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SENATE BUDGET DEBATE THIS WEEK
CRITICAL IMMIGRANT PROTECTIONS AT STAKE
This week the Massachusetts Senate will debate its version of the Commonwealth's budget for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. As part of that process, Senators will decide from among close to 1,200 amendments, several of which are vital to Massachusetts' adult education programs and the families and communities they serve.
As introduced, the Senate's version of the budget would devote just $31 million to ABE in FY 2019 -- or $1.73 million less than the $32.73 million approved by the House of Representatives in April.
However, Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) has filed Amendment #176 to bring that figure to $33 million for the coming year. While the initial version of this amendment would have appropriated $34.5 million, passage of the redrafted amendment would nevertheless continue much needed progress in bolstering funding for ABE. In addition, unlike the version of the budget passed by the House, neither Amendment #176 nor the underlying budget that the Senate will debate includes earmarks. MCAE continues to oppose all earmarks, as they undermine the open and competitive grant process, and will strive to keep them out of the final version of the budget.
As part of the budget debate, the Senate will also consider a pair of amendments that would have dramatic - but very different - impacts on the lives of Massachusetts' immigrants. Amendment #1147, which has also been proposed by Senator Eldridge, would institute a set of new legal protections, including prohibitions on local law enforcement collaborating with Trump Administration immigration agents. (For more on what would be gained through passage of Amendment #1147, click
here for a very helpful fact sheet from the
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.) In contrast, Amendment #1136, put forward by Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), would
end immigrant protections secured through the Supreme Judicial Court's recent
Lunn decision.
We ask that you please call your State Senator now and urge him or her to:
- Vote FOR Eldridge Amendment #176, which would increase funding for ABE to $33 million in FY 2019;
- Vote FOR Eldridge Amendment #1147, which would put 4 key protections for immigrant families into Massachusetts law;
- Vote AGAINST Fattman Amendment #1136, which would allow police to detain people for federal immigration authorities.
It is essential that you make your calls as soon as possible. These amendments will be voted upon
this week and your calls can still influence your Senator's position.
To find your State Senator and his or her phone number, click
here.
You may only be able to reach an aide to your Senator, but you should still make your request to them, as they serve as your legislator's "eyes and ears".
After you call your State Senator, please take a moment and contact Jeff McLynch, MCAE's Director, at either 617-482-6223 or [email protected] to let him know who you called and how it went.
Thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of adult education and families across the Commonwealth!
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NEXT MCAE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
June 15, 2018
10 a.m. to 12 noon
World Education
44 Farnsworth St
Boston, MA
For those unable to attend in person, this month's meeting
is accessible via
conference call.
Please contact Jeff McLynch at 617-482-6223 to RSVP
and to obtain the necessary
call-in information.
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