Lawmakers Include $25K For Steps To Success Brookline In FY23 Budget

BROOKLINE, MA — As part of their FY23 budget debate, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted Monday to include a $25,000 earmark filed by Brookline Rep. Tommy Vitolo for Steps to Success Brookline and an additional $250,000 for the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO).

“Ensuring that all students in Brookline, and across Massachusetts, have access to a high quality education is a priority of mine,” said Vitolo in a statement. “I am thrilled that my advocacy for programs like Steps to Success, METCO, and Universal School Meals paid off and was grateful to kick off budget week by securing funding for our most vulnerable students.”

The House budget meets the commitments made in the Student Opportunity Act, fully funding Chapter 70 at its highest level ever, $5.988 billion. The House budget includes additional funding to bring minimum aid up to $60 per pupil while fully funding charter school reimbursement, the circuit breaker transportation reimbursement, and Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) to cities and towns. A $110 million investment will also allow school lunches to remain free after federal funding lapses this summer.

“Throughout the past two school years, universal free school meals have proved what we already knew — school meals are an essential part of public education,” said Rep. Andy Vargas in a statement. "The fact that so many districts saw school meal participation increase, in some cases as high as 40 percent, shows the demand and need to continue this program. In the face of federal inaction, I’m grateful that the MA House is stepping up to break down stigma and feed all kids.”

Investments were also made in early childhood and higher education, with $70 million for early childcare providers, $16.5 million for Head Start grants, and funding for college scholarships. In addition, the budget includes funding for the Soldiers Home and local veterans organizations

During Monday’s debate, Democrats defeated several Republican lead attempts to remove the gas tax and cut other revenue sources.

Debate in the House is scheduled to continue through Thursday.