Governor Baker Files FY2020 Supplemental Budget Request for MBTA, PFAS Testing, Education
On January 3, 2020, Gov. Charlie Baker filed a $74.2 million spending bill (H.4285) with the Legislature that seeks appropriations that were not included in the recently-passed FY2019 supplemental budget package.
According to the administration, $18M in additional funding for the MBTA would supplement $32M granted by the Legislature in the FY2019 closeout budget and enable the hiring of staff "to expedite the completion of capital projects, enable proactive inspections to detect and address safety and reliability issues before they impact service, and implement enhanced maintenance procedures to ensure the reliable operation of MBTA vehicles and infrastructure."
Governor Baker is also seeking $10M for the Twenty-First Century Education Trust Fund and $4.2M to test drinking water for potential polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.
The bill also calls for $16.3M in connection with unspecified collective bargaining agreements; $12.3M for hospitals to cover care costs associated with uninsured and underinsured patients; $5.4M for service improvements for men who are civilly committed for substance use treatment; $5M to support high school students in early college programs; and $3M for the Community Compact program that offers state grants to cities and towns.