Record investments for Malden as Mass. Legislature finalizes FY23 Budget

  On July 18, State Representatives Steven Ultrino, Paul Donato and Kate Lipper-Garabedian and State Senator Jason Lewis voted to enact the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, H.5050, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2023 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements. The budget was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and was delivered to the Governor on July 18. He has 10 days to review it and send amendments and/or vetoes, or sign it, leaving the legislature the ability to override or overrule his actions before formal sessions end on July 31.

  The $52.7 billion spending bill will address immediate needs in the Commonwealth and focuses on sustainable long-term investments to help our economy continue its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation also makes major investments in areas like workforce development, food insecurity and early education and care.

  This year the Malden delegation secured a record amount of $835,000 for Malden-based nonprofit organizations, local programs and initiatives and the City of Malden. Additionally, Representative Ultrino’s office was proud to be House sponsor of the amendment allocating $1,000,000 to establishing the New American Voters Grant program, which was included in the final budget and supported by the Malden delegation. The program will allow municipalities and community-based nonprofit organizations across the Commonwealth to expand language access services and assist voter outreach.

  As a result of the hard work and efforts of advocates, community organizations and Malden legislators, the final budget includes several key investments for our community:

  • $100,000 for the improvement of Malden parks and open spaces

  • $75,000 for Malden’s Language Access Services, including translation of city websites, documents and reports; and developing language style guides for non-romance languages

  • $25,000 for new rescue equipment for the Malden Fire Department

  • $100,000 for the programs and operations of Housing Families Inc. in Malden

  • $100,000 for the Coalition for Anti-Racism and Equity (CARE) and the Commonwealth Seminar for the Leadership Next Generation Fellowship Program, which allows high school and college students from underrepresented communities to learn civic engagement & leadership tools and to gain exposure to government

  • $125,000 for Portal To Hope’s domestic abuse support and assistance programs

  • $50,000 for Action for Boston Community Development’s Mobile Homelessness Outreach Team

  • $60,000 for the Chinese Culture Connection to improve their information technology infrastructure

  • $200,000 for Triangle’s School to Career Program

  “I am excited to see this record amount of funding for our community included in the final budget,” said Representative Ultrino. “These investments will support a huge variety of programs and services in Malden that help those in need from our community. I am proud to have worked with my Malden colleagues to secure these funds…”

  “The passing of the 2023 budget comes at a critical time for the Commonwealth,” said Representative Donato. “The bill will provide support for a variety of initiatives such as green energy, public safety, infrastructure development and much more in Malden and the rest of the commonwealth. I look forward to seeing the results of this excellent legislation.”

  “I am proud to support a FY23 budget that makes significant investments in state programs and resources to support our communities and that includes critical policies – like banning child marriage and extending the free school meals program for the 2022-23 school year – to strengthen the Commonwealth,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “I’m thrilled that the final budget includes $835,000 for the City of Malden and local nonprofits, local initiatives I was glad to champion with the full Malden delegation.”

  “I’m excited that this budget will help continue the Commonwealth’s recovery from the pandemic, with substantial investments in education, local aid, affordable housing, healthcare, and many other critical areas,” said Senator Lewis. “I’m especially pleased that our state delegation was able to work closely together to also secure funding for a number of important local Malden priorities.”

  “I am once again grateful to Malden’s Legislative Delegation for their commitment to our community in key areas such as housing, public safety, language access and open space,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I also appreciate their dedication in meeting with me every few months to make sure that our priorities align, and I look forward to our continued work together in the future.”