House Passes F18 Budget, $250K to Improve Health and Safety in Braintree

From the Office of Representative Mark J. Cusack: Representative Mark J. Cusack (D-Braintree) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass a $40.4 billion FY18 budget which represents a commitment to fiscal responsibility. The spending bill protects vulnerable residents through investments in early education and care, substance addiction initiatives, homelessness programs, and funding to help individuals with developmental disabilities. Within the FY18 budget Braintree will see nearly $23 million in local aid as well as $150,000 for Braintree’s Community Partnership on Substance Abuse and $100,000 for public safety improvements.

This budget takes comprehensive action to promote sustained economic health in Massachusetts as we face uncertainty on the national level. For the fourth year in a row, the House budget reduces Massachusetts’ reliance on one-time revenue. It includes a $100 million deposit to the stabilization fund which will result in projected balance of more than $1.4 billion and help preserve the state’s AA+ bond rating, the highest in the Commonwealth’s history.

The budget passed by the House of Representatives includes nearly $23 million in direct aid to Braintree. The town will see a 3.9% increase in unrestricted local aid. The $214,577 increase will bring Braintree’s total to $5,716,544 for FY18. Braintree Public Schools will see an increase of 5.9% in Chapter 70 education funding. This nearly $1,000,000 increase will bring Braintree’s total state education funding to $17,201,085. In addition, the House budget fully funds the Special Education Circuit Breaker which will further help the town manage increasing special education costs.

“The increase in local aid will help the town fully fund education, public safety, veterans’ services, our public works operation and many other areas that are crucial to continuing to improve our quality of life in Braintree,” said Representative Cusack. “The nearly $1,000,000 increase in education funding will assist the schools in providing the education and resources our students, teachers and staff need to excel.”

Representative Cusack was successful in securing an amendment of $150,000 to be put towards Braintree’s Community Partnership on Substance Use. The money will be used to help the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator and the lead stakeholders continue their work in educating the community on prevention and treatment for substance abuse. Last year, Representative Cusack was able to secure funding in the budget that established this position and office.

“The Community Partnership on Substance Abuse and Coordinator Koelsch have been doing a good job establishing this new committee and setting up programs,” said Representative Cusack. “It is my hope that with this additional funding from the budget that the Partnership can reach even more citizens who need our help.”

Cusack was also able to secure $100,000 to increase public safety in Braintree.

“I am extremely proud of the job that all the men and women serving in Braintree’s public safety departments do on the town’s behalf every day. I look forward to continue to work with Mayor Sullivan, Police Chief Shastany, and Fire Chief O’Brien to put this money to where it will be needed the most to protect our town and residents,” said Representative Cusack.

The House budget now moves to the Senate who will take it up in the upcoming weeks. Once the House and Senate work out their differences, the budget will be sent to the Governor.

“I look forward to working with our Senate counterparts to make sure these crucial funds are included in their budget as well as working with Governor Baker and his administration to emphasize the importance of this funding for Braintree,” added Representative Cusack.

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