SENATOR SONIA CHANG-DÍAZ

Adult basic education courses teach basic skills of reading, writing, and math to adult learners, preparing them to take the GED and transition into a job, college or university, or training program. The increase to this item will help take hundreds of individuals off of waitlist for this life-changing service.

Currently, the Cap on Kids (or "Family Cap") denies welfare benefits to children that are conceived while a family is receiving welfare benefits. As a result, 8,700 children across the Commonwealth are being denied key supports. The Senate Budget would lift the cap on kids and provide funding starting first thing in January of 2019.

Due to the increase in charter school enrollment, the cost to districts has increased, and our state reimbursement amount should fulfill our legal promise to cover these transition costs. The Senate budget increases the Charter School Reimbursement line item by $17 million to prevent more resources from being unfairly diminished for district school students.

The Senate budget establishes a trust fund to support youth programming, wraparound services, and capital safety upgrades at schools and local housing authorities. The trust fund would receive funding through a $1000/firearm fine on illegal gun trafficking and by redirecting $10 from existing firearm license fees.

Schools across Massachusetts are struggling with budget cuts year after year. As a state, we also face one of the three worst achievement gaps in the country. We need to live up to our core values and devote the resources to provide every student with a quality education. The Senate Ways & Means proposal raises our overall investment in K-12 education by raising the base "Chapter 70" funding by $160 million over last year, with a particular focus on increasing investment in districts that serve high populations of English language learners.

METCO is a voluntary school desegregation program that expands educational opportunity by allowing Boston, Springfield, and suburban students to attend school together in the participating suburban districts. The allotment to cover student transportation, however, had not seen an increase since 2008 - forcing districts to pull money from classroom services to cover it. This amendment increases funding by $1.5 million to cover the transportation deficit.

The RAFT program provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are recently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This funding helps prevent homelessness and the need for shelter, allowing families to get back up on their feet. The Senate budget increases funding for RAFT by $3.5 million over last year.

The Senate budget establishes a commission to regularly review state-level corporate tax credits. The Commission will make recommendations to the legislature about whether the credits are living up to their economic development promises, and whether they should be extended, modified, or mothballed. This consistent review will help make sure we're using tax dollars as intentionally, transparently, and effectively as voters should expect.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has proven to be an effective solution for addressing poverty. The Senate budget increases the state EITC from 23% to 30% of the federal EITC. This means the tax credit for low-income families and individuals will increase by $65 million and up to $450 per family.

The MCC provides important funding and support for artists and programs to develop our local and national culture, contribute to our state’s economy, and expand the way we see the world.

This amendment protects all Massachusetts residents by ensuring that state and local resources are focused on preventing and intervening in violent crime, not used for federal immigration enforcement. It will also block Massachusetts from participating in any Muslim Registry. These measures will help increase the critical trust relationship between police and community residents.