The Massachusetts Legislature enacted a $58 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), after resolving differences between versions passed by the House and Senate earlier this year.
In a press release from State Sen. Brendan Crighton’s office, the budget includes $1.8 million for the 3rd Essex District, the greater Lynn area.
Larger investments include:
- $160,000 for the Lynn Police Department’s behavioral health unit.
- $100,000 for the E-Team Machinist Training Program.
- $90,000 for Greater Lynn Senior Services, for programming at the Phoenix Food Hub.
- $50,000 for Catholic Charities food pantry in Lynn.
- $50,000 for the Lynn Community Health Center for the operation of the Recuperative Care Center.
- $50,000 for Girls on the Run Greater Boston, to provide social-emotional learning and physical activity, and curriculum for elementary and middle school-ages girls in Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott.
- $65,000 for the Saugus Fire Department for the purchase of gear and equipment.
“The budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2025 includes many exciting investments for the Commonwealth’s future and reaffirms the Legislature’s commitment to providing services and economic opportunities for all our residents,” Crighton said.
The budget also includes investments for the Department of Conservation and non-public entities that work towards maintaining beaches and parks in the North Shore.
Larger investments include:
- $900,000 for the metropolitan beaches commission.
- $290,000 for matching grants to public and nonpublic entities to support free public events and programs on the metropolitan beaches as part of Save the Harbor, Save the Bay’s Better Beaches Grants Program.
- $100,000 for Save the Harbor, Save the Bay to support ongoing work of the commission on the future of metropolitan beaches.
- $55,000 for maintenance of Red Rock Park.
- $50,000 for the cleanup of Pilayella littoralis algae.
“Locally, this budget includes important funding for gun violence prevention programming, mental health services, park improvements, and local programming,” State Rep. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) said.
The budget includes $1.3 billion in revenues generated from the Fair Share surtax of 4% on annual income above $1 million, which will go towards improving the state’s education and transportation sectors. Forty-one percent of the Fair Share revenues will go towards transportation, while 59% will go towards education.
“Massachusetts understands that our people are always the best investment. That’s why this budget focuses so much on education. From the earliest years to worker training, to higher education,” State Rep. Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead) said. “And it’s a spending plan that’s responsive to the unique needs of our communities. I am grateful to the Legislature for funding important projects in Marblehead, Swampscott, and Lynn.”
Investment in education in the budget includes $6.9 billion in Chapter 70 funding, and over $1.55 billion investment in the early education and care sector.
Other investments in the budget include $1.15 billion in housing, including $326.1 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters. As well as, $24.9 billion for health, mental health, and family care.
The press release states that for the first time in Massachusetts history, the FY25 budget allows an individual to be identified with a non-binary ‘X’ sex designation on their birth certificate and “enshrine into law the current practice of allowing an individual to select a non- binary ‘X’ gender designation on their driver’s license.”
“I am proud that this budget contains comprehensive investments in the key areas that impact our residents’ daily lives, including education, healthcare, and transportation. Initiatives like free community college, support for public transportation, and funding for MassHealth will help all our communities to thrive while setting us up for a successful economic future,” Crighton said.
