Wakefield Delegation Celebrates $388 Million to Address Critical Needs

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Donald Wong joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts State Legislature in passing a $388 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). This legislation funds vital programs and services that address food insecurity, housing instability, continued pandemic recovery and economic development, and more.

The bill provides $130 million for SNAP food assistance benefits to help families who were receiving enhanced SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic that were recently ended by the federal government; $68 million for the early education and childcare C3 stabilization grant program; $65 million for the continuation of universal free school meals for all students; $45 million for additional emergency shelter assistance for homeless individuals and families; and $40 million for supports for refugees and migrants.

The bill also authorizes $740 million in capital investments to support economic development across the Commonwealth. Notably, this includes $400 million for the popular MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to cities, towns, and other public entities for infrastructure projects; and $125 million for state matching funds to compete for new federal grant opportunities, including those funded through the CHIPS and Science Act, which encourage innovation in Massachusetts.

Finally, this legislation also extends initiatives that the legislature implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, including authorization for outdoor dining for restaurants and remote public meeting access.

“I’m pleased that the state legislature was able to work closely with our new governor to quickly pass this critical supplemental budget bill,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “These investments in food security, housing supports, economic development, and infrastructure are urgently needed by residents and communities in our region and across the Commonwealth.”

"The legislature’s FY23 supplemental budget ensures sufficient resources for state programs – including for food security, emergency housing, and reproductive justice – that are critical to our communities," said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. "The ongoing investment in our early education and childcare workforce grants is a personal priority for me, having heard about and seen directly the critical needs in that sector. Additionally, I was glad to join the legislature in extending a number of pandemic-era flexibilities, including hybrid participation for public meetings and outdoor dining for our restaurant establishments."

After being passed by the Senate and the House, the supplemental budget bill was signed into law by Governor Healey on March 29.