Immigrant Communities Impacted by Legislature's Final State Budget for FY 2009

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shuya Ohno, MIRA Director of Communications: cell # (617) 821-8990

Boston, MA - The MA legislature voted on its final budget for FY 2009 . In light of the current economic challenges, the Conference Committee showed prudence in recognizing the needs of immigrant communities on several issues. The MIRA Coalition lauds the Legislature and the Conference Committee members (link) for their foresight in increasing funding for the Citizenship for New Americans and the Refugee and Immigrant Safety and Empowerment programs, among others.

However, the Committee’s shortsighted decision not to fund vital food stamps for some of the most vulnerable residents of MA (elderly immigrants and battered immigrants) is a failure to acknowledge the challenges facing this population exacerbated by rapidly escalating food prices.

The budget now goes to the Governor who can use his authority to veto specific line items included in the Final Budget before signing it into law.

The following is a summary of Budget Items directly impacting immigrant communities.

1. Citizenship for New Americans (line item 4003-0122) funded through the Office of Refugees and Immigrants at $650,000.

Governor’s Budget: $1.25 million

House Budget: $600,000

Senate Budget: $650,000

Final Budget: $650,000

Analysis: We applaud the Conference Committee for including the higher of the House and Senate amounts in the final budget, as the increase of $150,000 in funding will allow for an expansion of the Citizenship for New Americans Program and will ensure that more immigrants have the opportunity to become U.S. Citizens.

This increase in funding will hopefully allow more legal permanent residents to become citizens in underserved parts of the state. This increase is significant for the immigrant community. However, MIRA and its allies recognize that the need is growing greater for increases in funding for citizenship services for all eligible immigrants in the Commonwealth to have access to the citizenship process.

2. Food Stamps for Legal Immigrants (line item 4400-1001) Not Funded.

Governor’s Budget: Not funded

House Budget: Not funded

Senate Budget: $100,000 earmark for immigrants and refugees

Final Budget: Not funded

Analysis: The Conference Committee failed to include funding for food stamps for legal immigrants who are not eligible for federal funds. With rising food costs accompanying increases in energy and gas prices, many legally-present and hard working immigrant families across the Commonwealth will continue to face substantial challenges to their health and well-being. Furthermore, the most vulnerable populations, such as elderly immigrants and victims of domestic violence, will be particularly affected. We encourage the Governor to review this issue and consider putting funding back into the budget for this program.

3. Refugee and Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RISE) Program (line item 4513-1130) for culturally- and linguistically-competent domestic violence services for immigrants and refugees funded at an increase of $300,000 with language that broadens the constituencies with which RISE can work.

Governor’s Budget: Level-funded from FY08

House Budget: $300,000 increase with negative language

Senate Budget: Level funded with very restrictive language

Final Budget: $300,000 increase with positive language that protects the RISE programs specifically and does not limit the constituencies with which RISE can work.

Analysis: We commend the Conference Committee for not only recognizing the need for linguistically- and culturally-competent domestic violence services for immigrant and refugee victims of violence, but also for including positive language that does not limit the groups with which the RISE program can work. The funding for RISE and positive language will go a long way in stemming the cycle of violence in immigrant families and represents a significant victory for the immigrant community, MIRA, and all of its allies across the Commonwealth. Hopefully the increase in resources will help to fund organizations in currently underserved regions of the state.

4. Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (line item 7035-0002) funded at 31,176,348, and increase of $1,075,000 over FY08.

Governor’s Budget: $30,101,348

House Budget: $31,101,348

Senate Budget: $31,176,348

Final Budget: $31,176,348

Analysis: The Final Budget included an increase of over $1 million for ABE/ESOL services. Both the House and Senate recognized the crucial role that ABE and ESOL play in creating opportunities in the lives of immigrants and their families.

5. MassHealth Outreach and Enrollment Grants (line item 4000-0352) level-funded at $3.5 million.

Governor’s Budget: $3.5 million

House Budget: $3.5 million

Senate Budget: Not funded

Final Budget: $3.5 million

Analysis: The $3.5 million in funding for outreach and enrollment in the Final Budget affirms the legislature’s commitment to health care reform in the Commonwealth and will ensure that Massachusetts residents enrolled in MassHealth and CommonwealthCare and Choice continue to receive coverage as they are assisted through the re-determination process. Additionally, those who remain uninsured, many of whom are legal immigrants, will have a chance to access health insurance. Last year nearly 400,000 Massachusetts residents, including many immigrants, accessed health coverage in large part due to the funding of outreach and enrollment grants. The inclusion of this line item at $3.5 million is another big step in health reform in the Commonwealth.

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MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.