The state’s fiscal 2024 revenue forecast was revised downward by $1 billion on Monday, with cuts proposed to dozens of executive branch agencies.
Here is a short rundown of the largest line-item cuts and some of the reasoning provided by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration for the budget reduction.
The state’s insurance plan, is set to see its budget drop by $294 million, from $3.6 billion to around $3.3 billion, in order to bring it into line with “anticipated utilization, adjustments to planned rate updates, and timing of rate updates.”
Which helps those who can’t afford insurance but don’t qualify for MassHealth, was set to receive $50 million in 2024. It will instead get nothing, “because the existing balance of the (fund) is sufficient to support projected spending.”
Will be dropped by $35 million “due to anticipated utilization rates.”
A cash benefit program that helps pregnant residents, families, and caregivers “explore opportunities, improve their finances, and reach their goals,” will be reduced by over $13 million. The program, according to the Healey Administration, has seen its funding upped by 30% on average since 2021.
Center-based child care subsidies would see a cut of $12 million, in part because of leftover program funds from 2023.
These funds will be reduced by 50%, except funds set aside for the state’s 250th anniversary celebration, Addiction Treatment Centers of New England and the Army-Navy game, for a total of $11.3 million in cuts.
The state’s first-in-the-nation Extended Learning Time grant program will be reduced by $7 million to under $500,000, after the budget process ran late last summer and led to the program not issuing grant awards for summer 2024.
The state’s contribution to the Supplemental Security Income program will be reduced by $7 million and the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund will get $6.2 million less than projected.
Budget line items for Behavioral Health Supports, DMH Loan Forgiveness, Group Insurance Premium and Plan costs, Housing Services and Counseling, and Community Foundation Grants will each be reduced by around $5 million.
The Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children program, Community College SUCCESS fund, and the State Scholarship Program will be reduce by $4 million or more.
