!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

P R E SS R E L E A S E
F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E ASE : T hur sday , O c tob e r 17, 2013
! ! ! !!! ! ! !

C O N T A C T : Justin T homp son PH O N E : 617-722-2810

"#$%&$'()*+,-%+'.,/*+#%0(1+2!

!"#$%&'()*+,+'-*'.)//0,1,*230'4)+5,2'
(BOSTON) State Representative Geoff Diehl of Whitman voted to pass a deficiency supplemental budget which allocates additional funds to existing programs and initiatives. This spending bill is the result of an $82 million consolidated net surplus (CNS) from fiscal year 2013 due to above-benchmark tax collections and reversion by state agencies. The legislation also includes $20 million to provide immediate funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure that Massachusetts families will receive these benefits if the federal government shutdown continues.
The coming winter may prove to be another trying one for our families. With so much uncertainty in Washington I was happy to vote to provide this needed assistance to our most vulnerable citizens who may struggle with home heating costs, said Diehl.

The supplemental budget provides various financial provisions including: $25 million for the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund; $19 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Investment Fund; $10 million for the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund; $13 million for the Emergency Assistance program which aids families using hotels or motels when facing homelessness; $11.5 million rates subsidy for early education and care salaries and benefits; The deficiency supplemental budget passed the House unanimously. It now moves to the Senate.

###
!