House Budget Includes $10 million for CPA from FY15 surplus

Apr. 29, 2015: In a tough budget year, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has once again shown their support for CPA. The state budget passed by the House this week includes $10 million for the CPA Trust Fund, to be transferred from the FY15 state budget surplus. While we were advocating for $25 million, the large state budget shortfall meant that many state programs received substantially less than requested. In fact, CPA was the only program to receive budget surplus funding. If the state does have a surplus, the $10 million for CPA would provide a much-needed increase in the predicted record-low trust fund distribution to be received by CPA communities this year.

We are grateful to Representative Peter Kocot for filing the successful budget amendment that will provide the CPA funding. The Coalition would also like to thank Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and the House Committee on Ways and Means, led by Chairman Brian Dempsey and Vice Chair Stephen Kulik, for their continued support.

The amendment received the support of many state representatives. If you see the name of your representative on the list below, please be sure and thank them either by email or telephone for their strong support of CPA.

CPA Amendment Lead Sponsor: Peter Kocot

Co-Sponsors: James Arciero, Brian Ashe, James Cantwell, Angelo D’Emilia, Marjorie Decker, Carolyn Dykema, John Fernandes, Ann-Margaret Ferrante, Carole Fiola, Denise Garlick, Colleen Garry, Carmine Gentile, Carlos Gonzalez, Patricia Haddad, Jonathan Hecht, Kate Hogan, Bradley Jones, Louis Kafka, Timothy Madden, Paul McMurty, Leonard Mirra, James O’Day, Jerald Parisella, Sarah Peake, William Pignatelli, Paul Schmid, John Scibak, Frank Smizik, William Straus, and David Vieira

What's the next step?

Much work remains before the budget becomes final. The Senate will release their version of the state budget May 12th, and we still do not know if it will also include the CPA funding. The Coalition continues to meet with senators from around the state to advocate for the CPA budget surplus funding. We'll provide an update to all CPA communities on the Senate budget when it is released.

What language was included in the House budget for CPA?

SECTION XX. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, after complying with clause (a) of section 5C of chapter 29 of the General Laws, the comptroller shall dispose of the consolidated net surplus in the budgetary funds for fiscal year 2015 by transferring: (i) $10,000,000 to the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund, established by section 9 of chapter 44B of the General Laws; and (ii) the remaining balance to the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund. (b) All transfers pursuant to this section shall be made from the undesignated fund balances in the budgetary funds proportionally from the undesignated fund balances; provided, however, that no such transfer shall cause a deficit in any of the funds.