The Senate Ways and Means Committee released its $33.9 billion
budget proposal for FY14 on May 15. Included in that proposal is
$579 million in funding for the Trial Court, which while short of
the court's $589.5 million maintenance request, is $6 million more
than the House appropriation of $573.8 million.
The judicial compensation increase approved by the House -- in
its budget proposal last month -- was not included in the Senate
document. However, the House added the compensation increase to the
budget on the floor during the debate. The Senate could follow
suit.
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation was funded at $12
million, $1 million less than the House and $3.5 million's less
than MLAC's budget request. Sen. Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) is
filing an amendment that would provide MLAC with $15.5 million in
funding.
Call your senator and ask them
to support Sen. Clark's amendment.
To find your senator's phone number, click here.
To view the Senate budget proposal click here. The Senate is scheduled to begin
debating its budget proposal on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.