EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Financial Overview

The Fiscal Year 2009 House Ways and Means recommendations for the Commonwealth’s operating budget include appropriations totaling $27.99 billion.  In drafting this proposal, the Committee has urged fiscal restraint in the face of slowing revenue collections and economic concerns both within the Commonwealth and throughout the nation.  The Committee’s cautious outlook is the result of careful consideration of the testimony of noted economists, analysis of tax revenue collections, and more recently, various economic indicators that speak to the uncertainty surrounding the growth of our economy in the coming year.

The Committee’s recommendations maintain important programs and services while investing prudently in other initiatives to strengthen specific industries and promote continued economic growth in the Commonwealth.  The recommendations in the following pages use a combination of controlled spending growth, new revenue initiatives and measured use of reserve funds to present a balanced FY09 budget proposal.

The House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, along with the Executive Office of Administration and Finance have agreed to a consensus revenue estimate of $20.987 billion in tax revenues to be available for Fiscal Year 2009 expenditures.  In order to provide the funding necessary for continued support of government programs, the Committee recommends including $345.1M in revenue generating proposals.  After accounting for the transfers of dedicated tax revenues the House Ways and Means Committee has $18.4 billion in tax revenues for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2009.  The consensus tax revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 are listed in the table below along with proposed changes to tax laws.

As growth in annual revenues has lagged behind natural growth in important programs, the House Ways and Means Committee has undertaken the challenge of resolving the gap between revenues and expenditures by making difficult choices.  Only after careful consideration of efficiencies on the spending side of the ledger has the House Ways and Means Committee recommended using a calculated withdrawal from state reserves.  The combination of these proposals allows the Committee to recommend a budget that is both balanced and practical.  Its use of reserves, as well as targeted revenue generating proposals, strike a balance between allowing the Commonwealth to support programs in the near-term while upholding the Legislature’s commitment to fostering economic growth.

State Administration

State administrative offices are charged with maintaining the Commonwealth’s cash-flow, overseeing revenue collections, providing health insurance for municipal and state employees, and representing the Commonwealth’s legal interests.  In developing its budget recommendations the House Ways and Means Committee closely analyzed the policies and budgets for these entities to encourage savings while maintaining levels of programs and services provided by these offices. 

• Provided an additional $1.8M to the Department of Revenue for encrypted cigarette stamps and for costs associated with other revenue enforcement efficiencies;
• Restructured state employees’ health insurance contributions through the Group Insurance Commission saving an estimated $57M when compared to the current contribution ratios;
• Included a $1M retained revenue line item to cover implementation costs associated with bringing municipalities onto the GIC; and
• Fully funded all FY09 debt service obligations.

Local Aid

The House Ways and Means budget recommendations maintain the longstanding commitment of this Committee to a strong partnership with our cities and towns.  In the face of considerable fiscal pressure, the Committee provides an increase in Chapter 70 aid for all school districts as well as a significant contribution to cities and towns through Lottery funding.

The Committee recognizes that the Lottery, despite impressive recent growth, will not increase at a rate sufficient to maintain current levels of local aid.  The Committee goes beyond the statutory obligation to local aid by allocating $124M from the General Fund to be dispersed through the Lottery distribution formula in order to ensure level funding of unrestricted local aid to all cities and towns.

The Committee remains committed to the Massachusetts School Building Authority and its efforts to assist municipalities and regions with the building and improving of local schools.  As of the current fiscal year the School Building Authority has begun all projects on the waitlist, lifted a standing moratorium and begun a new series of projects that will provide enhanced educational environments to thousands of students.

The Committee also increases Chapter 70 distribution by $223M.  This increase represents the third year of a five year commitment to enhance distribution equity among districts of similar wealth and income while maintaining a commitment to fair distribution of educational resources.  The increase to Chapter 70 places the total amount distributed through the formula at just under $4 billion—the highest such distribution ever made by the Commonwealth.  This effort is the hallmark of the Legislature’s historic education reform effort. 

The Committee continues an extraordinary 15 year history of significant investment in public school districts and students.  The recommendations ensure that all children, including those in less affluent districts, continue to benefit from per pupil spending levels comparable to those in districts with greater financial means.

