(BOSTON – 8/1/2023) After two months of negotiations, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a final compromise budget for Fiscal Year 2024 yesterday and sent the legislation to Governor Healey for consideration. Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), who secured $3.76 Million in the Senate’s original budget, was pleased to see all of his funding and policy priorities maintained in the final budget.
“It’s my job as Senator to go down to Beacon Hill and zealously advocate for our district’s priorities however I can,” said Senator Velis. “Over the past several months, my team and I have been meeting with leaders and organizations across the Commonwealth and I am grateful that my priorities in the Senate’s original budget have been maintained in the final FY24 budget we are sending to Governor Healey’s desk.”
Local Funding in Final FY24 Budget Secured by Senator Velis
- $250,000 to the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce for building restorations and business upgrades throughout the City of Holyoke
- $70,000 to Barnes Air National Guard Base for base force protection support
- $50,000 to Bay State Noble Hospital’s opioid treatment and overdose prevention community grant program
- $50,000 to the West Springfield Council on Aging for renovations to their fitness center
- $50,000 to the Westfield Athenium
- $50,000 to the City of West Springfield for their 250th Anniversary
- $40,000 the City of Westfield for improvements to the Cross Street Playground
- $35,000 to the Town of Southampton for a feasibility study on a new public safety complex
- $25,000 to the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote tourism in Western Massachusetts
- $25,000 to the City of Agawam for ADA compliance improvements
- $25,000 to the City of Easthampton for ADA compliance improvements
- $25,000 to the Town of Russell for technological upgrades and improvements to public works equipment and facilities
- $20,000 to the Town of Montgomery for public safety improvements
- $15,000 to the Children’s Museum of Holyoke
- $10,000 to the South Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative
- $10,000 to the Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield
Veterans Affairs Initiatives in Final FY24 Budget Secured by Senator Velis
- $500,000 to the Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program to expand trauma services for Veterans across the state
- $200,000 to implement the recommendations of last session’s Women Veterans Study, including expanding outreach to identify women veterans and services
- Expanding eligibility for the MA Welcome Home Bonus to LGBTQ+ service members who were dishonorably discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
- $914,000 to Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts Service Fund, Inc. to provide counseling and benefits assistance to disabled veterans and their families
- $100,000 to Vietnam Veterans of Massachusetts Inc to aid veterans in the commonwealth with filing claims for medical and financial benefits
Health Care Initiatives in Final FY24 Budget Secured by Senator Velis
- $500,000 to establish a Behavioral Health School Pilot Program that will allow school counselors and administrators to call a specialist hotline to discuss behavioral health issues with students
- Requiring the Board of Nursing Home Administrators to report on nursing home closures and whether the closures are in compliance with state regulations
- Ensuring that Physicians are able to access mental health resources after being referred to Physician Health Services
Another initiative from Senator Velis in the Senate budget increased funding for the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs by $800,000, from $2.2M to $3M. That $3M in funding was included in the final budget and will support Boys & Girls Clubs across the Commonwealth in the next operating year.
Senator Velis represents his hometown of Westfield, Agawam, parts of Chicopee, Easthampton, Holyoke, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, and West Springfield.
With these initiatives now included in the Legislature’s final FY24 Budget, the legislation will now go to Governor Healey for consideration.
###