Sen. DiDomenico secures millions in the final Senate 2025 Budget

Benefits cities, programs and residents in Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelsea and Everett

On May 23, 2024, Assistant Majority Leader Senator Sal DiDomenico and his Massachusetts Senate colleagues unanimously approved a $57,999 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Following robust and spirited debate, the Senate adopted several of Senator DiDomenico’s amendments, adding millions of dollars in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities that will directly benefit constituents in his district and residents around the Commonwealth. The budget builds on the Senate’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while delivering historic levels of investment in every level of education, regional equity, and mental health, reflecting the Chamber’s commitment to creating a more affordable, equitable and competitive Commonwealth. Senator DiDomenico’s amendments mandate supporting working families by expanding access to food, clothing, quality education and workforce training.

“This budget is a victory for people of all backgrounds and income levels in my district and throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator DiDomenico. “I am proud to bring millions of dollars to my district for organizations and programs that provide vital services for our residents. These investments will create new opportunities for people of all ages in our communities, support projects that will improve lives and ensure all our children can build the bright futures they deserve.”

A Conference Committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the versions of the budget passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.

Statewide DiDomenico Amendments

• $3.5 million to expand the annual clothing allowance for low-income families, giving families $500 per child to purchase the clothes they need every year
• $250,000 for operations services for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program; Senator DiDomenico also successfully advocated for the $42 million that was included for food services in this program
• $300,000 for Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston to provide basic workforce and skills training, employment services and job re-entry support to older workers
• Require the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to gather data on sex & relationship education in our schools. This will help our state government understand how we can best support our schools to ensure our children have the information they need to protect their health and form respectful relationships.

Some local DiDomenico Amendments

• $25,000 for the Eliot Family Resource Center for comprehensive community-based services and resources
• $25,000 for La Comunidad to support community programming and services
• $25,000 to the Everett Haitian Community Center for community programming, resources and services
• $50,000 for the music program at Everett High School
• $25,000 to the Everett Public Schools for student-led environmental initiatives
• $25,000 for Girls on the Run Greater Boston to provide social-emotional learning and physical activity curriculum to elementary and middle school-aged girls in the cities of Chelsea, Everett, and Cambridge, and in Charlestown
• $25,000 to For Kids Only Afterschool for a pilot workforce development program to support programming for low-income and at-risk children and educators

As the Commonwealth adjusts to a changing economic landscape and ongoing tax revenue volatility, the FY25 budget adheres to disciplined and responsible fiscal stewardship. It does not raise taxes, nor does it draw down available reserves from the Stabilization Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund, while at the same time judicially utilizing one-time resources to maintain balance.

The Senate’s budget continues responsible and sustainable planning for the future by continuing to grow the “Rainy Day Fund,” which is already at a historic high of over $8 billion. The Senate’s proposal would build the Commonwealth’s reserves to a healthy balance in excess of $9 billion at the close of FY25.