• Provided an increase of $223M in Chapter 70 school aid;
• Supplemented Lottery collections with $124M from the General Fund in order to level fund Lottery distribution at $935M;
• Level funded Additional Assistance; and
• Maintained support for Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes.

Libraries

The Committee continues to recognize the valuable contribution libraries make to cities, regions, and the Commonwealth as a whole.  Its recommendations maintain funding for state aid to regional and municipal libraries to provide support to local libraries.  The Committee maintains its commitment to provide all citizens of the Commonwealth with access to library services through increased funding for the Worcester Talking Book Library and the Talking Book and Machine Lending Agency at the Perkins School.  These programs offer crucial library services to blind, deaf, disabled and elderly communities throughout the Commonwealth.  The Committee’s budget recommendations uphold the commitment to libraries and the Board of Library Commissioners.

• Provided a $271K increase for state aid to regional libraries to help regional public libraries with rising costs;
• Provided a $200K increase for technology and automated resource sharing networks to support the funding of licensed electronic content; and
• Provided a $137K increase for the Talking Book and Machine Lending Agency at the Perkins School.  $50K of the increase will go towards expansion of the Newsline program. 

Early Education and Care

The Department of Early Education and Care has made great strides since its inception, and the Committee is committed to fostering the continued development of this agency.  The Committee budget maintains widespread financial support for early education programs as well as several targeted investments to ensure all Massachusetts children receive a high-quality education. 

The Committee provides a forty percent increase for the universal pre-kindergarten grant program that will continue to enhance the quality of existing classrooms.  This program provides an opportunity for young students to benefit from crucial learning experiences before they begin kindergarten.

The Committee also reaffirms its commitment to helping needy families find affordable, high-quality child care.  Its recommendations significantly increase funding for children in the custody of the  Department of Social Services, as well as for children of families who receive or recently received  Transition Assistance.

The Committee’s budget recommendations account for the need to ensure quality of service is maintained as efforts to increase access to early education and care continue.  The recommendations promote such quality by continuing to fund programs that support accreditation and professional development for child care providers.

• Provided a $3M increase to the universal pre-kindergarten grants program;
• Provided an additional $30.8M for child care vouchers to families to enable transition from assistance to work;
• Provided an additional $11.8M for supportive child care to ensure that no children with open cases of abuse and neglect will be without child care services;
• Provided additional funding for the Healthy Families program;
• Maintained funding for professional development, quality expenditures, and mental health consultation; and
• Maintained funding for the Massachusetts Family Network, Parent-Child Home Program, and Reach Out and Read.

Education

Despite financial constraints engendered by the current fiscal situation, the Committee reaffirms its commitment to public schools by directing funds to those programs that demonstrate the greatest need and those with a proven record of success.  The Committee continues funding for many successful grant programs currently administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides targeted increases to programs contributing to overall student success and supports the Department’s efforts to ensure quality and accountability in our educational system.  The Committee further strives to increase student achievement by providing additional funding for extended learning time grants and afterschool programs, both of which afford educational and enrichment opportunities to supplement students’ learning experiences outside of the normal school day. 

The Committee continues to fund those grant programs that have greatly contributed to teacher improvement and quality.  Such programs include the English language acquisition grant program, early literacy intervention programs and professional development programs specifically targeted for principals and superintendents.

The Committee’s education investments continue to support teacher and student success by ensuring quality and accountability in public elementary and secondary education.  By fully funding the Chapter 70 increase and targeting effective investments in education programs, this budget will further advance the Bay State’s national standing as the steward of a first-rate, high-quality educational system.

• Provided a $223M increase to fund the Chapter 70 formula for the support of local and district schools;
• Provided a 25% increase to afterschool programs to provide students a structured and productive environment after the school day;
• Provided a $2.5M increase for extended learning time grants to serve an additional 1,900 students;
• Provided a $4.3M increase to fully fund the charter school reimbursement set forth in statute;  
• Provided a $1.6M increase to MCAS student and school assessment to fund contractual obligations;
• Provided a $5.8M increase to fully fund statutory obligations to the Special Education Circuit Breaker;
• Consolidated $2.5M of funding for leadership training for principals and superintendents to ensure more efficient operation of this key program; and
• Increased funding for the Targeted Intervention program by $1M to assist schools in need of rehabilitation.

