Senator Eldridge Secures Funding for Statewide Programs in FY21 Budget
Advocates for social safety net, education, housing, environmental and district priorities
Boston - Earlier this month, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) voted for the FY21 budget, championing a variety of statewide programs. Eldridge continued his priorities around increasing state education aid, protecting the environment, increasing funding for affordable housing, and maintaining the social safety net. He also successfully filed amendments to provide funding to support the community through the COVID-19 pandemic, bolster efforts to assist low-income individuals struggling financially, support job training for the formerly incarcerated, grant emergency authorization for CPCS to meet demand for representation, and provide rental vouchers to disabled applicants through AHVP.
“I’m grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, and Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Michael Rodrigues, for crafting a state budget that avoided significant budget cuts, increased social safety net supports, and made new investments in justice reinvestment, expanding access to healthcare, and also passed comprehensive reproductive rights protections.”
“I was also pleased to secure key investments for communities across the Middlesex and Worcester district, including financial literacy, healthcare for veterans, reducing food insecurity, increasing sustainability, and helping low-income families.”
— State Senator Jamie Eldridge
Senator Eldridge was successful in securing the following amendments:
$60,000 for Budget Buddies. Budget Buddies assists women and young teens develop financial skills necessary to pursue greater economic stability, increased educational opportunities, sustained employment, and better housing security. This funding will help operate a program that focuses on financial literacy education and financial coaching programs for low-income women.
“The pandemic has been devastating for women at all income levels, and demand for our one-to-one financial wellness coaching has never been higher,” says Danielle Piskadlo, Executive Director of Budget Buddies. “Our virtual programming is now available to women and teens across Massachusetts, and our volunteers are ready to partner with them to set and achieve their financial goals. We’re grateful to Senator Eldridge for recognizing this critical need, and advocating for women across the Commonwealth.”
Senator Eldridge advocated for Emergency Authorization for CPCS to Meet Demand for Representation. The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) now has the authority to increase fees for family law cases if an emergency shortage of counsel exists. CPCS provides legal representation in Massachusetts for those unable to afford an attorney in all matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel.
Senator Eldridge secured funding to support One Family Scholars. The One Family Scholars program provides individualized college and career coaching as well as flexible financial aid to low-income parents pursuing a college degree. Operated by One Family, Inc., this program focuses on academic success, personal finance, career success, life skills, and leadership development. As a result, individuals participating in the One Family Scholars program attain a graduation rate of 81%, compared to the national average of 47%.
“Senator Eldridge has been an ally and friend for many years. He once again went the extra mile for One Family and the families we serve, by reaching out to Senate leadership on our behalf to make the case for critical funding. Thanks to his tremendous advocacy, we will be able to continue our work helping low-income parents graduate from college, enter stable careers, and afford homes of their own,” said Valerie Paric, Executive Director of One Family.
Senator Eldridge advocated for an amendment to increase funding to provide job training to formerly incarcerated individuals. Funds will be used to facilitate job training for former prisoners in order to facilitate job placement, wage subsidies to facilitate private sector employment and professional development, and support services and programs for court-involved youths.
“We really appreciate Senator Eldridge introducing the amendment to increase the funding for job training for formerly incarcerated people. This increase will enable many tens of people more to get this training and we thank Senator Eldridge for his leadership on this,” said Lewis Finfer, Co-Director of Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN).
Senator Eldridge successfully advocated for substantial increase in funding for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program. The Alternative Housing Voucher program (AHVP) provides rental vouchers to disabled applicants who are not elderly and who have been determined eligible for subsidized housing. As COVID-19 cases have continued to rise in the region, permanent housing has become a key component of limiting transmission. This funding will ultimately lessen the number of homeless individuals, and prevent dangerous overcrowding in homeless shelters.
“Senator Eldridge has been a superstar for people with disabilities, working with the Housing Advocacy Leadership Team, the Disability Policy Consortium, CHAPA and BCIL to secure funds over the past seven years to triple the number of vouchers for AHVP, helping so many to stay out of shelters and nursing homes and live in their own homes,” said Bill Henning, Executive Director at the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL).
Senator Eldridge filed an amendment to increase funding for credit and foreclosure prevention counseling grants to homeowners. The amendment will support homeowners through a Division of Banks program, and empowers homeowners to be proactive in the face of increasing occurrences of foreclosures and decrease their reliance on government assistance. This funding was a crucial addition to the budget, as more homeowners struggle to make payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“MACDC remains grateful to Sen. Eldridge for being a longtime champion for this program, including his successful floor amendment to increase funding during the Senate debate. At a time of diminished federal support, the nonprofit counseling agencies assisted with these funds view the funding from Chapter 206 awards to be essential to creating and preserving sustainable homeownership in the Commonwealth,” said David Bryant, Director of Advocacy, Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations.
Additionally, Senator Eldridge co-sponsored Amendment 180 filed by Senator Harriette Chandler, to expand reproductive rights.
The FY2021 budget was passed by the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives on Friday, December 4th.
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