FISCAL YEAR 2019 STATE BUDGET

The EJC’s legislative funding campaign calls on state lawmakers to adequately fund the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) line item in the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget. MLAC is requesting $23 million in the FY19 budget of the Commonwealth.

View MLAC’s FY19 Budget Fact Sheet [PDF]

Below is a timeline of the budget process. Your voice and input is important throughout this process. Find out how to get involved and have your say.

Governor’s budget

• On January 24, Governor Baker released his FY 2019 budget, recommending $18,180,000 for MLAC, an increase of $180,000 over FY 2018.

House budget

• On April 11, the House Ways & Means Committee released its budget, recommending $20 million for MLAC, an increase of $2 million over FY 2018.
• On April 26, the House passed its FY 2019 budget, including $20.79 million for MLAC, an increase of $2.79 million over FY 2018.

Senate budget

• On May 10 the Senate Ways & Means Committee released its budget, recommending $19 million for MLAC, an increase of $1 million over FY2018.
• On May 25, the Senate passed its FY 2019 budget, including $21 million for MLAC, an increase of $3 million over FY 2018.

Conference Committee budget

• On July 18, the Conference Committee released its budget, including $21.04 million for MLAC, an increase of more than $3 million over FY 2018.

Governor’s approval

• On July 26, Governor Baker signed the FY19 budget, approving $21.04 million for MLAC.

Final budget

• Following any legislative overrides, the final budget, called the General Appropriations Act (GAA), goes into effect.