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MA SENATE APPROVES BUDGET
WITH $3.72 MILLION INCREASE FOR ABE
Late last week, the Massachusetts Senate brought its debate over the FY 2019 budget to a close. Due to the efforts of Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), the version of the budget adopted by the upper chamber includes an appropriation of $33.35 million for adult basic education, an increase of $3.72 million over current levels. If this amount is ultimately enacted into law, it would represent the single largest one-year increase in adult education funding since at least FY 2002.
Since the Senate's appropriation differs from the sum approved by the House of Representatives back in April, the two bodies will still need to negotiate a compromise figure when they meet in conference committee in June.
For now though, please take a moment to appreciate what all of your hard work and your many calls, emails, and visits to the State House have accomplished!
Once you've had a chance to do that, please pick up the phone and call your Senators to thank them for their support of adult education. You can find your Senator and his or her contact information
here.
In particular, if your Senator is listed below, please express the gratitude of the entire ABE community for their leadership in cosponsoring Eldridge Amendment #176. That amendment was the means by which the Senate achieved this huge step forward for adult education.
ELDRIDGE AMENDMENT #176
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Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton)
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Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville)
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Michael Barrett (D-Lexington)
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John Keenan (D-Quincy)
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Michael Brady (D-Brockton)
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Ja
son Lewis (D-Winchester)
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William Brownsberger (D-Belmont)
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Barbara L'Italien (D-Andover)
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Nick Collins (D-Boston)
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Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford)
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Julian Cyr (D-Truro)
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Michael Moore (D-Millbury)
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Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett)
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Patrick O'Connor (R-Weymouth)
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Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough)
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Michael Rush (D-Boston)
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Anne Gobi (D-Spencer)
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James Welch (D-W. Springfield)
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Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield)
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In the days ahead, both the House of Representatives and the Senate will appoint their budget "conferees," the members of each chamber who will negotiate a final budget compromise during a committee of conference. Once conferees are named, it will be critical to contact your Representative and Senator and ask them to urge conferees to use the Senate's $33.35 million figure in the final FY 19 appropriation for ABE. MCAE will be back in touch with a helpful reminder once that happens!
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