Budget and Grants Archives - Page 2 of 3

Bill Providing Resources to State Community Colleges to Tackle Student Food Insecurity Gets Broad Support at Hearing

(BOSTON) – At a hearing held this week by the Joint Committee on Higher Education, legislators and advocates testified on behalf of H.1350/S.847, An Act establishing a community college campus hunger pilot program filed by Representatives Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). The legislation would create a $2.7 million noncompetitive grant program administered by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) to fund state community colleges’ pilot initiatives to tackle hunger on campuses. These companion bills are refiles and were reported favorably by the committee last session. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) began campus surveys of student hunger and homelessness in 2014. A 2018 HOPE Lab survey of Massachusetts public college students found that 45% of students at two-year colleges had experienced some degree of food insecurity within the thirty-day period preceding the survey. Multiple studies and surveys have also confirmed that food insecurity is linked . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-06-11T11:17:39-04:00June 11th, 2021|Budget and Grants, Other Topics|

House Passes FY22 Budget, Supporting Residents’ Needs and Making Targeted Investments

(BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives last week to pass the state budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. This budget responsibly attends to the needs of residents and makes investments that set the state on a path toward economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded at $47.716 billion, the House’s FY22 budget continues its strong commitment to cities and towns, and includes significant investments in education, supportive services for vulnerable populations, and workforce and economic development, among other priorities. “This budget reflects yet another year of meaningful investments to support residents of the Commonwealth,” said Representative Meschino. “I am dedicated to advocating for the line items that matter most to our communities and the people who live here.” Representative Meschino was able to secure funding for several key priorities for the . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-05-12T14:32:57-04:00May 7th, 2021|Budget and Grants|

Hull Offered Nearly $26 Million in Low-Interest Loans to Fund Clean Water Infrastructure Projects

BOSTON, MA – The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that 113 projects, impacting communities across the Commonwealth, are eligible to receive approximately $819 million in low-interest-rate loans and grants to: fund construction, planning and asset management projects designed to improve water quality; upgrade or replace aging drinking water; and wastewater infrastructure and cut treatment plant energy use and costs. As part of the announcement, the Town of Hull was offered a total of $25,747,500 in low-interest loans to fund three separate water infrastructure projects. The Town must decide if they would like to move forward with the projects by June 30, 2021, and secure local funding authority. “The state funds being administered throughout the Commonwealth will allow our cities and towns to make significant investments in their clean water infrastructure,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “Maintaining this infrastructure is vital to ensuring public health and it’s great to have Hull be offered . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-04-30T15:27:19-04:00April 23rd, 2021|Budget and Grants, Energy + Environment|

Hingham Offered $500,000 Low-Interest Loan to Fund Stormwater Master Plan

BOSTON, MA – The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that 113 projects, impacting communities across the Commonwealth, are eligible to receive approximately $819 million in low-interest-rate loans and grants to fund construction, planning and asset management projects designed to improve water quality; upgrade or replace aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; and cut treatment plant energy use and costs. As part of the announcement, the Town of Hingham was offered a $500,000 low-interest loan to fund the planning of a Stormwater Master Plan. The Town must decide if they would like to move forward with the project by June 30, 2021, and secure local funding authority. “The state funds being administered throughout the Commonwealth will allow our cities and towns to make significant investments in their clean water infrastructure,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “Maintaining this infrastructure is vital to ensuring public health and it’s great to have Hingham be offered . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-04-30T15:27:40-04:00April 23rd, 2021|Budget and Grants, Energy + Environment|

Weymouth and Hingham Receive Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program Funding

(BOSTON) - House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Weymouth), Representative James M. Murphy (D-Weymouth), Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull), and Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) are pleased to announce Weymouth and Hingham are receiving funding from the Shared Winter Streets and Spaces Program. Weymouth will receive $75,550 and Hingham will receive $150,837. This program is funded through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). “I’m glad to help provide state funding that will help cities and towns adapt their streets to ensure safe and accessible transportation,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “I look forward to seeing these projects enhance quality of life for all road users in Weymouth.” “I am thrilled the town of Weymouth is receiving this crucial funding to advance the safety and proficiency of our roads,” said Representative Murphy. “This money will decrease traffic, reduce environmental impacts and make Weymouth and Hingham a more navigable place for all . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-04-30T15:28:08-04:00April 8th, 2021|Budget and Grants, Public Health|

