Action Alert
The Voice of Adult Education in Massachusetts

November 10, 2020
MCAE Supports House Budget Amendments that Would Contribute to Pandemic Recovery

On Monday, hundreds of amendments were filed to the House Ways and Means Committee budget for fiscal year 2021, HB5150. This budget bill includes $46,045,000 for Adult Basic Education line item (7035-0002)- a $5 million increase from FY2020. Funding for ABE programs remains MCAE's top legislative priority.

As a member of the Raise Up Massachusetts Coalition, MCAE supports several budget amendments that affect the wider community and would promote a just recovery from the pandemic.

  • Amendment #231 (Rep. Donato) - to provide ten additional work-days (80 hours) of job-protected paid sick time for immediate use during the COVID-19 outbreak to workers not covered by federal emergency paid sick time protections. This would allow workers with COVID symptoms to stay home so they can recover and not risk infecting others. As we enter a difficult winter with increasing rates of infection, Emergency Paid Sick Time is urgently needed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

  • Amendment #524 (Rep. Sabadosa) - to increase the tax rate on corporate profits
  • Amendment #675 - (Rep. Connolly) - to to increase the tax rate that investors pay on unearned income
  • Amendment #719 (Rep. Gouveia) - to increase the tax rate on Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI)

MCAE also supports initiatives led by the Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN), including housing stability for people affected financially by the pandemic. These amendments are supported by the MCAN community.

  • Amendment #585 (Rep. Hendricks) and Amendment #595 (Rep. Connolly) - to extend the Eviction Moratorium for those who lost income due to COVID-19 and to prevent foreclosures for homeowners and small landlords.


What's next?
The House is expected to debate this budget this week, and the Senate plans to release their budget this Thursday, with debate scheduled for next week. Now is the time to make sure your representative knows how important funding for ABE programs is to you and your community.

Thank you for your continued dedication and advocacy for ABE!
Want to make sure issues you care about are on the MCAE legislative agenda? Email info@mcae.net for more information about joining the Public Policy Committee.