Lawmakers make sure Central Mass. not forgotten in $58 billion state budget

BOSTON — Worcester legislators have been trying to hammer out a state spending plan for the new fiscal year, an item on the governor’s desk, and to bring home some bacon to support local governments, organizations and projects.

The final overall spending plan for fiscal 2025 underway was set at $58 billion by the joint committee.

That includes more than $1 billion in transportation and education spending, using money collected through the Fair Share or Millionaires Tax approved through voter referendum in 2022. All public school children in Massachusetts will benefit — $170 million to pay for universal free school meals, both breakfast and lunch included; $175 million for early childhood care and education; and $117 million to support free community college for all applicants.

On the transportation side, there's $250 million for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, including $127 million supporting the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, $63 million for debt service and $60 million to support the state Department of Transportation. The budget allocates $110 million for regional transit funding to support local authorities. That figure includes $30 million to support fare-free service.

The branches also agreed to launch an online option for purchasing lottery tickets, a move lawmakers expect to raise more than $100 million. These expected funds were earmarked to support the Commonwealth Cares for Children grants, which support early childhood care and education workers and operators.

The budget also includes a provision that allows residents to self-identify their gender with an “X” on their state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Also in the budget is a mandate that health insurers pay for treatments to preserve fertility for residents challenged by cancer.

Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, supported the amendment that will establish a special Biodiversity Trust Fund. It includes funds to purchase land, manage habitats and restore state ecological systems. Moore also supported an amendment to reimburse revenue lost from issuance of free or reduced-cost fishing and hunting licenses.

Earmarked for Worcester County municipalities and adjacent communities is more than $1.5 million that ranges from support for local emergency responders to a special fund for homeowners facing the high cost of testing their foundations for the presence of pyrrhotite, a naturally occurring mineral used to make concrete that degrades when exposed to oxygen and moisture.

Other legislators also have earmarks; read about them here .

State Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, along with GOP colleagues Rep. Paul Frost of Auburn; Rep. Donald Berthiaume of Spencer and Rep. John Marsiof Dudley, and Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne, D-Clinton, announced some $1 million in local funding. Of that, $150,000 will be directed to the New Braintree Regional Dispatch Center to pay for new radios and upgrades at the facility. The center dispatches emergency responders for Hardwick, New Braintree and the Brookfields.

The legislators also tagged funding for other emergency service providers: $50,000 for the Hardwick Fire Department, $70,000 for the Barre Fire Department for the purchase of a new pickup truck, and $60,000 for the Brookfield Police Department for building repair. The Leicester Fire Department is slated to receive $50,000 for new turnout gear.

The budget includes $66,000 to replace the Hubbardston Center School boiler.

Moore is also bringing home some bacon to Worcester County communities. Working with Durant and Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, the trio set aside $50,000 in the state budget to start a reimbursement fund for homeowners testing their foundations for pyrrhotite.

One of Moore's big beneficiaries is the EcoTarium in Worcester, slated to receive $250,000 for animal care, community programming and improving animal habitats at the facility.

Environmental concerns include $50,000 for Flint Pond patrols to enhance public safety and reduce nuisances to the public and $50,000 for tree planting in Worcester to address heat islands.

There’s $44,000 to install a new HVAC system at Blackstone Regional Valley Vocational Technical High School. The Centro Food Pantry stands to benefit with a $50,000 boost to its operating budget. The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is slated to receive $50,000. The Worcester Court Appointed Special Advocates, which provides legal representation for children involved with the courts, is slated to receive $26,000 to continue its work.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Lawmakers make sure Central Mass. not forgotten in $58 billion state budget