Weymouth and Hingham Receive Funding for Fire Safety Gear

(BOSTON) - House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy), Representative James M. Murphy (D-Weymouth), Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull), and Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) are pleased to announce Weymouth and Hingham will be receiving funds from the FY21 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. The Weymouth Fire Department will receive $22,494.00 and the Hingham Fire Department will receive $14,762.38. “Our firefighters risk their lives to keep their community safe,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “I’m pleased to help provide state funding to ensure their safety and health as they protect their neighbors in Weymouth.” “I am thrilled the towns of Weymouth and Hingham are benefiting from this critical funding to address firefighter job safety,” said Representative Murphy (D-Weymouth). “It is imperative that we provide protective firefighting gear, to ensure the well-being of those who put themselves in harm’s way to help members in our community. This crucial aide will . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-04-30T15:28:36-04:00April 3rd, 2021|Budget and Grants, Public Health|

Cohasset Awarded $182,500 Grant to Protect Drinking Water from Contaminants

BOSTON, MA – The Town of Cohasset was recently awarded $182,500 to support efforts to address elevated levels of PFAS in drinking water. PFAS compounds are a family of chemicals widely used since the 1950s to manufacture common consumer products and used in some legacy fire-fighting foams. Drinking water may become contaminated if PFAS deposited onto the soil seeps into groundwater or surface water. PFAS have been linked to a variety of health risks, particularly in women who are pregnant or nursing, and in infants. “Municipalities across the Commonwealth need this funding to adequately protect their drinking water from harmful contaminants and ensure the health of their residents,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “I’m looking forward to seeing Cohasset’s project progress and I appreciate the support the Administration has given to this effort.” “Contamination of public drinking water is of utmost importance to both environmental and public health,” said Representative Meschino . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-03-24T09:59:39-04:00March 23rd, 2021|Budget and Grants, Public Health|

Hingham Organizations Receive Cultural Organization Economic Recovery Grants

(HINGHAM, MA) - Representative James M. Murphy (D-Weymouth) and Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hingham) are pleased to announce The South Shore Conservatory and the Unicorn Singers are receiving Cultural Organization Economic Recovery Grants through the Mass Cultural Council in Partnership with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED). The South Shore Conservatory will receive $100,000 and the Unicorn Singers will be allocated $3,000 for COVID-19 relief. “I am thrilled that these two important organizations in Hingham will be benefiting from this critical funding to begin the journey to recover from COVID-19, said Representative Murphy. “The past many months have been extremely difficult for all throughout the Commonwealth and the entire United States. This money provides much needed support for losses undergone during the COVID-19 pandemic.” “These grants represent our ongoing commitment to the viability of a vibrant cultural scene on the South Shore,” said Representative Meschino. “I am . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-01-15T15:54:00-05:00January 14th, 2021|Budget and Grants|

Legislature Passes Balanced Budget with Targeted Investments in Housing, Economic Development and Food Security

Prioritizes relief to vulnerable populations, provisions to boost economic recovery and support for students Fiscal Year 2021 Budget – Conference Committee Report (BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) and her colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget, which invests in programs and services across the Commonwealth. Funded at $46.2 billion, the budget aims to address the sweeping effects of the global pandemic by making targeted investments in housing, food security, and substance use addiction services, as well as domestic violence, sexual assault treatment and prevention programs. The budget also invests in programs that provide COVID-related supports for students and increases funding for developmental services, early education and childcare, and public health. “While the pandemic has caused great uncertainty, this budget has restored some stability to our Commonwealth,” said Representative Meschino. “I am happy to report level funding for local aid from FY 20 and . . . Read More

Joan Meschino2021-01-15T15:49:13-05:00December 11th, 2020|Budget and Grants|

Legislature Enacts $1.8 Billion Bond Bill to Strengthen the Commonwealth’s Information Technology & Physical Infrastructure

Invests in food security, education, and public safety accountability (BOSTON) – State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in the House and Senate to pass legislation authorizing up to $1.8 billion in spending for the improvement of information technology equipment and other capital projects in Massachusetts. The legislation also authorizes funding for food security, law enforcement body cameras, and investments in educational technologies in Massachusetts schools. “At the core of these investments is a deep understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Commonwealth,” said Representative Meschino. “It is time to be proactive to ensure that the needs of all are being met. This bill meets the challenges of the moment to bring support to our constituents, especially our most vulnerable.” The capital plan, which includes $794 million for state and local general technology and physical infrastructure, features the following targeted investments. $110 million in public safety infrastructure . . . Read More

joanmeschino2020-09-09T11:57:39-04:00August 21st, 2020|Budget and Grants|