Senate budget debate continues, adding $43.5M to bottom line
BOSTON (WWLP) – During the first half of the work week, senators deliberated more than half of their budget amendments and added $43.5 million to the bottom line.
Before amendment consideration, the Senate budget proposal sat at $61.32 billion, and it appears the branch is forging ahead with spending despite federal funding uncertainty and modest tax revenue.
Senator Gomez secures funding for Springfield cultural initiatives
During Tuesday deliberations, the Senate considered 671 amendments, rejecting 208 and adopting 301, including designating $150,000 for a free abortion legal hotline and $220,000 for mental health support for new parents.
Other passed amendments include $50,000 for educational programming to prevent gun violence, $330,000 for 'medically-tailored' meals for veterans, and $250,000 for youth nonprofit sports programs for marginalized youth.
Senators also looked to regulate Department of Mental Health case managers without directly endangering their jobs. This clashes with the governor's plan, which looks to reduce the DMH workforce by half, as the DMH looks to transition to a care model where case managers no longer have specific clients.
The senator who proposed the branch's amendment spoke about potential impending cuts.
'If they're going to cut case managers, they're going to cut, but I'm much more focused on what they're doing, and what they're trying to do, and why they're cutting caseworkers,' said Arlington Senator Cindy Friedman.
Remaining budget topics up for deliberation include transportation, public safety, judiciary, and local matters.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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