Malden delegation secures $600K for city and local organizations

  State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steven Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian have secured $600,000 in funding earmarks for the City of Malden as part of the state budget process. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) state budget that was enacted by the House and Senate on July 9 and is now before Governor Charlie Baker for his review. The budget represents a compromise spending plan that reconciles the differences between earlier versions of the budget approved by the House in April and the Senate in May.

  This budget maintains fiscal responsibility, does not cut services and makes targeted investments to address emerging needs, safeguard the health and wellness of the most vulnerable populations and ensure residents will benefit equitably as the state recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget fully funds the Legislature’s commitment to implementing Student Opportunity Act public school funding increases. It includes substantial investments in labor, workforce and economic development and supports working families by addressing the increasing costs of caregiving for low-income families – converting the existing tax deductions for young children, elderly or disabled dependents and business-related dependent care expenses into refundable tax credits. In addition, the FY22 state budget funds a variety of statewide priorities and initiatives, including local aid, housing and food security, mental health and substance use disorder intervention and treatment, and public health.

  Several local initiatives are funded in the budget for Malden, including:

• $70,000 to support Malden ARTLine
• $50,000 for mental and behavioral health training and clinical consultation to support the Malden Police Department
• $50,000 for rescue equipment for the Malden Fire Department
• $50,000 for the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition to establish an Asian Community Center in Malden
• $100,000 for Bread of Life to support anti-hunger efforts
• $75,000 to develop a Master Plan for Fellsmere Park
• $105,000 for the Housing Families Inc. (HFI) Pro Bono Legal Services program
• $100,000 for HFI’s Homeless Children support program

  Several city leaders commented on the funding:

  “With significant investments in our public schools, local aid, affordable housing, public health, workforce development and more, this budget will go a long way to helping our communities recover from the pandemic,” said Lewis. “I’m particularly pleased that our delegation was also able to secure state funding for a number of important local priorities in Malden.”

  “Last week, my colleagues and I were able to secure earmarks funding for the city of Malden. The funding is included in the 2022 fiscal year budget and will go to emergency services, our city’s arts programs, essential social services, and more. This investment signifies an important step in building Malden to be stronger than ever as we come out of a year that was so difficult for so many,” Donato said. “Malden is a resilient, vibrant city and I’m excited to see the results of this important funding at work in the community.”

  “I am pleased to say that the investments made in this budget not only addresses the needs of our most vulnerable communities, both here in Malden and across the Commonwealth, but it will ensure that no one is left behind in our road to recovery,” said Ultrino. “This budget will help us develop a strong foundation towards rebuilding an equitable economy for families, businesses and communities throughout Massachusetts in the coming year.”

  “As a statement of what we value as a Commonwealth, the FY22 budget reflects comprehensive attention to supporting residents through the pandemic recovery, with significant support for housing and food security and public health resources; ongoing prioritization in areas like public education, local aid, and workforce development; and prudent savings directed to our rainy day fund,” said Lipper-Garabedian. “I’m also thrilled that the budget includes significant funding for various Malden departments as well as critical community partners like Bread of Life and Housing Families.”

  “Thank you to our state delegation for their continued commitment to fund initiatives that are important to Malden,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “From assisting our community partners to address housing, food insecurity and establishing an Asian community center to enhancing public safety and supporting the arts and restoration of a historic park, these earmarks touch upon a wide array of areas that will significantly impact the quality of life for many of our residents.”

  “Housing Families is incredibly grateful to Senator Lewis, Representative Donato, Representative Ultrino, and Representative Lipper-Garabedian for their continued advocacy on behalf of our organization’s work,” said HFI CEO Laura Rosi. “With funding for our GREAT Youth and Families Program and Homelessness Prevention and Legal Services Program, Housing Families will be able to serve more than 600 families with therapeutic and academic services as well as homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and legal services. Our legislative delegation’s support of our work, especially throughout the pandemic, has been invaluable to our ability to partner with our community members to address and prevent housing instability.”

  “Malden Arts is extremely grateful for this funding. With so many local residents and businesses having had an unusually difficult year, Malden Arts did not feel fundraising for Phase 2 of the ARTLine was an option,” said Malden Arts President Naomi Brave. “This generous funding will allow Malden Arts to move forward with Phase 2 of the ARTLine, providing the residents of Malden a safe outdoor space to recreate and gather. It will also attract visitors to Malden to see the unusual beauty of the trail, providing much-needed revenue for local businesses.”

  “We are elated that our Malden delegation has secured this significant funding earmark for Bread of Life,” said Bread of Life Executive Director Gabriella Snyder Stelmack. “These funds will help build the food security infrastructure in Malden by enabling Bread of Life to complete construction of a new central food distribution facility encompassing a food pantry warehouse, superette-style food distribution center and dining facility. This center will ensure that local families and children receive nutritious and healthy food now and well into the future. We are extremely grateful to Senator Jason Lewis and Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian for their advocacy for food security and equity.”