Budget Highlights include permanent funding for universal school meals, free community college for qualifying residents, investments in child care funded by the authorization of online purchasing options for the state lottery, and funding to ensure statewide access to abortion medication
BOSTON – Last week, State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston) and her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its fiscal year 2024 (FY’24) budget. This budget responds to the needs of residents and makes targeted investments that provide support for families across the Commonwealth. Funded at $56.2 billion, the House’s FY24 budget provides strong support for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, and among many critical investments, includes significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development.
“Budgets reflect organization’s values and priorities and this budget prioritizes and values a strong workforce, families ability to access health care and educational opportunities, a public transit system that our residents can rely on, and the need for a more stable and affordable housing market,” said State Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “Among these accomplishments, I was proud to be able to secure $335,000 for the 12th Plymouth district to honor our veterans, increase public safety, support small businesses, and invest in our youth enrichment. Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz and all of my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee for another successful budget debate.”
Representative LaNatra secured a total of $335,000 through the adoption of the following sponsored amendments:
$150,000 for Harbor Health Services Inc. to expand their dental services in Plymouth and Cape Cod
$100,000 for the construction of a new Veteran’s Memorial in Kingston
$25,000 for the purchase of new furniture in the Plympton Public library children’s room
$25,000 for the Plymouth Downtown Waterfront District to support small businesses
$20,000 for the Kingston Rec. Department to purchase lunches for summer campers
$15,000 for electronic upgrades on the Plymouth Police boat
Other notable items in the budget include investments into education and transportation stemming from an anticipated $1 billion in Fair Share revenue that includes funding universal school meals, MBTA workforce development, and other capital investments.
The budget invests in protecting renters through the RAFT program as well as the rental voucher program. The budget makes other strong targeted investments in workforce development, higher education, mental healthcare and environmental protection and clean energy.
The budget passed the House of Representatives 156-0 and will now go to the Senate for consideration.
Representative LaNatra’s district includes all residents of Kingston, Plympton, Plymouth (Precincts 1,2,3,5 and 13) Middleboro (Precincts 1 & 5A), Halifax (Precincts 1 & 2A) and Pembroke (Precinct 3).. To reach her, email [email protected] or her Chief of Staff, Chris Jean, at [email protected]. The phone number for the office is 617-722-2575.
For updates and announcements, please visit Representative LaNatra’s Facebook page, or her website, https://www.kathylanatra.com.