By Bob Katzen
Governor Maura Healey signed into law a $388.6 million fiscal 2023 supplemental budget. Provisions include $65 million for free school meals; $130 million to keep expanded nutrition assistance in place for a few more months; $2 million for the reimbursement of SNAP benefits for victims of benefit theft; $250,000 for a free abortion-related legal hotline; $45 million for emergency shelter assistance; $40 million to support affordable housing for immigrants and refugees; and $2 million for the Boston branch of the NAACP for costs of some programs to be included in its 114th National NAACP Conference taking place in Boston in 2023.

Other provisions keep some pandemic-era programs, set to expire, in place including allowing restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails for take-out; expanding outdoor dining; and extending the authority, set to expire in a few weeks, for public bodies, agencies and commissions to hold their meetings remotely.

“I’m proud that the first major bill signed into law by our administration dedicates crucial resources to help Massachusetts families access safe and secure housing, keep food on the table and pay for childcare,” said Gov. Healey. “Additionally, this bill supports our health care workforce, crucial housing and economic development programs like MassWork and our efforts to compete for federal funding.”

“This supplemental budget injects urgently needed funds into programs that support Massachusetts families and drive housing and economic development across our state,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “It also takes important steps to educate the public on their options around reproductive health care, extends accessibility and flexibility for public meetings, protects access to clean water and bolsters broadband infrastructure.”