House Completes FY23 Budget Debate, Adds $50K For Brookline Parklets

April 28, 2022 – The Massachusetts House of Representatives concluded its FY23 budget debateThursday night, finishing up with amendments related to state administration, energy & environmental affairs, housing, labor, and economic development.

The budget now includes an earmark filed by Rep. Tommy Vitolo that secures $50,000 for outdoor seating parklets in Brookline. This is in addition to $125,000 for the Brookline Center's Healthy Lives Program, $50,000 for the Brookline Council on Aging, and $25,000 for Steps to Success.

"The results of years of progressive advocacy can be seen in this budget,” Vitolo said in a statement. "We made historic investments in abortion care and relieved families of the financial burdens, banned child marriage and created a common application for state benefits. I am also proud to deliver funding today to ensure that outdoor seating parklets are ADA accessible and can be used by all residents of Brookline."

The $50,000 will be used by the Town to provide grants to local businesses for the design and creation of easily ADA-accessible outdoor seating parklets. The parklets will be flush with the street curb, allowing for a seamless transition from the sidewalk to the outdoor seating area. This will make it easier for community members with a mobility or physical disability or who are blind or visually impaired to use the parklet.

"For the past 60 years, the Booksmith has been longing to have our Harvard streetscape match the vibrancy of the store and the Brookline community," Lisa Gozashti, co-owner and manager of the Brookline Booksmith, said in a statement. "Last summer, it was great to see the parklets full of people laughing, eating, and reading. We're excited to see Rep. Vitolo working to create streets that are reflective of our community; welcoming, accessible, and beautiful.”

The budget also reduced the burden of applying for needs-based benefits by establishing a common application for Massachusetts residents. Additionally, state agencies will now be allowed to collect, organize, and assemble public ethnic and racial demographic data.

For the first time, the budget invests $500,000 of annual budget funds in abortion access across the state. Funding for housing was increased, with $150 million dedicated to Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, $140 for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition, and $100 million for homeless individuals.

Investments were also made in environmental protections, amounting to over $77 million with an additional $1.3 million dedicated to environmental justice initiatives. $78.7 million was also invested in DCR State Parks.

Once the Senate completes their budget, the House and Senate will meet in conference to craft a budget to send to the Governor.

Read more:

• FY23 Budget To Include $175K For Brookline Center, Council On Aging
• Lawmakers Include $25K For Steps To Success Brookline In FY23 Budget
• Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo Joins MA Legislators To Debate FY23 Budget