Yesterday, the House and Senate agreed to a compromise conference report on the supplemental budget which includes significant relief funds for our and other constituencies. Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka said the House will take up the compromise bill today, Thursday, December 2 with the Senate planning to follow suit tomorrow. We trust that no member blocks the passage of this budget bill during this critical time.
On Wednesday, The Arc had sent a follow-up letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to pass a compromise spending bill to release the much-needed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and fiscal 2021 surplus to strengthen our workforce that supports people with disabilities and their families impacted by COVID-19.
According to State House news, legislative leaders hope to get the $4 billion spending package to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk this week, after a conference committee on Wednesday night filed a compromise bill spending ARPA money and surplus state tax revenues. We only hope that these increases will reach our community before more individuals and families fall further into crisis.
