Mass. House’s FY24 Budget Supports Melrose Community And Commonwealth

MELROSE, MA – The Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed a $56.2 billion budget for next year on Wednesday, with funding for the city of Melrose set aside by representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose).

Lipper-Garabedian, a member of the Ways & Means Committee, joined the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass its fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget and secured funding to make several improvements in Melrose.

Specifically, $93,000 was secured for improvements to the Ell Pond Gazebo and $25,000 was secured for improvements at the Milano Center.

"I am proud to have secured more than $100,000 for two treasured structures in the city of Melrose – the Ell Pond Gazebo and the Milano Center," Lipper-Garabedian said in a news release.

"One of the earliest photos I have in Melrose is at the iconic Gazebo, which needs significant refurbishment to anchor our central shared outdoor space. State dollars for driveway lighting at the Milano Center will enhance community safety, especially for our senior population,” Lipper-Garabedian said.

In addition to city-wide investments, the state will also receive permanent funding for universal school meals, free community college for qualifying residents, investments in child care, and funding to ensure statewide access to abortion medications.

“Among the many critical and responsive statewide investments in the House’s budget bill, I am thrilled to support ongoing historic funding in early education and childcare, a top priority for which I advocated. Additionally, I'm proud to join the House in supporting universal free school meals, which would make Massachusetts the sixth state to make the program permanent,” Lipper-Garabedian said.