$57.999 billion budget benefits cities, programs, and residents in Cambridge, Charlestown, Chelsea, and Everett

BOSTON — Senator Sal DiDomenico and his Massachusetts Senate colleagues unanimously approved a $57.999 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Following robust and spirited debate, the Senate adopted several of Senator DiDomenico’s amendments, adding millions of dollars in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities that will directly benefit constituents in his district and residents around the Commonwealth.

The budget builds on the Senate’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while delivering historic levels of investment in every level of education, regional equity, and mental health, reflecting the Chamber’s commitment to creating a more affordable, equitable, and competitive Commonwealth. Senator DiDomenico’s amendments will support working families by expanding access to food, clothing, quality education and workforce training.

“This budget is a victory for people of all backgrounds and income levels in my district and throughout the Commonwealth,” said Sal DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I am proud to bring millions of dollars to my district for organizations and programs that provide vital services for our residents. These investments will create new opportunities for people of all ages in our communities, support projects that will improve lives and ensure all our children can build the bright futures they deserve.”

Statewide DiDomenico Amendments

• $3.5 million to expand the annual clothing allowance for low-income families. This investment will give families $500 per child to purchase the clothes they need every year.

• $250,000 for operations services for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program.

• Senator DiDomenico also successfully advocated for the $42 million that was included for food services in this program.

• $300,000 for Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston to provide basic workforce and skills training, employment services and job re-entry support to older workers.

• Require the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to gather data on sex & relationship education in our schools. This will help our state government understand how we can best support our schools to ensure our children have the information they need to protect their health and form respectful relationships.

Local DiDomenico Amendments

• $25,000 for the John F. Kennedy Family Service Center for educational programming and family engagement.

• $25,000 for East End House to provide comprehensive support services for families.

• $25,000 for Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee for economic stability and mobility services

• $25,000 for Transition House to address domestic violence through intervention and prevention

• $25,000 for Margaret Fuller House for community advancement programming

• $25,000 for The Spot to provide materials and services to residents in need

• $25,000 for the Eliot Family Resource Center for comprehensive community-based services and resources

• $25,000 for La Comunidad to support community programming and services

• $25,000 to the Everett Haitian Community Center for community programming, resources and services

• $25,000 for Chelsea Black Community for community-based services and resources

• $50,000 for Community Action Programs Inter-City for economic stability and mobility services

• $25,000 for Chelsea Restoration Corporation to promote home ownership for low-to-moderate income residents in Chelsea and the surrounding areas

• $25,000 for Harvest on Vine Food Pantry to provide food resources and services

• $50,000 for the theater program at Cambridge Public Schools 

• $50,000 for the music program at Everett High School 

• $25,000 for the music program at Chelsea High School

• $25,000 to the Everett Public Schools for student-led environmental initiatives

• $25,000 for Girls on the Run Greater Boston to provide social-emotional learning and physical activity curriculum to elementary and middle school-aged girls in the cities of Chelsea, Everett, and Cambridge, and in Charlestown

• $25,000 to For Kids Only Afterschool for a pilot workforce development program to support programming for low-income and at-risk children and educators

• $25,000 for the Bunker Hill Monument Association regarding the history of the Bunker Hill Monument

• $25,000 for Courageous Sailing for youth programming and enrichment opportunities

As the Commonwealth adjusts to a changing economic landscape and ongoing tax revenue volatility, the FY25 budget adheres to disciplined and responsible fiscal stewardship. It does not raise taxes, nor does it draw down available reserves from the Stabilization Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund, while at the same time judicially utilizing one-time resources to maintain balance.

The Senate’s budget continues responsible and sustainable planning for the future by continuing to grow the Rainy Day Fund, already at a historic high of over $8 billion. The Senate’s proposal would build the Commonwealth’s reserves to a healthy balance in excess of $9 billion at the close of FY25.

A conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the versions of the budget passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.

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Legislation would help facilitate better interactions between people with autism and law enforcement officers

BOSTON — Senator DiDomenico joined all Massachusetts Senators in unanimously passing An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder—also known as the “Blue Envelope” bill—to improve communication during traffic stops involving a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The bill would create a voluntary program that would make available blue envelopes that people with autism could carry with them while driving and hand over to a police officer in the event that they are pulled over. A driver could place their license, registration, and insurance cards inside the envelope, and the outside of the envelope would note that the driver has Autism Spectrum Disorder and provide guidance on best practices on how to interact with the individual.

