State Representative Frank A. Moran (D-Lawrence, Andover and Methuen) has secured $950,000 through budget amendments filed to the fiscal year 2020 budget signed by Governor Baker on Wednesday. Chairman Moran’s amendments were consolidated earlier this year in the categories of Public Safety, Labor and Economic Development, Health and Human Services, Elder Affairs, Education and Local Aid, as well as Constitutional Officers and State Administration.
Funded at $43.3 billion, the final FY20 budget makes major investments in education through an increase of over $300 million in Chapter 70 education funding; including a $13 million increase for Lawrence, $1 for Andover, and $2.5 million for Methuen schools. Unrestricted local aid also increased by $750,000 across the 17th Essex District.
“The budget process is an annual opportunity to make our priorities for the 17th Essex District of Lawrence, Andover, and Methuen known. I am humbled to once again take on this responsibility on behalf of our community, and I am thrilled to deliver once again for my constituents. The process of gathering all of the relevant information and advocating for this state funding for organizations across our community here at the State House is one I take great pride in, and I can’t wait to see all of the growth and development in our community because of this funding. Thank you to my Lawrence, Andover, and Methuen colleagues, Speaker DeLeo, Ways and Means Chairperson Aaron Michlewitz, and all of our colleagues in the Senate for their tireless work on this budget process,” said Chairman Moran.
Budget amendments filed by Representative Moran will go to support the rehabilitation of the Andover Senior Center ($150,000); planning grants to expand or develop new career and technical education programs for vocational technical schools across the Commonwealth ($500,000); community development initiatives at ACT Lawrence ($50,000); Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc ($50,000); Lawrence Family Development ($50,000); Federación Hispana de Comerciantes – with Senator Barry Finegold ($20,000); Semana Hispana – with Senator Barry Finegold ($20,000); and Casa Dominicana ($50,000).
Chairman Moran also secured funding for a number of programs supporting youth recreation and safety with the Lawrence Sueños Basketball Summer Program ($25,000) and the Merrimack Valley Public Safety Youth Center ($25,000), as well as Fundacion CEMDPCD – with Senator Barry Finegold ($15,000) to support, educate and advocate on behalf of low-income parents of students with learning disabilities.
Chairman Moran’s Municipal Police Staffing Grant was also included, which will allow cities and towns across the commonwealth with populations of not less than 60,000 and a demonstrated operating budget of less than $200 per capita in 2010 to access nearly $5 million for local police departments through a grant application process.
