May 24, 2007

Massachusetts State Senate Wraps Up Debate on FY2008 State Budget

Tonight, the Mass. Senate approved a $26.7 billion fiscal 2008 budget. Most of the 850 amendments adding significant funds to the Senate Ways & Means budget were rejected. President Therese Murray stressed the pressure faced by senators in crafting a responsible spending plan against the sobering backdrop of a projected 3% revenue growth, while noting some national economists are forecasting a more conservative growth estimate.¹

 

A six person conference committee will now be formed with members from the House and the Senate. Expected membership are the House and Senate Ways and Means Chairs, Robert DeLeo and Stephen Panagiotokas, along with Rep. Marie St Fleur, Rep. Vinny deMacedo; Sen. Steve Tolman and Sen. Michael Knapik. After resolving differences between the two spending plans, the conference committee will then forward the budget to Governor Patrick for his signature with the intention that the process will be complete before July 1st, the start of the new fiscal year.

 

We have prepared a spreadsheet reflecting the chronological progress of the state budget thus far below – note this does not take into account Senate line item language which may make a dollar to dollar (apples to oranges) comparison problematical. Check back to this page in the next few days for more detailed analysis and action steps.

 

 

Click on this link to download a PDF of the spreadsheet below, formatted for printing.

Line Item	Description	Level funding *	Guv's FY08	Final House FY08 **	Senate Ways & Means FY08	Senate Amendments	Final Senate FY08	Diff between Senate and House***
5911-1000	Central Office	N/A	Consolidated into 5911-1003	Consolidated into 5911-1003	$14,515,531		$14,515,531
5920-1000	Regional Offices	N/A	Consolidated into 5911-1003	Consolidated into 5911-1003	$57,047,365		$57,047,365
5911-1003	Consolidated Central & Regional Offices	$71,562,896	$73,677,966	$73,256,467	Senate W&M TOTAL $71,562,896		Senate TOTAL $71,562,896	$1,693,571
5911-2000	Transportation	$14,137,324	Consolidated into 5920-2007	$13,972,324	$14,137,324		$14,137,324	-$165,000
5920-2000	Community Residential	$549,157,636	Consolidated into 5920-2045	$549,157,636	$547,157,631		$547,157,631	$2,000,005
5920-2045	Consolidated Community Residential	N/A	$767,435,196	N/A	N/A		N/A	$0
5920-2006	Residential Rate Initiative	$2,000,000	Consolidated into 5920-2045	$2,000,000	$2,000,000		$2,000,000	$0
5920-2010	State Ops.	$130,964,744	Consolidated into 5920-2045	$130,964,744	$130,964,744		$130,964,744	$0
5920-2020	Boulet/Waiting List	$87,812,812	Consolidated into 5920-2045	$87,812,812	$87,812,812		$87,812,812	$0
5920-2007	Consolidated Support Programs	N/A	$185,686,848	N/A	N/A		N/A	N/A
5920-2025	Day/Employment	$123,177,711	Consolidated into 5920-2007	$121,981,711	$122,569,711		$122,569,711	-$588,000
5920-3000	Family Supports	$55,371,374	Consolidated into 5920-2007	$55,421,374	$54,794,228		$54,794,228	$627,146
5920-3010	Autism Division	$3,002,672	$3,002,672	$3,252,672	$3,052,672	$200,000 Sen. Antonioni	$3,252,672	$0
5920-5000	Turning 22	$8,500,000	$5,500,000	$7,500,000	$7,700,000		$7,700,000	-$200,000
5930-1000	State Schools	$183,601,104	$180,430,895	$182,759,388	$176,397,994		$176,397,994	$6,361,394
5982-1000	Templeton Retained	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000	$150,000		$150,000	-$50,000
TOTAL		$1,233,615,272	$1,215,833,577	$1,228,179,128	$1,218,300,012		$1,218,500,012	$9,679,116
1599-6901	EOHHS Salary Reserve	$28,000,000	$12,000,000	$20,000,000	$20,000,000	$3,000,000 Sen. Spilka	$23,000,000	$3,000,000
5948-0012	DOE/DMR	$8,000,000	$8,000,000	$8,000,000	$8,000,000		$8,000,000	$0