Legislature Restores Funding for Resiliency for Life Program

Four budget items championed by Representative Chris Walsh of Framingham, were restored to the budget when the House and the Senate voted to override many of the governor’s vetoes this week.

One important override was for the line item for After-School and Out-of-School Grants. This itemIncludes $100,000 for The Resiliency for Life Program.

This program serves a high-needs population at Framingham High School. It is a voluntary academic intervention and drop-out prevention program that develops skills for students at-risk for academic failure.

Less than 1 percent of Resiliency for Life (RFL) students dropped out in the past five years, compared to a statewide average of 11 percent in the high-needs population in 2013.

“RFL is a very successful program that runs counter to the statewide issue of higher drop-out rates in this at-risk population,” said Rep. Walsh. “Recognizing that the earlier this population is reached the better the chances of success, RFL is planning to expand into the middle schools in Framingham in an effort to further reverse negative trends.”

Included in the Municipal Regionalization and Efficiencies Incentive Reserve, is $30,000 to fund the National Lancers.

The National Lancers are headquartered in Framingham on property leased from the State are one of the oldest mounted military organizations in the Country.

“Our state and urban park system serve many people in lower income brackets who cannot afford summer homes and I feel that the override of Governor’s veto of $3,027,000 which would allow DCR to re-open and re-staff our state and urban park system was vital,” said Walsh “The safe operation of all of the state parks is very important as part of a system of environmental protection and preservation. This funding will help provide for open, staffed, well-maintained facilities which support the Commonwealth’s $10B outdoor recreation economy.”

Representative Walsh further noted, “Another vetoed line item that was overridden was for environmental protection administration, including $25,000 to enter into an agreement with the nonprofit organization to operate a water quality monitoring program in the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord rivers.”

“Issues of environmental protection are vital and it is critical that we keep the quality of life in the Commonwealth at the highest level possible. An override of this veto, restoring this funding for these important programs, ensures that the environment continues to be protected and that the environment is not ignored,” said Walsh.

Legislators passed the state budget earlier this month.

Some other items were then vetoed by Baker, which triggered the override votes this week.

Other items passed in the budget earlier this month that were not vetoed by Baker include:

• The special education circuit breaker, which reimburses schools for high-cost special education services, received a 5.5 percent increase.

• Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment, an initiative that allows students with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities to enroll in mainstream college courses, was funded at $1.2 million. State Rep. Tom Sannicandro filed an amendment to the House budget, cosponsored by Rep. Walsh and Rep. Gentile, for that amount.

• An initiative that trains people with disabilities for mainstream jobs called Transitions to Work, also an item sponsored by Rep. Sannicandro and cosponsored by Walsh, was funded as well.

• The budget also included a 13 percent jump for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC), which provides legal assistance to low-income clients. MLAC consistently brings in more federal funding than it’s allocated. According to the MLAC annual report, in fiscal year 2014, federal revenue for MLAC clients totaled $8.6 million, and state savings was estimated at an additional $14.3 million, including $8.5 million in avoiding shelter costs for low-income residents facing eviction. An amendment for more MLAC funding was co-sponsored by Framingham’s representatives Sannicandro, Walsh, and Gentile.