Higher Education

While the Committee makes targeted investments in early, elementary, and secondary education, it also recognizes the importance of higher education.  Its recommendations recognize that support for community and state colleges, as well as the University of Massachusetts, translates into direct benefits for students, professors and economic growth in the Commonwealth.  The Committee distributes higher education funds in a fair, consistent manner through the higher education formula and continues to fund scholarship programs that make college more affordable for Massachusetts residents.  The Committee’s appropriations for higher education underscore its commitment to proper educational support for the Bay State’s youth from pre-kindergarten through college.

• Provided a $24.2M increase to University of Massachusetts as provided for in the higher education formula;
• Provided a $13.4M increase to state and community colleges as provided for in the higher education formula;
• Provided a $200K increase to the Tufts veterinary program to allow for discounts for Commonwealth students to attend veterinary college;
• Provided a $441K increase to the scholarship line item to enhance current scholarship opportunities; and
• Established funding for the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management to provide greater understanding of municipal finances.       

Health and Human Services

With 17 executive agencies, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) provides a wide array of services to the citizens of the Commonwealth including health care to low-income families, ensuring the welfare and safety of children, protecting the public health of the Commonwealth, providing support services to disabled and mentally ill citizens and temporary economic assistance for vulnerable citizens.  In light of these important responsibilities the Committee’s budget recommendations allow for agencies within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to continue providing these critical needs despite a difficult fiscal environment.

• Provided $23M for EOHHS to provide salary increases for direct care providers to ensure continued quality of care and retention of human service providers; and
• Provided $25M for coordinated behavioral health services for children to comply with the Rosie D decision.

Office of Medicaid

The Commonwealth’s Medicaid program, known as MassHealth, provides essential healthcare services to over 1 million residents of Massachusetts.  In FY09 the Committee allocates $8.5B to fund an estimated 2.3% increase in enrollment and 5.6% increase in total Medicaid growth.  The Committee’s budget recommendations fully fund the Chapter 58 healthcare reform law and continue to ensure access to quality healthcare for all MassHealth clients.

• Provided $667M to fund benefit expansions, eligibility expansions and provider rate increases mandated by Chapter 58;
• Provided $869M for Commonwealth Care to fund increased enrollment in the program;
• Provided $453M for the Health Safety Net Trust Fund;
• Provided $160M in Section 122 Payments to Safety Net Providers; and
• Provided $225M in Hospital and Physician rate increases.

Elder Affairs

The Committee reaffirms its commitment to the Bay State’s senior citizens through funding of programs that ensure the availability of care in appropriate settings.  To meet this goal these budget recommendations fund community and home based programs to provide seniors with the necessary supports required for independent living.  The Committee also demonstrates its support for family caregivers through supportive programs that provide information and resources.

• Provided $106M for the Home Care Program to assist elders with personal and supportive services allowing them to remain in the community;

• Provided $57M to ensure Prescription Advantage will continue to provide financial assistance to senior citizens who struggle to afford necessary prescription drugs;
• Provided $225K for mental health services to the elderly;
• Provided $253K for services to assist family caregivers as they provide care for seniors living at home; and
• Provided $6.3M for 9 million meals to ensure seniors receive the nutrition they need.

Department of Public Health

The Committee remains dedicated to the health concerns of those most in need.  Aware that the number of individuals served by the Department of Public Health increases annually, this budget continues to dedicate funds to support a wide spectrum of programs encompassing care, education and prevention.  Promoting health is an ongoing task to which the Committee remains committed through funding of substance abuse services, early intervention services, cancer screenings, domestic violence prevention and a universal immunization program. 

• Increased the cap on the Early Intervention retained revenue account by $1M;
• Increased funding for the Early Intervention program by $3.7M;
• Provided an increase of over $1.7M for Substance Abuse Services;
• Provided an increase of over $484K for School Health Services;
• Increased cap on the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) retained revenue account by $2.6M;
• Increased funding by $2.8M for the Universal Immunization Program; and
• Increased funding by $8.1M for Public Health Hospital Operations.

