🖋️ #FY20BudgetMA: Investing in schools, communities and more
Read the Baker-Polito Administration’s “Corner Office Connect” update for August 2019.
Governor signs fiscally responsible FY20 budget, investing more in schools, communities and other priorities
Late last month, Governor Baker signed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, investing in a range of priorities that support the Commonwealth’s families, communities and small businesses. The budget builds on the Baker-Polito Administration’s support for Massachusetts’ local public schools by increasing Chapter 70 investment by $268 million to $5.2 billion, meaning the administration has boosted local school funding by over $750 million since taking office. The budget also invests $1.1 billion in local aid and $246 million across state agencies to combat substance misuse.
The FY20 budget makes these crucial investments while delivering on fiscal responsibility. Following a recent deposit that brought the rainy day fund to $2.8 billion, the FY20 budget anticipates a further $476 million net increase, estimated to bring the balance to nearly $3.3 billion by the end of FY20 — triple the balance when the administration took office. The budget also supports a further drop in the income tax rate to 5%, the third since 2015, returning approximately $90 million to taxpayers in FY20.
Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and their team will continue to work with legislators and key stakeholders to deliver responsible budgeting that invests in important priorities.
New Orange Line cars another key step in ongoing MBTA capacity, reliability improvements
The administration continues to prioritize efforts to build a more reliable MBTA. Last week, Governor Baker joined transportation officials at Wellington Station to mark the introduction of six new Orange Line cars into service. These cars — assembled in Springfield — are the first of hundreds that will enter service over the coming years and are another key step in ongoing upgrades that will boost capacity and improve reliability across the system.
The administration’s 5-year, $8 billion capital improvement plan makes critical, long-neglected investments in signals, switches and tracks. Finally delivering these upgrades, which had been deferred for decades, will result in real improvements for riders. There is much more left to do, and the administration remains committed to executing this important investment plan to deliver the kind of transit system the Commonwealth deserves.
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“Introducing the first of the new Orange Line cars into service is an important milestone in our administration’s work to deliver a modern, reliable, and safe transportation system for riders.” -Governor Baker
Governor Baker joins transportation officials to mark the introduction of the MBTA’s new zero-emissions bus prototypes at the Southampton Street Garage in Boston
Working with community organizations to promote safe, healthy relationships for young adults
As part of her ongoing work as chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Lt. Governor Polito has been spending time in communities across Massachusetts to promote the administration’s “RESPECTfully” public awareness campaign. The campaign is the first in over 20 years designed to promote safe and healthy relationships.
The campaign is specifically geared toward young people and teenagers. The Lt. Governor is joining state and local partners to promote the campaign by meeting with students at community organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs. As the autumn approaches, the Lt. Governor will lead the administration’s efforts to expand the campaign’s programming into the Commonwealth’s local public schools.
Helping Natick businesses recover after Main St. fire
The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to helping communities and businesses respond to and recover from major disasters. After Natick’s South Main Street area suffered a significant fire on July 22, the administration announced the creation of a $400,000 Natick Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, which will provide financial support to affected shops to help them open for business once again. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) capitalized the fund and will administer it, partnering with South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) and the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce for support.
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“These Natick businesses are important to the financial wellbeing of the community as well as to the business owners and their families. Our administration is proud to work with the MetroWest Chamber and the South Middlesex Opportunity Council to offer the kind of vital financial support needed for them rebuild and reopen as soon as possible.” — Lt. Governor Polito.
Spotlighting affordable housing progress
As it continues to advocate for the Housing Choice legislation to spur more housing growth, the administration is also spotlighting progress on regional affordable housing development. Lt. Governor Polito joined Housing & Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy on Cape Cod this month to tour two projects that are moving forward and will provide new affordable units for residents in Falmouth and Yarmouth. Through the Affordable Housing Rental awards and other initiaves, the Baker-Polito Administration continues to work to address the Commonwealth’s housing needs.
