Senator: Critical District Needs Were Addressed in State Budget

Senator: Critical district needs were addressed in state budget

By Senator Dean Tran

UPDATED: 06/18/2018 09:01:30 AM EDT

I am very proud to have represented the interests of the Worcester Middlesex district during this year's budget session, and whether it is through the budget or legislative process, my priority will always be serving the needs of the people in my district.

The budget invests in critical areas related to education, local aid, health and human services, housing and tools for low-income families while limiting the use of one-time revenue sources and directing $88.5 million to the state's Stabilization Fund. I worked diligently to ensure that the Massachusetts Senate FY19 budget addressed important funding gaps in education and public safety. I supported $4.91 billion for the Chapter 70 budget formula to bring it to its highest funding level ever. The budget also continues to phase in the Foundation Budget Review Commission recommendations. I am a proud product of public schools, and I will continue to fight to ensure high-quality education for all students.

I successfully advocated for investments in aging infrastructure at senior centers and new funding for elder care and supported renewed funding for our first responders to have the tools they need to do their job. I supported a renewal of the Naloxone bulk purchasing trust fund, voted in support of organizations like Onsite Academy to ensure that our bravest can get the help they need, and voted to create new funding mechanisms for police training.

The completion of the Senate budget on May 25 was the culmination of five months of meetings with municipal stakeholders, including selectmen and women, mayors, town administrators, school superintendents, and fire and police chiefs to meet their specific budget needs. I am happy to announce that I passed 11 amendments totaling $600,000 in needed funds to make sure my district has the resources it needs. This funding will go towards projects that help to address some of my most significant issues such as education, public safety, and infrastructure.

Some examples of these projects and funding I secured were:

1. $30,000 for general renovations to Pulaski Park in conjunction with a wholesale upgrade of the park including the addition of a new grant-funded dog park.

2. $25,000 for an irrigation system and well at the Berlin Community Garden.

3. $25,000 for Sterling E-Permitting implementation to create a more efficient town government and improve customer service for developers and residents.

4. $130,000 for Turkey Hill School Asbestos Abatement and Ceiling Replacement Project to abate asbestos in this elementary school and prepare for renovation to classrooms and additional space.

5. $103,000 for Renovations to the Fitchburg YMCA

6. $100,000 for the MWCC STEM Program

7. $18,000 for a Utility Task Vehicle in the Town of Berlin. The Vehicle would be used for remote search and rescues, transport patients, and transport equipment and personnel to remote wildfires.

8. $41,000 to Flats Mentor Farm for Capacity Building and Organizational Program Development to increase local food production and distribution in eastern and central Massachusetts.

9. $50,000 for a feasibility study for Public Safety in the town of Westminster.

10. $7,100 for a Veterans Memorial in the Town of Townsend.

11. $40,000 for the Leominster Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival.

12. $30,000 for Fitchburg Civic Days, one of the largest and last parades in the region.

I am proud of our work in the Senate, and I look forward to my continued service to the Worcester Middlesex District.