On Wednesday, July 31, 2019 Governor Charlie Baker signed the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) $43.321 billion budget into law.

Governor Baker said, “A strong economy and prudent fiscal management have allowed our Administration to work with the Legislature to continue building the Commonwealth’s Stabilization Fund and invest in key areas like housing, education and efforts to fight opioid misuse.”

Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said, “Since taking office, our Administration has been focused on building strong partnerships with Massachusetts cities and towns, from funding for public schools and public safety needs to local economic development programs and housing assistance.”

Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan noted that fiscal discipline helped restore structural balance to the budget, adding, “These efforts continue to pay off, and along with a strong Massachusetts economy are now enabling major investments in priority areas, including education and transportation.”

The FY20 budget represents an approximately 3.3% increase in spending over estimated spending in Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19). The total $43.321 billion in spending excludes certain trust fund transfers.

The budget includes $1.1 billion in unrestricted local aid for cities and towns, up $183 million since Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15).

Among the highlights:

Support for Cities and Towns

  • $5.2 B for Chapter 70 education aid
  • $1.1 B for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA)
  • $3 M for District Local Technical Assistance to support regionalization projects

Transportation

  • $698 M for transportation overall, including MassDOT operations, the MBTA, and Regional Transit Authorities
  • A $1.1 B sales tax transfer, in addition to $127 million in operating budget support, for the MBTA
  • $90.5 M for Regional Transit Authorities, which includes $3.5 million in funding expressly tied to performance metrics

Housing

  • $179 M in emergency assistance funding to provide shelter to homeless families
  • $110 M for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher (MRVP) program
  • $72 M for Local Housing Authorities (LHAs)
  • $53 M for homeless shelters serving individuals
  • $4 M in new funding to expand ADA-accessible units within the homeless shelter system

 Workforce and Economic Development

  • $7 M for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund
  • $3.1 M for Small Business Technical Assistance grants
  • $2.5 M for the Urban Agenda grant program, including targeted workforce development programs for Black and Latino young adults
  • $1 M for Learn to Earn
  • Transfer of any FY19 consolidated net surplus to the Community Preservation Trust Fund ($20 M) and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center ($10 M)
  • $4.8 M for mental and behavioral staff within the Department of Correction to address the requirements of criminal justice reform
  • $4.5 M for a new class of at least 100 State Police recruits
  • $3.2 M to operate a new Southeast Fire Training Academy in Bridgewater (the Administration included $10 M in authorization for construction of the facility in its General Governmental Bond Bill)

Here is a link to the FY 2020 Budget.