan Lovely (D-Salem), a member of the six-person conference committee that agreed today on the fiscal year 2019 budget package, announced funding for several initiatives that support key priorities for residents of the North Shore and throughout the Commonwealth.  Lovely voted in favor of the budget, which passed the Senate 36-1 this afternoon.

“This budget backs important projects in the North Shore and helps some of the most vulnerable populations in Massachusetts,” said Senator Lovely. “I am especially pleased that I could help to obtain $795,000 for local projects that will enhance public safety, provide more educational resources, help at-risk youths, and improve access for disabled individuals.”

Specific North Shore projects within the final budget include:

  • $100,000 for Danvers to construct an ADA-compliant fishing platform in Endicott Park;
  • $200,000 for a new police station in Beverly;
  • $20,000 for a Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Beverly;
  • $50,000 for Beverly to repair the carriage house in Lynch Park;
  • $100,000 to reduce the size of the public-school kindergarten class in Peabody;
  • $150,000 for repairs to the Salem Public Library;
  • $75,000 for an elevator in the Topsfield Town Hall to make it ADA-compliant; and
  • $100,000 to renovate an update the Veteran of Foreign Wars building in Salem.

“The eight items for nearly $800,000 in the budget will improve the lives of those who live in, work, and visit the North Shore,” said Senator Lovely. “I appreciate the hard work of my House colleagues Representatives Speliotis, Parisella, Tucker, Walsh, and Hill in advocating for these critical local priorities in the final budget.”

Senator Lovely supported several statewide programs that received funding in the final budget, including:

  • $965,000 for the Home Works program;
  • $1.4 million for youth-at-risk matching grants for the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs and $1.7 million for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs;
  • $100,000 for child sexual abuse prevention programs;
  • $150,000 for the Legislative Task Force on the prevention of child sexual abuse;
  • $25.0 million to help students moving into the adult disability system;
  • $14.9 million for the Children’s Trust Fund;
  • $16.1 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council;
  • $400,000 for the suicide prevention programs of the Samaritans; and
  • $2.4 million for Massachusetts YouthBuild.

“The FY19 budget responsibly allocates resources to those who most need them,” said Senator Lovely. “Thanks to President Chandler, Chairwoman Spilka, and my fellow conferees for supporting programs that help children, and prevent sexual abuse and suicide.”

The budget now goes to the Governor for his review. The Governor may approve or veto the entire budget, veto or reduce specific line items, or submit changes to the budget for additional consideration by the Legislature.

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