FY08 Budget Archives

FY08 Conference Committee Report
On Monday, July 2, the Conference Committee on the FY08 state budget issued its report that reconciled differences in the respective House and Senate versions of the budget. We are delighted that the following priorities of the Early Education for All Campaign were included in the Conference Committee Report:

Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (MA UPK)—3000-5075 – $7,138,739 ($2.5 million increase over FY07).

Kindergarten Expansion Grants—7030-1002 – $33,802,216 ($6,802,216 increase over FY07).

Early Educators Scholarship Program—7070-0065 – $4,000,000 ($1 million increase over FY07).

Professional Development—3000-6050 – $3,108,000 ($1,608,000 increase over FY07).

Subsidized Provider Rate Reserve—1599-0042 – $7,000,000 ($7 million increase over FY07).

Head Start—3000-5000 – $9,000,000 ($500,000 increase over FY07).

Department of Early Education and Care—3000-1000 – $250,000 for a plan to develop a Quality Rating System for early education and care programs participating in MA UPK.

FY08 Conference Committee
The Massachusetts Legislature appointed the members of the FY08 budget Conference Committee: Representative Robert DeLeo, Representative Marie St. Fleur, and Representative Viriato deMacedo; Senator Steven Panagiotakos, Senator Steven Tolman, and Senator Michael Knapik.

Over the next few weeks, the Conference Committee members will work to resolve differences in the House and Senate budgets and ultimately propose a final FY08 budget that will then be sent to the Governor.

It is critically important that your state representative and state senator weigh in with Conference Committee members on behalf of young children and families and high-quality early education.

Read EEA's Conference Committee recommendations. [PDF]

 

Senate Budget
The Senate budget includes $7.1 million in investments in the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten (MA UPK) program, matching the House’s investment in MA UPK.

Other priorities in the Senate Budget include:

7070-0065 Early Educator Scholarship Program: $4 million ($1 million increase over FY07). Governor Patrick's FY08 budget proposal level-funded this line item. The Senate Ways and Means Committee allocated $250,000 more than the House's FY08 budget proposal.

7030-1002 Kindergarten Expansion Grants: $33.9 million ($6.9 million increase over FY07). $5.6 million less than Governor Patrick's FY08 budget proposal; $2.7 million more than the House's FY08 budget proposal.

3000-6000 Quality Expenditures: $6.1 million. The Senate Ways and Means Committee consolidated this line item with the Professional Development line item (3000-6050), for an overall increase of $67,600. Unlike the House FY08 budget proposal, the Senate Ways and Means Committee did not include $250,000 for a plan to implement a Quality Rating System for early education programs participating in the MA UPK program.

3000-2000 Resource and Referral Agencies: $11.5 million ($56,000 decrease from FY07). The House FY08 budget proposed consolidating this item with the CPC planning grants item (3000-2025), resulting in an overall decrease of $1 million for the R&Rs and $750,000 for CPC planning grants. The Governor also proposed consolidating these items, as well as transferring $2.8 million of the total funds to the Quality Expenditures line item (3000-6000).

3000-5000 Head Start: $9 million ($500,000 increase over FY07). Governor Patrick's FY08 budget proposal level-funded this line item. The FY08 House budget proposal also proposes $9 million for this line item.

1599-0042 Subsidized Provider Rate Reserve: $7 million. Governor Patrick level-funded this line item in his budget proposal. The FY08 House budget proposal also proposes $7 million for this line item.

Final House Budget
The Early Education for All (EEA) Campaign applauds Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo, Education Chairwoman Patricia Haddad, and members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for adopting several amendments during the House floor budget debate that would increase overall investments in young children and their early education by $6.25 million over the initial House Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) budget proposal. These amendments include:

- $2.5 million increase for the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten (MA UPK) program (line item 3000-5075);
- $3 million increase for the Subsidized Provider Rate Reserve (line item 1599-0042);
- $500,000 increase for Head Start (line item 3000-5000); and
- $250,000 increase for the Community Partnership Councils (line item 3000-2000).

Through the approval of Amendment #1248, sponsored by Chairwoman Haddad, funding for the MA UPK program would increase by $2.5 million in FY08. As a result, the MA UPK program is among a minority of programs that would be slated to receive a genuine increase over the previous fiscal year as the Commonwealth grapples with an estimated deficit of $800 million - $1.1 billion.



Amendment #1248
The House Ways and Means’ Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) budget level-funded the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten (MA UPK) program. The following representatives signed on as co-sponsors to Amendment #1248 to increase funding by $5.4 million for MA UPK:

SPONSOR: Education Committee Chairwoman Patricia Haddad
Geraldo Alicea of Worcester
Bruce Ayers of Quincy
Antonio Cabral of New Bedford
Jennifer Callahan of Worcester
Thomas Calter of Kingston
Linda Dean Campbell of Methuen
Christine Canavan of Brockton
Stephen Canessa of New Bedford
Paul Casey of Winchester
Cheryl Coakley-Rivera of Springfield
Robert Correia of Fall River
Geraldine Creedon of Brockton
Sean Curran of Springfield
Stephen DiNatale of Leominster
Christopher Donelan of Orange
Mark Falzone of Saugus
John Fresolo of Worcester
William Galvin of Canton
Anne Gobi of Spencer
Robert Hargraves of Groton
Bradford Hill of Ipswich
Kevin Honan of Boston
Louis Kafka of Sharon
Kay Kahn of Newton
Stephen Kulik of Wothington
William Lantigua of Lawrence
Stephen LeDuc of Marlborough
David Linsky of Natick
Elizabeth Malia of Boston
Allen McCarthy of East Bridgewater
Matthew Patrick of Falmouth
Alice Peisch of Wellesley
Elizabeth Poirier of North Attleboro
Denis Provost of Somerville
Angelo Puppolo of Springfield
Pam Richardson of Framingham
Michael Rodrigues of Westport
Richard Ross of Wrentham
Michael Rush of Boston
Tom Sannicandro of Ashland
John Scibak of South Hadley
Carl Sciortino of Medford
Joyce Spiliotis of Peabody
Harriet Stanley of West Newbury
Thomas Stanley of Waltham
Timothy Toomey of Cambridge
Cleon Turner of Dennis
James Vallee of Franklin
Martin Walsh of Boston
Steve Walsh of Lynn
Martha Walz of Boston
James Welch of West Springfield
Alice Wolf of Cambridge

House Ways and Means Committee Files FY08 Budget Proposal

On April 11, the House Ways and Means Committee released their recommendation for the Fiscal Year 2008 state budget. Continuing a theme found in Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House Ways and Means budget reflects the challenges posed by an estimated $800 million structural deficit coupled with modest revenue growth projections. The House Ways and Means proposal restores the vast majority of line items that Governor Patrick consolidated under his budget proposal. Areas of particular interest include:

- 3000-5075 Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten (MA UPK) Program: Proposes level-funding of the MA UPK Program at $4.6 million in FY08. While the line item would technically increase by $15.8 million, the expansion reflects a $15.8 million earmark for Community Partnerships for Children - previously funded through line item 3000-4000. Includes program quality standards recommended by EEA.

- 7070-0065 Early Educator Scholarship Program: $3.75 million ($750,000 increase over FY07). Restores language for the Early Educators Scholarship Fund, language not included under Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, and proposes a $750,000 increase for the program.

- 7030-1002 Kindergarten Expansion Grants: $31.1 million ($4.1 million increase over FY07; $8.4 million decrease from Governor Patrick's FY08 budget proposal).

- 3000-6000 Quality Expenditures: $3.6 million ($900,000 decrease). Includes $250,000 for a plan to implement a Quality Rating System for early education and care programs participating in MA UPK.

- 3000-6050 Professional Development: $3.5 million ($2 million increase over FY07). Includes language requiring alignment of professional development with core competencies and requiring the Department of Early Education and Care to encourage and support early educators to obtain bachelors degrees through the Building Careers program.

- 3000-2000 Resource and Referral Agencies: $24.4 million. While the line item would technically increase by $12.6 million, the expansion reflects a consolidation of existing funding that is earmarked for local councils and represents just over a $1 million decrease from FY07 for Resource and Referral Agencies.

- 3000-5000 Head Start: $8.5 million (level-funding).

- 1599-0042 Subsidized Provider Rate Reserve: $4 million.

Governor Patrick Releases FY08 State Budget Recommendations
On Wednesday, February 28, Governor Deval Patrick released his budget recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2008 state budget (referred to as House 1). The details of House 1 reflect the challenges posed by a $1-plus billion structural deficit that will be carried forward into next year’s budget coupled with modest revenue growth projections of 3.0% for the upcoming fiscal year. As a result, House 1 features $515 million in cuts throughout state government. Overall spending under House 1 would increase 4.2% over this fiscal year, although spending in areas unrelated to Chapter 70 (public education), Medicaid, and recurring prior year expenditures would grow at less than 2.0% (less than inflation).

Another feature of House 1 is a substantial consolidation of budget line items from approximately 900 to 600. As a result of this mix of complete and partial consolidations, which do not include the exact dollar amounts transferred from each account, it is difficult to determine precisely how each budget line item fared.

View the line items for the Department of Early Education and Care in the Governor’s FY’08 Budget Recommendation

Areas of interest include:

3000- 5075 Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program Level funding of Universal Pre-Kindergarten line item. House 1 would maintain funding at $4.6 million in Fiscal Year (FY08).

7070-0065 Early Educators Scholarship Program Elimination of the earmark for the Early Childhood Scholarship Fund under the Massachusetts State Scholarship Program line item (7070-0065). However, the proposed appropriation for this budget line item is approximately equal to the current fiscal year (FY07).

7030-1002 Kindergarten Expansion Grants $39.5 million ($12.5 million increase)—To support Governor Patrick’s proposed increase to the Kindergarten Expansion Grants program under House 1.

3000-6000 Quality Expenditures Consolidation of the Professional Development (3000-6050) and Early Childhood Mental Health (3000-6075) line items under the Quality Program Supports line item .

3000-2000 Access Management (new name) Consolidation of Local Early Education and Care Councils line item (3000-2025) under the newly-named Access Management (previously Resource and Referral Agencies) line item.

3000-5000 Head Start Level funding for the Head Start item (3000-5000). House 1 would maintain funding at $8.5 million in FY08.

1599-0042 Subsidized Provider Rate Reserve Annualization of the Early Education and Care Provider Rate Increase line item. House 1 transfers this budget line item, which was funded at $12.5 million in FY07 under the Department of Administration & Finance to unspecified “relevant budgetary accounts.”

7066-0000 Board of Higher Education An 11.4% reduction in the Board of Higher Education line item (7066-0000). This line item provides for the operation of the Board of Higher Education and was reduced “to meet projected need.” The line item does not include the requested $100,000 earmark for Higher Education Early Childhood Education Capacity Building.

As the budget process progresses, we will continue to advocate for increased investments to strengthen the current foundation of early education and care programs, including the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program to move the Commonwealth forward toward providing universal access to high-quality, affordable early education for all 3, 4 and 5 year olds. We also urge the Legislature to maintain the Governor’s commitment to expand full-day kindergarten access across Massachusetts.

FY07 Budget Archive

Governor Romney Makes 9c Cuts
On Friday, November 10, Governor Mitt Romney exercised a budget-balancing power referred to as a “9c” cut, which permits him to reduce spending if revenues are determined to be insufficient to pay for expenditures. This has resulted in an immediate $425 million reduction in statewide spending appropriations for this fiscal year, including $25 million in reductions in early education and care funding.

Upon taking office in January, Governor-Elect Deval Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature will have the option of overturning these cuts and restoring funding.

Final FY07 Budget

The FY07 state budget was finalized on July 31 and includes the following provisions consistent with EEA's FY07 state budget priorities:

$4.6M for a pilot program for the new Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (3000-5075);

$100K for the Department of Early Education and Care to develop core competencies for those working with children in early education programs (3000-1000);

$250K for the Department of Early Education and Care to develop a quality rating system for early education and care programs participating in the new Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (3000-6000);

$12.5M for a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve (1599-0042);

$1M increase for Head Start (3000-5000);

$1.3M increase for Resource and Referral Agencies (3000-2000);

$3M for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship (7070-0065);

$2M in increased funding for Kindergarten Expansion Grants for full-day kindergarten (7030-1002).

The Campaign is grateful for the commitment of the Massachusetts Legislature to strengthening the current foundation of early education and care programs and taking further steps to ensure “early education for all.”

Thank you for all of your work during this year’s budget process on behalf of our young children and families.

Governor Romney Vetoes in FY07 Budget

On July 8, Governor Mitt Romney vetoed items within the Commonwealth’s FY2007 budget, including the following that are priorities of the Early Education for All (EEA) Campaign and that will affect the early education and care of children throughout the Commonwealth.

Restore line item 1599-0042, a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve, to its full funding of $12.5M;

Restore line item 3000-1000 for Department of Early Education and Care Administration to its full funding of $10,952,486 and preserve the $100K earmark for the development of core competencies for those working with children in early education programs;

Restore the $1.3M increase for Resource and Referral Agencies (line item 3000-2000);

Restore the $1M increase for Head Start (line item 3000-5000);

Restore line item 3000-6050 for Professional Development to its full funding of $1.5M.

Conference Committee Releases FY07 Budget Report

On Friday, June 30, the Conference Committee on the Fiscal Year 2007 state budget issued its report that ironed out the differences in the respective House and Senate versions of the budget. We are pleased to report that the following key priorities of the Early Education for All Campaign were included in this final version of the budget:

$4.6M for pilot projects as part of the new Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (3000-5075);

$100K for the Department of Early Education and Care to develop core competencies for those working with children in early education programs (3000-1000);

$250K for the Department of Early Education and Care to develop a quality rating system for early education and care programs participating in the new universal pre-kindergarten program (3000-6000);

$12.5M for a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve (1599-0042);

$1M increase for Head Start (3000-5000);

$1.3M increase for Resource and Referral Agencies (3000-2000);

$2M increase for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship (7070-0065);

$2M in increased funding for the Kindergarten Expansion Grants for full-day kindergarten (7030-1002).

Massachusetts Senate Passes Its FY07 State Budget

On May 26, the Massachusetts Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2007 State Budget. The Senate included the following funding and provisions consistent with the FY07 budget priorities of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Added $6.3M in new funding for income-eligible vouchers and contracts;

Provided $12.5M for a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve;

Increased funding for Head Start by $1M;

Increased funding for Resource and Referral Agencies by $1.3M;

Earmarked $100K in the Department of Early Education and Care for core competencies to guide the new workforce development plan created by the Department;

Provided an additional $2M for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, created in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget.

Senate Ways and Means Releases Its FY07 State Budget Recommendations

On May 17, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released their recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2007 State Budget. The Senate Ways and Means Budget included the following funding and provisions consistent with the FY07 budget priorities of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Added $6.3M in new funding for income-eligible vouchers and contracts;

Provided $12.5M for a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve;

Increased funding for Head Start by $1M;

Increased funding for Resource and Referral Agencies by $1.3M;

Earmarked $100K in the Department of Early Education and Care for core competencies to guide the new workforce development plan created by the Department;

Provided an additional $2M for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, created in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget.

Massachusetts House of Representatives Passes Its FY07 State Budget

On April 28, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2007 State Budget. These appropriations build upon the House’s unanimous endorsement of H. 4755, An Act Relative to Early Education and Care, which creates the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. The House FY07 Budget included the following funding and provisions consistent with the Early Education for All Campaign’s priorities and recommendations:

Increased the appropriation for child care vouchers and contracts by $16.7M for low-income families;

Provided $10M for a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve;

Increased funding for Head Start by $1M;

Expanded funding for Resource and Referral Agencies by $1.3M;

Increased funding for the Kindergarten Expansion Grants by $2M;

Earmarked $250K in the Department of Early Education and Care for the development of a quality rating system designed to provide parents and consumers better access to data about the quality of their early education and care providers;

Earmarked $100K in the Department of Early Education and Care for core competencies to guide the new workforce development plan created by the Department;

Provided an additional $2M for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship program, created in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget.

The House took a significant step by creating a new $5M line item for pilot projects as part of the new Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program.

House Ways and Means Committee Releases FY07 State Budget Recommendations

On April 11, the House Ways and Means Committee released their recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2007 State Budget. These recommendations build upon the House’s unanimous endorsement of H. 4755, An Act Relative to Early Education and Care, which created the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. The House Ways and Means Budget included the following funding and provisions consistent with the FY07 budget priorities and recommendations of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Increased the appropriation for child care vouchers and contracts by $16.7M for low-income families;

Provided $5M for a subsidized child care provider salary rate reserve;

Increased funding for Head Start by $1M;

Increased funding for Resource and Referral Agencies by $1.3M;

Increased funding for the Kindergarten Expansion Grants by $2M;

Earmarked $250K in the Department of Early Education and Care for the development of a quality rating system designed to provide parents and consumers better access to data about the quality of their early education and care providers;

Earmarked $100K in the Department of Early Education and Care for core competencies to guide the new workforce development plan created by the Department;

Provided an additional $2M for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, created in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget.

In addition, the Committee took a significant step by creating a new $10M line item for pilot projects as part of the new Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program.

EEA Releases FY07 State Budget Recommendations

Build the Foundation for a Universal Early Education Program – Development at the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) of core competencies for early educators and a quality rating system for early education providers; increase rates for subsidized providers to maintain, maximize and enhance the current foundation of programs for young children.

Support the Professional Development of Early Educators – Build on the pilot scholarship program, created by the Legislature through the Fiscal Year 2006 state budget, by expanding scholarships for early educators and strengthening early education and care workforce offerings at our institutions of higher education.

Expand Full-Day Kindergarten - Increase funding for the Kindergarten Expansion Grants program at the Department of Education to enable more school districts to transition half-day classrooms to full-day classrooms.



Governor Romney Releases FY07 State Budget Recommendations
On January 25, 2006, Governor Mitt Romney released his recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2007 state budget (referred to as House 2). Most of the Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) budget line-items were either level-funded or had limited increases or decreases. Areas of interest include:

Rate Increase for Early Education and Care Providers – 1599-0042 – The budget annualizes the $12.5 million rate increase from last year in the Low-income Child Care Subsidies line-item (3000-4050) but does not recommend a new increase.

Infrastructure at the Department of Early Education and Care -- 3000-1000 – House 2 includes a $1.2 million increase in the Department's administrative line-item. This increase will support the cost of moving the Department to new central office space; supports the administrative needs of the new agency; and moves the costs of the Residential and Placement licensing unit from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to EEC.

Resource and Referral Agencies – 3000-2000 – House 2 appropriates approximately $800,000 more in this line-item than in FY06, but does not include the $1 million earmarked for resource and referral agencies in the quality line-item (3000-6000) last year. Therefore it is a net decrease of $200,000.

Supportive Child Care - 3000-3050 - House 2 increases this line-item approximately $1.8 million to $50,873,130.

Community Partnerships for Children - 3000-4000 - House 2 level-funds this line-item at $68,700,570.

Parental Preparation Program – 3000-4025 – House 2 appropriates $3 million for a new parental preparation program at DEEC. The proposed program would provide “information and training for parents to assist them in nurturing their children's development and education and to strengthen parents' involvement in their children's schooling and shall be used for parent orientation and information for parents of children from birth to five years of age who are enrolled in state-subsidized child care programs.”

Low-income Child Care Subsidies – 3000-4050 – The budget appropriates approximately $20 million more in this line item than in FY06. The increase includes the annualized $12.5 million rate increase from last year, $2.6 million to increase the rates paid for transportation, and increases related to welfare reform.

Head Start – 3000-5000 – House 2 cuts Head Start from last year’s $7.5 million to $6.14 million for grants to Head Start programs.

Kindergarten Development Grants – 7030-1002 – House 2 level funds the program at $25 million.

Pilot Scholarship Program for Early Educators -- 7070-0065 – House 2 level funds the Board of Higher Education’s line-item that included the scholarship funds, but does not earmark funding for any particular program including the early educators’ scholarship.

FY06 Budget Archive

Massachusetts FY06 Budget Update—Please Thank Your Legislators
As the FY06 budget process concludes, advocates for children and high-quality early education and care have much to be excited about.  In last year's budget, Governor Romney joined with the Legislature in making an historic commitment to the state's young children and families by creating a new Board and consolidated Department of Early Education and Care. 
 
This year, the Legislature sent a strong message in the FY06 budget about its continued commitment to high-quality early education by including over $20 million in new funding to strengthen the current foundation of early education and care programs as well as critical initiatives to support professional development for early educators. 
 
As this "building year" for the new Department began on July 1, the FY06 budget has supplied the tools necessary to not only combine the early education and care responsibilities of the Office of Child Care Services and the Department of Education, but also the framework needed to begin to plan for an effective and accountable system of voluntary high-quality early education for all children.  Highlights include:

Infrastructure at the Department of Early Education and Care — 3000-1000 — The budget included language and funding to develop a kindergarten readiness assessment system, a comprehensive evaluation system for all early education and care programs, an implementation plan for a workforce development system, and important language relative to data collection and studying the effectiveness of early education. 

Pilot Scholarship Program for Early Educators — 7070-0065 — The budget creates a new $1 million pilot scholarship program for early childhood educators.

Rate Increase for Early Education and Care Providers — 1599-0042— The budget appropriates $12.5 million for a rate increase. This is a $7.5 million increase over last year.
 
Kindergarten Grants — 7030-1002 — The budget includes $25 million in kindergarten grants and directs the Department of Education to conduct a study on how to provide universal all day kindergarten throughout the Commonwealth, including an estimated cost analysis for implementation. The appropriation is a $2 million increase over last year
 
Low-income child care subsidies — 3000-4050 — The budget appropriates $292 million. This is $13.5 million higher than last year's line-item.
 
Head Start — 3000-5000 — The budget includes $7 million for grants to Head Start programs. This is a $1.35 million increase over last year.

The Early Education for All Campaign thanks the leadership of the House and Senate and all the members of the Legislature for doing what is best for young children and families.

Governor Romney Vetoes Early Education and Care Initiatives
On June 30, Governor Mitt Romney signed into law the FY06 state budget. The Governor issued a number of vetoes that will have a direct impact on the early education and care of Massachusetts children and are also priorities of the Campaign. As this building year for DEEC gets underway on July 1, it is critical that we strengthen the current foundation of early education and care programs and ensure that the new Department has the resources necessary to fulfill its mandate of creating a streamlined, effective and accountable system of high-quality early education and care for all children in the Commonwealth. The Legislature is expected to take up veto overrides the week of July 5. Please contact your state legislators and ask them to vote to override the following gubernatorial vetoes:

Infrastructure at the Department of Early Education and Care — 3000-1000: Governor Romney vetoed $455,334 in funding from the new Department's administrative account that is to be used for the development of a kindergarten readiness assessment system, a comprehensive evaluation system for all early education and care programs, an implementation plan for a workforce development system, and important language relative to data collection and studying the effectiveness of early education.

Rate Increase for Early Education and Care Providers — 1599-0042 — Governor Romney vetoed $2.5 of the $12.5 million the Legislature approved for a rate increase.

Head Start – 3000-5000– The Governor vetoed the $1,353,857 increase in grants to Head Start programs that the Legislature had approved.

Conference Committee Releases FY06 State Budget Report
On Thursday, June 23, the conference committee issued its report that ironed out the differences in the respective House and Senate versions of the budget. We are excited to report that a number of the priorities of the Early Education for All Campaign were included in this final version of the budget. With the new Department of Early Education and Care coming on line July 1, the Legislature has sent a strong message about its continued commitment to high-quality preschool and full day kindergarten by including in the final conference committee report the best of the House and Senate initiatives on early education. The budget includes important funding to strengthen the current foundation of early education and care programs as well as critical initiatives to support professional development for early educators. The budget now heads to Governor Romney's desk for approval and possible vetoes. Please contact Governor Romney in support of the following measures:

Infrastructure at the Department of Early Education and Care — 3000-1000 – The budget included language and funding to develop a kindergarten readiness assessment system, a comprehensive evaluation system for all early education and care programs, an implementation plan for a workforce development system, and important language relative to data collection and studying the effectiveness of early education.

Pilot Scholarship Program for Early Educators — 7070-0065 – The budget creates a new $1 million pilot scholarship program for early childhood educators.

Rate Increase for Early Education and Care Providers –— 1599-0042 –— The budget appropriates $12.5 million for a rate increase. This is a $7.5 million increase over last year.

Kindergarten Grants –— 7030-1002 –— The budget includes $25 million in kindergarten grants and directs the Department of Education to conduct a study on how to provide universal all day kindergarten throughout the Commonwealth, including an estimated cost analysis for implementation. The appropriation is a $2 million increase over last year.

Low-income child care subsidies –— 3000-4050 –— The budget appropriates $292 million. This is $13.5 million higher than last year's line-item.

Head Start –— 3000-5000 –— The budget includes $7,500,000 for grants to Head Start programs. This is a $1.35 million increase over last year.

The Governor has ten days to sign the budget, after which it will head back to the Legislature for possible veto overrides.

In addition, please contact the conferees to thank them for their thoughtful support of early education and care in the conference committee report. Letters can be addressed to legislators at The State House, Boston, MA 02133. The conferees were:

Senator Therese Murray (D-Plymouth)
Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos (D-Lowell)
Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield)
Representative Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop)
Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Boston)
Representative Vinny M. deMacedo (R-Plymouth)

EEA FY06 Budget Conference Committee Priorities
With the Senate completing its debate on the FY06 state budget, a conference committee consisting of three House members and three Senate members will soon be appointed to iron out the differences in their respective versions of the budget.

In each of their proposed budgets, the House and the Senate, in different ways, took strides towards a shared vision of universal high quality preschool. The Senate included important funding to maintain, maximize and enhance the current foundation of programs and resources for early childhood education. The House included critical initiatives around early educator workforce development that will begin to prepare our preschool classrooms for the expansion of access and quality that is so critically needed. As the new Department of Early Education and Care becomes operational on July 1, we hope that the Legislature will send a strong message about its commitment to universal high-quality preschool by including in the final conference committee report the best of the House and Senate initiatives on early education. The Early Education for All Campaign is supporting the following initiatives in the conference committee negotiations. Please contact your Senator and Representative and ask them to express their support with the conferees for these initiatives.

Department of Early Education and Care — 3000-1000 – Support the House language and appropriation of $10,307,670

Pilot Scholarship Program for Early Educators — 7070-0065 – Support House language that creates a $1,000,000 pilot scholarship program early childhood educators

Rate Increase for Early Education and Care Providers –— 1599-0042 – Support Senate appropriation of $12.5 million rate increase.

Kindergarten Grants –— 7030-1002 – Support House appropriation of $25 million in kindergarten grants and Senate language on full day kindergarten study.

Low-income child care subsidies — 3000-4050 – Support Senate appropriation of $292 million.

Note: Only items where there are differences between the House and Senate budgets are negotiated in the conference committee. Items that were included in both versions, such as the $1.4 million increase for Head Start, are not negotiable and are automatically part of the final budget that will be sent to the Governor.

Senate Approves FY06 State Budget Recommendations
On May 24, the Senate approved their recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2006 State Budget.  The Senate budget included the following new funding and initiatives consistent with the goals and work of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Establishes the new Department as an independent, elevated and high-level agency by consolidating all items and functions formerly under the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) with the following programs from the Department of Education: pre-school grants provided through the Community Partnerships of Children, Head Start grants, and the Parent-Child Home Program.

Increases by $8.1M to reduce the wait list for child care services for low-income families.

Increases by almost $1.4M the state line-item which supplements Head Start.

Provides a $12.5M child care provider rate increase for salaries, benefits, and stipends for professional development of child care workers.

Directs the Department of Education to conduct a study on how to provide universal all day kindergarten throughout the commonwealth including estimated cost analysis for implementation.

The Senate and House will now each appoint three members to a Conference Committee to negotiate a final budget.  After approval by both branches, the Conference Committee budget will head to the Governor's desk for his approval and possible line-item vetoes.

Senate Ways and Means Committee Releases FY06 State Budget Recommendations
On Tuesday, May 17 the Senate Ways and Means Committee released their recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2006 State Budget. The Senate Ways and Means Budget included the following new funding consistent with the goals and work of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Established the new Department as an independent, elevated and high-level agency by consolidating all items and functions formerly under the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) with the following programs from the Department of Education: pre-school grants provided through the Community Partnerships of Children, Head Start grants, and the Parent-Child Home Program.

Increase of $8.1M to reduce the wait list for child care services for low-income families.

Increased by almost $1.4M the state line-item which supplements Head Start.

Provided a $10M child care provider rate increase for salaries, benefits, and stipends for professional development of child care workers.

House of Representatives Passes FY06 State Budget Recommendations
The House of Representatives on Friday, April 29 unanimously passed its recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2006 State Budget. The House Budget included the following funding and provisions consistent with the goals and work of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Established the new Department as an independent, elevated and high-level agency by consolidating all items and functions formerly under the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) with the following programs from the Department of Education: pre-school grants provided through the Community Partnerships of Children, Head Start grants, and the Parent-Child Home Program.

Created a deputy commissioner of workforce development position responsible for developing and implementing the workforce development plan and allowing for local and regional coordination and input.

Funded the development of a kindergarten readiness assessment system and a comprehensive evaluation system for all early education and care programs.

Created a new $1M scholarship program for early childhood educators in the Commonwealth, jointly administered by the new DEEC Board and the Board of Higher Education with input from local councils and regional agencies.

Required DEEC to issue a report by February 15, 2006 on the “state-wide need for pre-school along with estimated costs for providing such services over various time frames.”

Increase of $2.5M to reduce the wait list for child care services for low-income families.

Increased by almost $1.4M the state line-item which supplements Head Start.

Provided a $7M child care provider rate increase for salaries, benefits, and stipends for professional development of child care workers.

Increased the kindergarten development grant program by $2M.

House Ways and Means Committee Releases FY06 State Budget Recommendations
On April 13, 2005, the House Ways and Means Committee released their recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2006 State Budget. We are very pleased that these recommendations reflect the Houses long-term commitment to a “voluntary, universally accessible pre-school program available to every three and four year old in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”The House Ways and Means Budget included the following new funding and provisions consistent with the goals and work of the Early Education for All Campaign:

Established the new Department as an independent, elevated and high-level agency by consolidating all items and functions formerly under the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) with the following programs from the Department of Education: pre-school grants provided through the Community Partnerships of Children, Head Start grants, and the Parent-Child Home Program.

Created a deputy commissioner of workforce development position responsible for developing and implementing the workforce development plan and allowing for local and regional coordination and input.

Funded the development of a kindergarten readiness assessment system and a comprehensive evaluation system for all early education and care programs.

Created a new $1M scholarship program for early childhood educators in the Commonwealth, jointly administered by the new DEEC Board and the Board of Higher Education with input from local councils and regional agencies.

Required DEEC to issue a report by February 15, 2006 on the “state-wide need for pre-school along with estimated costs for providing such services over various time frames.”

Increase of $2.5M to reduce the wait list for child care services for low-income families.

Increased by almost $1.4M the state line-item which supplements Head Start.

Provided a $5M child care provider rate increase for salaries, benefits, and stipends for professional development of child care workers.

Increased the kindergarten development grant program by $2M.

Governor Romney’s FY 2006 State Budget proposal released
The Commonwealth's fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th. The fiscal year is always designated by the year in which it ends; thus, fiscal year 2006 (FY06) designates the budget year ending June 30th, 2006.

On Wednesday, January 26th, Governor Romney unveiled his FY 2006 Budget proposal, known as House 1, that included a number of provisions that impact early education and care in Massachusetts. House 1 builds on the FY05 budget creating the Board and consolidated Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) to administer the state’s early education and care system. House 1 consolidates early education and care budget line-items from the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) and the Department of Education (DOE) under the DEEC. The total proposed state appropriation for the new Department is $443,252,049, a slight increase over last year’s spending. In addition, House 1 includes 17 outside sections that relate to the new Department. These sections, for the most part, deal with technical ramifications of the transfer of responsibilities from DOE and OCCS to DEEC. The budget now heads to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.

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