[Massachusetts-NFB] Fiscal Year 2025 H.2 Budget Update

[Massachusetts Commission for the Blind]

Dear Community Partners and Stakeholders, The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is pleased to report Governor Maura Healey filed her Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget recommendation on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. EOHHS FY25 H.2 Budget Overview Slide Deck Governor Healey's budget recommendation, filed as House 2 (H.2), funds MCB at $28,261,938, which is a $1,263,591 or 4.28% decreased compared to the Fiscal Year 2024 GAA. The decrease is due to the removal of legislative earmarks in the line items Community Services for the Blind (4110-1000) and Massachusetts Audio Information Network (4100-1010) which combined totaled $2,200,000. The Governor's FY25 H.2 budget recommendation for MCB is a $1,186,409 or 4.38% increase compared to her FY24 H.1 budget recommendation. The increase maintains our existing staff and provider workforce through annualizing collecting bargaining agreements and provider rate increases. In addition, the Governor included $250,000 to support an earmark filed by the Legislature last fiscal year for MCB to hire additional social rehabilitation counselors and rehabilitation teachers. The Governor's H.2 budget recommendation also fully funds our DeafBlind Extended Supports (DBES) consumers in the Turning 22 Program and Services (4100-2000) line item. To be clear, this is NOT the final enacted budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins on July 1, 2024. The annual budget process begins when the Governor files her budget recommendation as a bill with the House of Representatives. Next, the House Committee on Ways and Means will review the Governor's budget recommendation before releasing its own recommendations which the full House will deliberate. Before the House releases its budget recommendations, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means will hold budget hearings across the state. Commissioner Oliveira will testify at one of the hearings on behalf of MCB. Budget Process Timeline Massachusetts Budget Process MCB is pleased to be in a positive financial position and optimistic about FY25. Thank you for your continued support of our mission to provide individualized training, education, and empowerment to people who are legally blind, and advocate for inclusive policies across the Commonwealth, with the goal of life-long independence and full community participation. At MCB, we envision a Commonwealth where all residents who are legally blind are empowered to live a fulfilling and independent life, with opportunities to work and thrive. I will provide additional updates as warranted. Sincerely, Sheila Tunney Chief Financial Officer Massachusetts Commission for the Blind   Massachusetts Commission for the Blind | 600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111 Unsubscribe massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by mcbinfo at mass.gov
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