Gov. Baker approves FY20 budget and New Bedford scores big time

Posted Jul 31, 2019 at 12:54 PM
BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker signed the FY20 budget Wednesday that includes significant funding for New Bedford, according to a press release from Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford.)
Under this budget plan, New Bedford will receive $159,830,964 in Chapter 70 education funding. This is an increase of $14.5 million over last fiscal year and is $2.8 million more than what the House proposed in April. Montigny worked with Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues to ensure New Bedford would receive the highest funding possible.
Montigny also said that Governor Baker approved close to $1.2 million he helped secured in the FY20 budget for New Bedford to provide funding to increase local children’s access to arts, culture, and recreation; youth violence prevention; peer support and mental health services for police; workforce training; and opioid treatment programs.
“New Bedford’s economic resurgence and cultural renaissance has opened up tremendous resources and opportunities to experience the city’s unique plethora of arts, culture, and history,” Montigny said. “Our mission in this year’s budget is very simple: provide New Bedford kids with access to local arts, culture, and recreation regardless of socio-economic status. I cannot thank our local partners enough and look forward to another successful year.”
Youth development and access to arts, culture, and recreation is a major priority in Montigny’s allocations, continuing his years of legislative work to lead the local arts and cultural renaissance. The Senator renewed his Children’s Equality and Empowerment Fund to provide $500,000 in grants to local organizations seeking to provide innovative access to arts, culture, and recreation for area youth. He also allocated $80,000 to Dennison Memorial Community Center to provide programs for financially disadvantaged youth in New Bedford. Montigny also wrote a provision to ensure the South Coast Youth Court continues to operate through a $100,000 earmark. Montigny also delivered funding to the New Bedford Girl’s STEAM Design Academy, working alongside Representative Chris Hendricks (D-New Bedford).
Public health and safety priorities also ranked high in this year’s agenda. Montigny delivered $175,000 to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center so primary care services can provide medication treatment for opioid use disorders. Montigny also ensured the Women’s Center can continue to expand access to its safe dates and domestic violence workshops at local schools. Finally, the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) will receive $100,000 to continue to provide area law enforcement officers with much-needed peer support, mental health counseling, and residential treatment services following traumatic incidents.

Scroll to Top
Get news from New Bedford Economic Development Council in your inbox


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact