by LaMara HunterKelly | Jun 1, 2023 | In The News, Uncategorized
Senator Joe Comerford asks the panel including Jeffrey C. Riley, Commissioner Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dr. Patrick A Tutwiler, Secretary of the Executive Office of Education, Amy Kershaw, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care, and Dr. Noe Ortega, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education, a question during the budget hearing of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Governor Healey’s 2024 proposed budget chaired by Comerford and Representative Andy Vargas at UMass Monday, March 13, 2023.[/caption]
By JAMES PENTLAND
NORTHAMPTON — With passage of the state Senate’s $55.9 billion budget last week, Senator Comerford, D- Northampton, secures $1.1M for area groups. A number of area organizations can look forward to a financial boost to the tune of $1.15 million at the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Topping the list of government aid recipients in Sen. Jo Comerford’s Hampshire and Franklin county district is the University of Massachusetts Water and Energy Technology Center, known as the WET Lab, which is in line for $500,000. Among other programs with announced awards, Trauma Informed Hampshire County will be receiving $35,000 to promote the initiative’s work of healing trauma. “It’s nothing to take for granted,” Comerford said of the funding. “We’re gearing up to ask the conference committee to meet soon and to keep the earmarks.” This and all proposed funding has to survive the reconciliation process between the House and Senate budgets and be approved by Gov. Maura Healey before becoming final… (more…)