Department of Youth Services

The House Committee on Ways and Means is dedicated to protecting the public, preventing crime and turning troubled youths towards a brighter future.  Part of this challenge is met through adequate funding of the Department of Youth Services (DYS), the juvenile justice agency of Massachusetts.  DYS operates foster care and day reporting centers, residential services for committed youth and pre-trial residential services for youth awaiting trial.
 

• Provided $22M for foster care and day reporting centers to aid youth not committed to the Department;
• Provided $25M for pre-trial residential centers for youths accused of crimes but not committed to the Department;
• Provided $105M for Departmental residential services to keep dangerous and convicted youth off the streets; and
• Provided $3.3M for teacher salary enhancements to bring DYS teachers’ salaries more in line with their public school counterparts.

Department of Social Services

The House Ways and Means budget recommendations provide for a $33.7M overall increase over FY08 to ensure funding for services including case coordination, therapeutic supports, family counseling, adoption, guardianship, residential placements and the Family Networks Initiative.  The Family Networks Initiative is designed to maintain permanency in existing family structures and avoid residential placement of a child through the implementation of intensive family supports and counseling. 

• Increased funding for services for children and families by $19.9M;
• Increased funding for social workers and case management services by $10M;
• Provided an additional $5M for the creation of a new line item for the improvement of service delivery in order to address concerns over child safety and welfare; and
• Fully funded foster care review services established to assess the well being of children placed in foster custody.

Department of Mental Health

The Department of Mental Health serves 24,000 adults, adolescents and children suffering from chronic mental illness through the provision of residential, clinical, vocational, and rehabilitation services.  The House Ways and Means FY09 budget recommendations appropriate $13.8M to maintain administrative costs and support services that assist individuals in working, living and participating in their communities. 

• Increased funding for state psychiatric hospitals and community mental health centers by $7.4M;
• Provided an additional $5.6M to maintain the delivery of adult community mental health services; and
• Continued court-ordered forensic services funding, clinical and residential services for chronically homeless DMH clients and residential placements and case management services for adolescents and children with mental illness.

Department of Mental Retardation

The Department of Mental Retardation provides day activity and employment services, transportation, family respite support, case management and community-based and intensive residential services to over 32,000 mentally disabled consumers annually.  The House Ways and Means budget recommendations increase overall funding by $41M.  The vendor operated residential and day community services are allocated a $21.3M increase to support programs that promote independent living and participation within the community.  Funding levels support maintenance of family support and respite services which enable consumers to reside in their homes.

• Increased funding for community based adult day and work programs by $6.2M;
• Provided an increase of $5.5M for administrative costs of the Department;
• Increased funding for state operated community based residential services by $5.2M; and
• Increased funding for residential facilities by $4.5M over FY08.

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is the primary disability agency serving the more than 35,000 legally blind citizens of Massachusetts.  MCB provides independent living based supports to the blind community.

• The Committee recommends the consolidation of funding for Turning 22 residential and day community services; and
• Provided $30M in funding to maintain services that promote accessibility and independence for legally blind consumers.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission  

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission serves the disabled community in the Commonwealth, working in cooperation with various agencies to coordinate vocational rehabilitation, independent living and homemaking services for its consumers.

• Increased vocational rehabilitation services by $2.7M to promote the Commission’s objective of assisting consumers in obtaining and retaining employment; and
• Fully funded rehabilitative services for disabled consumers in need of supports.

Department of Veterans’ Services

Ensuring that Bay State veterans receive the attention, care and assistance they deserve has become more challenging, but never more important, in recent years as a result of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Committee’s recommendations provide for outreach programs, homeless veterans assistance, benefits, annuity payments and maintenance funding for the Commonwealth’s two Soldiers’ Homes.

• Provided over $18M in funding for annuity payments to disabled veterans and their families;
• Provided over $47M in direct funding for the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers Homes to help displaced and ailing soldiers;
• Provided over $20.9M in funding for veterans benefits; and
• Provided full funding of $2.3M for the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans.

