#2022-11 May 13, 2022

Senate Releases Initial FY2023 Budget

On Tuesday, Senate leaders rolled out a $49.68 billion state budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins in July, touting investments they said would help families living in deep poverty and share the state’s influx of cash with cities and towns.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee’s fiscal 2023 budget debuts below the $49.73 billion version the House passed last month after adding millions in spending through the amendment process.  It represents a $2.07 billion increase over this fiscal year’s budget and proposes to spend $1.45 billion more than the budget Governor Charlie Baker filed in January.  The Senate’s bill would also boost the balance of the state’s stabilization fund to $6.74 billion by the end of fiscal 2023, above the $6.55 billion envisioned in the House’s plan.

Major investments in the Senate’s preliminary budget plan includes $250 million to continue the Commonwealth Cares for Children stabilization grant program for early education providers through the end of this year; a boost in unrestricted general government aid beyond the level proposed by both Baker and the House; and matches the House with $6 billion in Chapter 70 aid to local schools and an increase in the per-pupil minimum aid amount from $30 to $60.  On the higher education front, it includes $175 million for scholarships, $648 million for the University of Massachusetts system, $337.8 million for community colleges and $327.1 million for state universities.  Like the House, the Senate Ways and Means Committee did not pursue Baker’s nearly $700 million tax relief package inside its budget.

The Senate Ways and Means budget also includes $15 million for local and regional boards of health, more than $200 million for substance-use treatment, and $15 million for initiatives aimed at building staff and bed capacity so that behavioral health patients are not left waiting in emergency departments for beds.

Amendments to the Senate budget are due today, Friday, and the bill is teed up for debate starting Tuesday, May 24.  

To review the Senate’s preliminary budget plan and filed amendments, click here.

Division of Banks Files Final Amendments to Licensing of Mortgage Lenders and Mortgage Bankers

The Division of Banks (Division) has filed the final amendments to 209 CMR 42.00: The Licensing of Mortgage Lenders and Mortgage Brokers, which can be accessed by clicking here.  This filing completes the regulatory process for the amendments to this regulation.

The final amendments will be effective on May 27, 2022, and copies of the amendments are also posted on the Division’s website at www.mass.gov/dob. 

Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development Holding Workforce Roadshows

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards and the Commonwealth Corporation, continues to host a series of 10 regional employer road shows through the beginning of June, with the goal of connecting employers to new and existing workforce supports from the Commonwealth.

The roadshows will be a unique opportunity to hear from MA workforce leaders and to share your perspective with them.  Attendance will vary by event, but speakers may include Lieutenant Governor Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Michael Kennealy, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Acosta, and Education Secretary Peyser, among others.

The roadshows will be hosted by workforce partners, including community colleges and vocational training institutes.  Each event will be approximately 1.5 hours and will have roughly the same agenda, which is detailed below:

Agenda

• Opening remarks by host and special guest
• Overview of Commonwealth workforce resources for employers
• Introduction to Market Makers and Business Service Representative
• Breakout Sessions
  • Market Maker / MassHire Engagement Session.
    Learn about how the MassHire system can help your company build a pipeline of skilled employees.  Meet your new Market Maker and hear how you can access more than $200M in workforce funding.
  • HireNow Workshop. 
    Learn more about the new HireNow program - you can receive $4,000 per new hire to support hiring, training and retention.
  • Workforce Development Roundtable. 
    Sit down with MA workforce leaders to share your perspective and discuss broader workforce trends in the state.
• (Optional) Tour of the facilities / meet the students

To learn more and register for the events, click here.