The envelope’s guidance—which would be created by a coalition of advocates, Chiefs of Police, and the RMV—would help law enforcement officers to better understand the actions of individuals with autism, who are more likely to have increased sensitivities and communication challenges in stressful situations.

“This legislation will improve communication and interactions between law enforcement officers and our neighbors with autism which will improve public safety for everyone,” said Sal DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I am proud to support this commonsense measure that has garnered support from a wide range of groups, including advocates and our law enforcement community, and will continue to make our state safer for our residents. Thank you, Senate President Spilka and Senator Comerford for getting this legislation the attention and urgency it deserves.”

“In Massachusetts, we stand firmly in our belief that every person is entitled to equal treatment in their lives, regardless of their background or life experience. For our neuro-diverse friends and neighbors with Autism Spectrum Disorder, that means empowering each other to reach our full potential,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today’s action in the Senate would make a common-sense, meaningful, and positive change to how people with Autism Spectrum Disorder interact with members of our law enforcement community, bringing us closer to the ideals we strive for. I am grateful to Senator Comerford for bringing this bill to the floor, as well as Chair Rodrigues and Chair Crighton for their support in the committee process.”

Many people with autism display no physical markers to alert others to their disability. Without adequate training, it is possible that law enforcement could misread the actions of an individual with autism. Every year, numerous people with Autism Spectrum Disorder suffer psychological trauma and physical injury as a result of such misunderstandings.

The bill has wide support from Autism Spectrum Disorder advocates and law enforcement organizations around the state.

“The Arc of Massachusetts and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) are grateful to Senator Comerford, Senate President Spilka and Chairman Rodrigues for passing the Blue Envelope bill, a priority bill for our advocacy organizations,” said Maura Sullivan, Director of Government Affairs for The Arc of Massachusetts. “This bill will ease interactions between police and autistic drivers. We know these situations can escalate and become traumatic or even dangerous. The Arc and AFAM applaud the Senate for taking action to be inclusive of the needs of the drivers with autism in Massachusetts.”

“The Blue Envelope Bill would be a game changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents. Like many people with autism, my 25-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that indicate he has autism,” said Ilyse Levine-Kanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM). “In a stressful situation, where split second decisions must be made, I’m relieved that a police officer could see a blue envelope in Sam’s car and immediately understand that any unusual behavior or speech pattern is a result of autism. Thus, this bill could dramatically decrease the possibility of a tragic misunderstanding. Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts is extremely grateful for Senator Comerford’s leadership in introducing and championing this common-sense initiative, and to the Senate for moving so quickly to pass the bill.”

During the bill’s hearing before the Transportation Committee, the Massachusetts State Police Association and a representative of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association testified in favor of the bill.

“Massachusetts police officers conduct thousands of traffic stops each year. While most of these interactions are relatively ‘routine,’ officers do not know who they are interacting with before the traffic stop, so they proceed with caution,” said Tyrone Parham, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Police at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “There are many potential communication conflicts with police officers during traffic stops and perspectives offered by those on the autism spectrum. The introduction of the blue envelope under stressful interactions will provide immediate information and context to the officer as they begin to communicate. Traffic stops are some of the most dangerous citizen interactions by police and this additional information gleaned by the Blue Envelope will be extremely helpful. I am extremely enthusiastic and grateful for the passing of this imperative legislation. Our Commonwealth drivers on the autism spectrum will be able to quickly and confidently present the blue envelope the next time they are pulled over during a routine traffic stop. This will be instrumental to help bridge the communication gap for both motorists and police officers.”

Similar legislation has been adopted in other states, including Connecticut, and has been shown to reduce stress, facilitate better communication, and improve safety.

Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.   

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BOSTON — Senator Sal DiDomenico recently met with fire chiefs from 35 fire departments across Metro Boston at a State House event, including Chelsea Fire Chief, Leonard Albanese, Everett Acting Fire Chief Sabato LoRusso, Cambridge's Assistant Chief, Brian Gover, and Revere's former Fire Chief, Gene Doherty. The event featured an informational session about the critical issues currently affecting the Fire Service in the Commonwealth and the support they need from the State Legislature.

“I am so grateful for all these public servants who sacrifice their wellbeing to keep our communities safe and put our minds at ease,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I will always be a steadfast supporter of fire departments in my district and throughout Massachusetts.”

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