Department of Transitional Assistance

The Committee’s recommendations ensure that the Department of Transitional Assistance receives sufficient funding to serve the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable families and individuals in a way that promotes independence and long-term self-sufficiency.  The Committee fully funds all programs that support food assistance, job assistance, cash assistance and emergency shelter.

• Provided $302.7M for TAFDC Grant Payments which provide cash assistance to income eligible families;
• Provided $220.4M for State Supplemental to Supplemental Security Income which provide cash assistance to individuals receiving supplemental security income;
• Provided an increase of $4.9M to fund caseload growth in Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children which provides cash assistance to income eligible individuals;
• Provided an increase of $3.5M for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and Services to maintain emergency shelters for homeless families;
• Provided an increase of $341K for Homeless Individuals Assistance to maintain emergency shelters for homeless individuals;
• Provided $2.9M for Food Stamp Participation Rate Programs to fight hunger in the Commonwealth; and
• Provided $1.2M for the development and implementation of a Supplemental Nutrition Program to improve the work participation rate under the program of Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children.

 Judiciary

The Committee’s recommendation of $816.7M for the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Trial Court and all other judicial agencies provides sufficient funding for the many challenges faced in maintaining an efficient Judicial branch.  This recommendation represents a $46.4M increase from Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations.  The Committee recognizes the Commonwealth’s need for judicial process to be administered in a fair, but also fiscally responsible manner.  Therefore, it provides funding necessary to maintain and improve the delivery of justice in the Commonwealth. The Committee further recommends funding increases for CPCS to negate the need for supplemental funding later in the fiscal year, and to generate savings through use of the public defender division.

• Provided an additional $1.3M for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to expand civil legal services across the Commonwealth;
• Expanded Appeals Court staff to support its 25 justices;
• Funded the Trial Court at $598.6M, an additional $18.7M over Fiscal Year 2008;
• Provided the Chief Justice of Administration and Management an additional $3M in retained revenue funding to enhance managerial efficiency;
• Increased funding for the Office of the Commissioner of Probation by $3.1M to increase use of GPS tracking of probationers; and
• Funded CPCS at $181M to support all anticipated costs associated with the Commonwealth’s public counsel system.

Public Safety & Homeland Security

The Committee acknowledges the importance of public safety programs throughout the Commonwealth and fully funds all state law enforcement, corrections, and safety programs.  The Committee’s recommendations make investments in crime prevention, investigation, enforcement and prosecutorial efforts.

• Increased Department of Correction funding by $54M to fully fund collective bargaining increases, implement recommendations of the Hayes Report and maintain correctional institutions;
• Increased State Police funding by $7.6M;
• Provided $21.3M in funding for the state’s successful community policing program to assist law enforcement efforts;
• Provided over $472M in direct funding for the operations of the 14 Sheriff’s departments in Massachusetts;
• Appropriated an additional $2M collectively for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the State Police Crime Lab;
• Appropriated $2.3M for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA);
• Provided over $20M in appropriations for the Parole Board;
• Appropriated $6.6M for the Criminal History Systems Board for the efficient operation of programs such as CORI and CJIS; and
• Provided over $3.4M for solders’ education tuition and fee waivers as funded through the Military Division.

District Attorneys

• Provided an increase of $4.8M in direct funding for the Commonwealth’s 11 District Attorney offices; and
• Fully funded the Massachusetts District Attorneys’ Association to promote coordination among the separate offices and to increase efficiency.

Housing

Recent economic challenges have resulted in an increased need for a variety of supportive housing programs.  The Committee’s recommendations maintain funding for preventative programs, including the Tenancy Preservation Program, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) and the Housing Service Program.  The recommendations maintain the Committee’s commitment to funding affordable housing options with continued funding of the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program and the Local Housing Subsidies.  In an initial step to ensure that every resident of the Commonwealth has access to quality affordable housing, a reserve to support the findings of the Commission to End Homelessness was established and fully funded.

