The House Ways and Means Committee released its nearly $38
billion budget proposal for FY16 on Wednesday, April 15. It is a
2.8 percent increase in spending and it is $100 million less then
the budget recommendations put forward by Governor Charlie Baker in
his first budget.
The proposal put forth by the House Ways and Means Committee is
markedly better for the Trial Court than Gov. Baker's proposal with
the House Ways and Means Committee coming in at $620.5 million, but
still far short of the maintenance funding request of $642.7
million. If funded at this amount for the coming fiscal year, the
courts will be forced to layoff personnel, and it would
significantly hamper the day-to-day operations of our courts and
jeopardize the ability of the courts to dispense justice to the
citizens of Massachusetts.
The proposal also gives the Massachusetts Legal Assistance
Corporation (MLAC) $17 million, a $2 million increase from FY15,
but far short of the $10 million increase sought. Rep. Ruth Balser
will be filing an amendment to increase funding to $22
million.
The budget debate in the House of Representatives is set to begin
on April 27. The Senate will debate their budget in May. Please
reach out to your representatives and voice your support for
appropriate funding for the Trial Court and for MLAC.
Click
here to find your representative's contact information.
Click here to find out who your representative
is.