 | MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
|
As the Senate Committee on Ways and Means began to
craft its Fiscal Year 2005 budget, it was mindful of the struggles of our citizens,
our cities and towns, health care institutions, institutions of higher learning,
and the economic realities that we all continue to face.
Our challenge
was to present a fiscally sound and balanced budget that does not compromise the
Senate’s core values and the mission of government. I strongly believe we have accomplished this
goal, and in doing so, have strengthened the state’s fiscal footing, and continue
to lay the groundwork for a strong economic recovery.
The mission of government is to ensure, in good times
and bad, that our citizens are provided with the resources they need to live safe,
healthy, productive lives. The Senate
has once again remained true to this mission and supports the critical functions
of state government.
The economic downturn of the past three years and the
cost attributed to new increased homeland security, required the Legislature to
make significant and often unpopular changes to the way the state does business.
While budget cuts have been dramatic and difficult, we have also used this
crisis as an opportunity to streamline state government and make it more effective
and efficient for Massachusetts’ residents.
During the past three years
no one has been immune from the state’s budget crisis. Our cities and towns are struggling in regard
to funding essential local services. To
address this, the Legislature has made a commitment to maintaining local aid funding
and providing education funding at foundation level, while also increasing funding
for special education and regional school transportation.
While the Senate has made progress
in protecting core services, it has also continued its efforts to implement significant,
substantive government reforms. The Senate’s budget reflects our goal to streamline
government and make the most of the resources currently available.
In the FY05 budget, we propose
to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing state government.
Specifically, our recommendations
Ø Consolidate the various Massachusetts’
transportation agencies under one new agency, the Executive Office of Transportation.
This reform will increase efficiencies, communication, and planning, while
saving taxpayer money.
Ø Institute early childhood education
for all Massachusetts preschoolers. Thanks
to Senate President Travaglini’s long time support of children’s services we are
taking the first step to provide this essential service.
Ø Create more affordable housing
by providing financial incentives to cities and towns to create smart growth zoning
districts and implement an expedited permitting system for affordable housing
units.
Ø Address many of the problems
in the state’s health care system by implementing reforms in the Uncompensated
Care Pool, expanding MassHealth and children’s health care, funding the Prescription
Advantage program, and providing physician co-pay relief.
Ø Initiate more strict classification
requirements for convicted sex offenders and funding a pilot program for GPS tracking
for class three sex offenders.
Ø Reinforce the Senate’s commitment
to public safety by funding two new State Police classes and establishing a new
anti-terrorism unit within the State Police.
Ø Reform the state pension system
Ø Introduce administration and
management reform
The Senate has also acknowledged
that there are areas in need of legislative action that should be addressed in
separate, companion pieces to the budget. These include,
Ø School building assistance
reform
Ø Construction reform
Ø Physician co-pay reform
Ø A second economic stimulus
package
The Senate’s Fiscal Year 2005 budget is one more step
in the state’s long economic recovery process.
I am hopeful that the reforms and initiatives introduced today will have
an immediate impact on the state’s economy, and be of benefit to future legislators
who will inevitably face a similar economic downturn.
I would like to offer my thanks and gratitude to the
staff of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means for their hard work and guidance
throughout the budget process. I also
wish to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their support and input and willingness
to look at creative solutions to the state’s continued economic concerns.
Senator Therese Murray
Chairwoman