• Provided $31.9M for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program to provide rental assistance for income eligible households;
• Provided an increase of $500K for the Alternative Voucher Housing Program to provide rental assistance for non-elderly persons with disabilities;
• Maintained funding for the Individual Development Account (IDA) program which pools state, federal and private funds to match earned income deposited into a savings account for qualified participants;
• Provided $5.2M for the continuation of the Soft Second Loan Program which makes home ownership a possibility for those that would not otherwise be able to purchase a home; and
• Established a $10M reserve to implement the findings of the Commission to End Homelessness.

 Economic Development

As evidence of a nationwide economic downturn becomes more apparent, the Commonwealth’s targeted investments in economic development become more crucial.  The Committee continues to support efforts to improve the Massachusetts economy by funding programs that promote the recruitment, expansion and retention of business operations and funds investments in regional and international tourism.  In addition, the Committee continues to invest in the development of small businesses by providing $1.2M for the Small Business Development Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

• Continued funding for Permitting Technical Grants to streamline state and local permitting procedures, helping to advance job creation in the Commonwealth;
• Maintained funding for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development which facilitates the relocation of businesses to Massachusetts;
• Consolidated the Massachusetts Business to Business Program into the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to promote administrative efficiency;
• Consolidated the Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion Program Administration into the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to streamline services; and
• Provided $11.1M for the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism which manages an advertising and marketing program aimed at increasing travel to Massachusetts.  

Labor

The Committee is dedicated to building a strong workforce and supports programs and resources for both job seekers and employers.  The Committee maintains programs designed to train new and existing workers for careers and helps meet the increasing demand for highly skilled workers.

• Maintained $1.5M in funding for Health Care Career Ladder Programs which provide grants to long term care facilities to upgrade skills of certified nurses' aides and entry-level workers in nursing homes;
• Maintained $21M in funding for Workforce Training Programs which provide training grants to employers, employer groups and labor organizations;
• Maintained $5.5M in funding for One-Stop Career Centers which provide employment services for the unemployed;
• Maintained $2.3M for the Division of Occupational Safety which administers workplace health and safety programs; and
• Provided an increase of more than $455K for the Division of Industrial Accidents.

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

The Committee’s recommendations for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will provide for the improvement of our parks, pools, and beaches, and move forward efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and toxins in our environment.  Recommended funding levels will also continue to protect and preserve the Commonwealth’s environment and natural resources.

• Increased funding by $444K for the hiring of regional planners who will be responsible for creating Resource Management Plans;
• Increased funding by $1M for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s State Parks;
• Increased funding by $1M for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Urban Parks;
• Maintained funding levels for the beaches and pools operated and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation;
• Increased the Department of Environmental Protection budget by $581K to allow the Department to support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and to enforce the Mercury Management Act;
• Provided $500K for the creation of the Railroad Bridge Safety Program under the Department of Public Utilities for the oversight, safety and inspection of all of railroad bridges in the Commonwealth; and
• Provided $2.3M in funding for the creation of the Unified Carrier Registration Program to replace the Single State Registration Program.

Transportation

The Committee’s budget recommendations provide for the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works at a level ensuring adequate funding is available to maintain delivery of current services.  The Committee also recommends a $4.3M increase over current fiscal year spending at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to expand services and the hire essential new employees.

• Increased funding by $4.4M for the Regional Transit Authority;
• Increased funding by $3.4M for the Department of Public Works; and
• Provided a $4.3 increase for the RMV to increase staffing and provide adequate security for a safe and secure environment for Registry employees and the public.

Life Sciences

In anticipation of the passage of the 10 year life science initiative, which will create jobs in the Commonwealth and entice the best and brightest in the industry to continue research in Massachusetts, the Committee’s recommendations fully fund the life sciences initiative as passed by the House of Representatives. This groundbreaking investment has a variety of facets found throughout the Committee’s recommendation.
 

• Provided $5.5M for biotechnological workforce training grants and training grants to enhance Massachusetts’ technological workforce;
• Provided $1M to support academic and industrial research and development and life science business exchanges with Israel;
• Provided $2.5M for Biotechnology Workforce Training Grants;
• Provided $250K to promote research and development of plant-made pharmaceuticals;
• Provided $570K for the stem cell bank and stem cell registry at UMass Medical Center; and
• Provided $200K for the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center.