State Budget Update: Not a Pretty Picture
Today, the Massachusetts House took up debate on a single consolidated amendment to the FY2007 state budget. The consolidated amendment combined all individual amendments regarding DMR, DMH and other Disability Agencies (MRC, Independent Living Centers, etc.) This single consolidated amendment passed.
With the exception of earmarking language and a few relatively minor boosts, previously filed amendments calling for increased funding for such programs as Turning 22, Family Support and DOE/DMR were NOT adopted. Amendments affecting the Administration and Finance budget, which includes the human service salary reserve, were not considered today. Rep. Marzilli's amendment, adding $22 million to the reserve, will likely be taken up in the next 48 hours, although given today's actions, its chances for success do not look promising.
In an early morning caucus, House leaders made clear to members that a basic choice would have to be made between the adoption of significant spending increases (representatives filed 1,600 budget amendments) or local aid to cities and towns. Without any amendments, the $25.3 billion budget, released by the House Ways and Means Committee, represents a 5.7% increase over last fiscal year's spending level, and the House leadership seems wary about balancing its books in the face of sluggish revenue forecasts, uncertainty over the final price tag of the recently-passed healthcare package, and calls for a rollback of the state income tax.
The Arc is disappointed by the denial of priority amendments. Rep. Tom Sannicandro, who spent much energy rallying support for increased T-22 funds, spoke to his colleagues about the value of the program and the urgent need for dollars. Likewise, Rep. Barbara L'Italien, a tireless advocate for a number of human service and education accounts, spoke publicly of her disappointment that her amendment to increase the joint Dept. of Ed./DMR account had been left out of the consolidated amendment.
One of the most compelling statements of the day was made by Rep. Ellen Story, who took to the rostrum to declare she was voting against the consolidated amendment because it did not contain the $1.6 million amendment sought by the ILC's.
Programs gaining funds from the consolidated amendment included: DMR state schools, $150,000 increase; Vocational services for the blind, $50,000 increase; and the Mass. Office on Disability, which saw $25,000 added to its budget.
Earmarks, while not adding to the bottom line, provide dedicated state funds for recipient organizations. Local earmarks often come at the expense of people living in other parts of the state who rely upon the same program dollars.
Earmarks adopted as part of today's consolidated amendment include the following (DMH earmarks not noted):
Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC):
- $100,000 for the Life Focus Center in Charlestown
- not less than $100,000 for special projects in Charlestown for people with disabilities
MRC employment assistance services:
- $100,000 for the Charlestown Navy Yard Project for disabled adults
- not less than $100,000 for special projects Charlestown for people with disabilities
MRC ILC account:
- not less than $200,000 for the Society for Human Advancement through Rehabilitation Engineering Foundation, inc. (UMass Dartmouth)
- not less than $100,000 for the Joseph F. Timilty Adult Day Health and Memory Loss Center, Boston
- not less than $25,000 for the Living Independently for Equality, Inc., of Brockton
MRC Head Injury Services:
- $100,000 for the Cape Cod Head Injury Program in Hyannis.
DMR, residential:
- $100,000 for Special Olympics
- not less than $500,000 for Best Buddies Massachusetts (Boston)
- not less than $50,000 for the Advocacy Resource Center in New Bedford
DMR Turning 22:
- $100,000 for the Life Focus Center in Charlestown
DMR Autism account:
- $200,000 for Melmark New England (Woburn)