FISCAL YEAR 2022 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 2022 state budget. MLAC is requesting $35 million in the FY22 budget of the Commonwealth.

View MLAC’s FY22 Budget Fact Sheet!

Understanding the State Budget Process

Your participation is crucial to our budget campaign’s success.  Below is a timeline of the state budget process that lets you know important dates in our campaign from January to July.

• The State Budget Process [PDF]

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Governor’s budget

• In January, Governor Baker included $29 million for civil legal aid in his FY22 budget recommendations.

House budget

• In March or April, the House of Representatives will release its FY22 budget for the Commonwealth.

Senate budget

• After the House releases its budget, the Senate will release its FY22 budget for the Commonwealth.

Conference Committee budget

• In May, the Conference Committee (made up of three Representatives and three Senators) will combine the House and Senate budgets into a single bill.

Governor’s approval

• Before July 1, Governor Baker will sign or veto portions of the FY22 budget.

Final budget

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