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Revenue neutral measure would be used to fund emergency services for at-risk children, homeless and low-income residents; $3.4 million returned to General Fund
Governor Deval Patrick today filed legislation to address funding shortfalls in several accounts this fiscal year that provide early intervention services to at-risk children, shelter beds for the homeless and emergency assistance for the elderly, disabled and children.
The bill recommends $19 million in supplemental appropriations, which are fully offset by $22.4 million in combined new revenue and spending reductions tied to surplus funding. The remaining $3.4 million will be returned to the General Fund.
“We have an obligation to the Commonwealth's citizens,” Governor Patrick said. “I am very pleased that we were able to meet those needs by reallocating existing funds and also to return revenue to the General Fund. This is the kind of flexibility and creativity that I am asking for from my team.”
The supplemental items to fund existing obligations include:
- $4.1 million to fund higher caseloads at the Emergency Assistance for the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA);
- $2.7 million to maintain capacity at DTA family shelters;
- $1.1 million to fund National Guard patrols at the Pilgrim Power Plant, and cover armory utility costs;
- $900,000 to increase the retained revenue ceiling for the Early Intervention program at the Department of Public Health; and
- $4.5 million to increase the retained revenue ceiling for State Police private details.
The legislation also addresses $5.7 million in obligations under collective bargaining agreements approved by the previous administration affecting regional Registries of Deeds, the Board of Higher Education, local sheriffs and others.
Governor Patrick has established a Development Cabinet, which he chairs, to identify and promote business development, job growth and infrastructure projects. Because the Development Cabinet is now performing the functions of the former Commonwealth Development Coordinating Council, the legislation abolishes the Council and transfers the balance of its funds for FY 07 to the Governor's Office.
The bill also eliminates entirely a $5 million earmark for Tourism Massachusetts .
Further, the bill expands the scope of the Central Artery/Tunnel audit program to include cost recovery and management. Currently, the audit's scope is limited to construction and safety.
The governor's letter to legislators is attached.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives:
I am filing for your consideration a bill recommending Fiscal Year 2007 supplemental appropriations totaling $19 million, which are fully offset by $22.4 million in combined new revenue and spending reductions tied to surplus funding. This legislation is necessary to address $13.3 million in immediate deficiencies, and $5.7 million in new collective bargaining agreement obligations.
The supplemental items to fund existing obligations include:
· $4.1 million to fund higher caseloads at the EAEDC program at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA);
· $2.7 million to maintain capacity at DTA shelters;
· $1.1 million to fund National Guard patrols at the Pilgrim Power plant, and cover armory utility costs;
· $900,000 to increase the retained revenue ceiling for the Early Intervention program at the Department of Public Health; and
· $4.5 million to increase the retained revenue ceiling for State Police private details.
Pursuant to Section 7 of Chapter 150E of the General Laws, I submit for your consideration appropriation recommendations to fund the Fiscal Year 2007 incremental costs contained in collective bargaining agreements between the:
- Board of Higher Education and the Massachusetts Community College Council;
- Board of Higher Education and the Association of Professional Administrators, MTA/NEA;
- The Commonwealth and the
o Service Employees International Union, Local 888, at the North, Middle and South Berkshire Registry of Deeds,
o American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 93, Local 653, at the Essex North and South Registry of Deeds,
o American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 93, Local 414, at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds,
o Office and Professional Employees International Union , Local 6, at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds,
o Office and Professional Employees International Union , Local 6, at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds,
o Office and Professional Employees International Union , Local 6, at the Hampden Registry of Deeds,
o Service Employees International Union, Local 888, at the Suffolk Registry of Deeds, and
o Service Employees International Union, Local 888, at the Worcester North Registry of Deeds ;
- Franklin sheriff's department and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 404;
- Middlesex sheriff's department and the Middlesex Sheriff's Superior Officers Association;
- Middlesex sheriff's department and the Teamsters Local 122; and
- Hampshire sheriff's department and the
o Sheriff's Office Treatment Association,
o Non-Uniform Correctional Association,
o Hampshire Sheriff's Office Jail and House of Correction Supervisory Correctional Officers Association, and
o Law Enforcement and Security Union, United Food and Commercial Workers Union .
In addition, pursuant to Section 7 of Chapter 150E of the General Laws, I submit for your consideration appropriation recommendations to fund the Fiscal Year 2006 and 2007 incremental costs contained in collective bargaining agreements between the:
- Plymouth county sheriff and the International Brotherhood of Correctional Officers R1-227;
- Dukes county sheriff and the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, Units A and B; and
- Norfolk county sheriff and the County Correctional Officer Association, Supervisory and Non-Supervisory Units.
This legislation places a total of $5,706,622 in 13 reserves from which funds may be transferred to departments' operating accounts to meet the Fiscal Year 2006 and 2007 costs of the salary adjustments and other economic benefits which are required by the agreements. Copies of the agreements, and estimates of the costs thereof for Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 are being submitted separately to the Committees on Ways and Means.
Because a new Development Cabinet chaired by the Governor himself is now performing its functions, this bill also abolishes the Commonwealth Development Coordinating Council and transfers the balance of its funds for the present fiscal year to the Governor's office.
Finally, this bill includes language to clarify the purposes for which Central Artery/Tunnel audit program funds may be expended, and to facilitate administration of the fair-share employer contribution by the Division of Unemployment Assistance.
Revenue offsets have been identified to finance these appropriations. I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.
Respectfully submitted,
Deval L. Patrick
Governor
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