Senate Ways and Means FY 2023 Budget Proposal: Preliminary Analysis of Key Issues Affecting Low-Income Massachusetts Residents
On May 10, 2022, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2023 (FY 23), which is referred to as Senate 4. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute prepared this analysis of selected budget topics impacting low-income residents of the Commonwealth:
- Cash Assistance, SNAP and Related Items Administered by DTA
- Child Welfare: DCF and Related Items
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Health Issues in MassHealth and ConnectorCare
- Homeless Services
- Housing
- Legal Services/Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
Are you looking for civil legal help in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder – www.MassLRF.org – is a crucial tool for connecting residents facing legal issues to low-cost or free legal services across the Commonwealth. The website provides Massachusetts residents with targeted referrals to legal services, nonprofits, courts and self–help materials. All referrals are based on the person’s specific location, income and type of legal problem.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute to host Legislative Briefing for MLRI Report on Child Welfare System
For Immediate Release: May 5, 2022
Contact: Meaghan Hohl
Meaghan@sevenletter.com | (617) 448-6973
Virtual event to be hosted Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-Boston)
Boston, MA (May 5, 2022) – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) today announced that it will be hosting a legislative briefing on Monday, May 9th at 3:00 pm. The briefing, hosted by Representative Adrian Madaro (D-Boston), will focus on the findings of an MLRI report entitled: Family Voices: Insights about prevention services from families and youth directly affected by the Massachusetts Child Welfare System.
The Honorable Deval Patrick and Diane Patrick and Senator Mo Cowan and Stacy Cowan to Co-Chair Massachusetts Law Reform Institute’s 2022 Catalyst for Change Event
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Meaghan Hohl
Meaghan@sevenletter.com | (617) 448-6973
BOSTON, MA (April 21, 2022) Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) today announced that former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and First Lady Diane Patrick together with former Massachusetts Senator Mo Cowan and his wife Stacy Cowan will serve as honorary Co-Chairs for MLRI’s annual Catalyst for Change event on April 28, 2022.
Proceeds from the 2022 Catalyst for Change event will benefit MLRI’s Racial Justice & Equity Project which undertakes advocacy, in collaboration with community partners, to address and dismantle systemic racial disparities and racialized policies and practices that disadvantage the Commonwealth’s communities of color. MLRI hopes to raise $150,000 to support the ongoing efforts this project.
Join us at the African Meeting House on April 28
On April 28, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) will be hosting our 2022 Catalyst for Change event at the African Meeting House on Boston’s Beacon Hill. Built in 1806 and located in Smith Court, the Meeting House is considered the oldest extant Black church building in America. Smith Court served as a center for Boston’s Black community in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Along with the Meeting House, it is also home to the Abiel Smith School, which today houses the Museum of African American History.
CLAVC Initiative Honored with Award from Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marlena Idrobo, midrobo@mlac.org
Boston, April 15 – The Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime Initiative received the 2022 Innovation Award from the Victim and Witness Assistance Board and the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance as part of their 2022 Victim Rights Awards.
CLAVC, administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, helps victims of crime throughout Massachusetts with their related civil legal problems — including family law, housing, immigration, disability rights, child welfare, education, consumer, identity theft, employment rights and public benefits.
MLRI and NASW-MA Applaud the Baker Administration and Massachusetts Legislature for Breaking Down Barriers to Increase Access to Public Benefits
BOSTON – Following years of advocacy by more than 150 anti-poverty and public health organizations, on February 15, 2022, the Baker Administration announced their plan to allow low-income households the right to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the same time they sign-up for MassHealth. This implements a legislative directive included in both the FY21 and FY22 state budgets, representing a significant step toward a streamlined application process for means-tested benefits that has widespread bipartisan support in the legislature, impacting roughly 600,000 MassHealth recipients who likely qualify for SNAP.
Statement of Patricia Baker, Senior Policy Advocate, in response to SNAP & MassHealth application change
For too long, Massachusetts households in need have faced bureaucratic obstacles in order to access benefits they need to make their rent payment or put food on the table. For anyone seeking assistance, times are already difficult for them and we should be doing everything we can to ease the burden.