8 Malden Programs Funded Under State Lawmakers' 2022 Budget

MALDEN, MA — The Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate has passed a final budget for the 2022 fiscal year that includes funding for several Malden programs.

Sen. Jason Lewis, Rep. Paul Donato, Rep. Steve Ultrino and Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian secured $600,000 in funding earmarks that will go toward arts and culture programs, training and equipment for first responders, and local nonprofits.

"As a statement of what we value as a Commonwealth, the FY22 budget reflects comprehensive attention to supporting residents through the pandemic recovery, with significant support for housing and food security and public health resources; ongoing prioritization in areas like public education, local aid, and workforce development; and prudent savings directed to our rainy day fund," Lipper-Garabedian said. "I’m also thrilled that the budget includes significant funding for various Malden departments as well as critical community partners like Bread of Life and Housing Families."

If approved, the budget would fund the following:

• $70,000 to support the Malden ArtLine
• $50,000 for mental and behavioral health training and clinical consultation to support the Malden Police Department
• $50,000 for rescue equipment for the Malden Fire Department
• $50,000 for the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition (GMAACC) to establish an Asian Community Center in Malden
• $100,000 for Bread of Life to support their anti-hunger efforts
• $75,000 to develop a Master Plan for Fellsmere Park
• $105,000 for the Housing Families Pro Bono Legal Services program
• $100,000 for the Housing Families Homeless Children support program

"Malden Arts is extremely grateful for this funding," Naomi Brave, president of Malden Arts, said. "With so many local residents and businesses having had an unusually difficult year, Malden Arts did not feel fundraising for Phase 2 of theARTLine was an option. This generous funding will allow Malden Arts to move forward with Phase 2 of the ARTLine, providing the residents of Malden a safe outdoor space to recreate and gather. It will also attract visitors to Malden to see the unusual beauty of the trail, providing much-needed revenue for local businesses."

On a statewide level, the budget would support education by increasing Chapter 70 funding by $219.6 million to $5.5 billion and depositing $350 million in the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund. In addition, the voluntary desegregation program METCO, in which Brookline participates, would receive $27.9 million.

To support climate change initiatives, $2.2 million is slated for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and $13 million for incentivizing training for jobs in the offshore wind industry.

Continued support for housing and food security is included in the budget, with $22 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, $85 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, $30 million for emergency food assistance, and $13 million for the Healthy Incentives program.

"With significant investments in our public schools, local aid, affordable housing, public health, workforce development and more, this budget will go a long way to helping our communities recover from the pandemic," Sen. Jason Lewis said. "I’m particularly pleased that our delegation was also able to secure state funding for a number of important local priorities in Malden."

The budget now heads to the governor's desk for approval.