May 23, 2024
BOSTON, MA – This week, the Massachusetts Senate continues to deliberate through the FY2025 state budget amendments that have been filed in the Senate. As amendments are adopted, rejected, bundled and withdrawn, a disproportionate obstacle is presented for communities of color in the Commonwealth.
Consistent with years past, Black-led organizations such as the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) disproportionately face obstacles when advocating for their annual funding from the state. A simple review of withdrawn and rejected amendments in Health and Human Services and Economic Development bears this out. BECMA, MIRA, Justice 4 Housing, and the New Commonwealth Fund are but a few of organizations led by people of color that were overlooked in the Senate budget debate. In the coming fiscal year, the LDBPI needs $6 million to provide its essential services statewide. They anticipate, based on 30 years of service to the people of Massachusetts, meeting this need calls for a minimum of $600,000 allocated to the LDBPI’s earmark in the state operating budget.
This past January, Governor Maura Healey released her proposed budget for FY2025. The LDBPI was surprised and disappointed to see that Governor Healey proposed cutting funding for survivors of homicide victims by one-third. Maura Healey has long been a champion for victims’ rights, and has said repeatedly that the work that the LDBPI does is integral to the state’s homicide response and violence prevention policies.
Earlier this month, the LDBPI worked collaboratively with State Representative Chris Worrell (5th Suffolk) to amend the Governor’s budget and secure $600,000 in the House of Representatives to support services provided to communities impacted murder, trauma, grief and loss. Senator Nick Collins (First Suffolk), filed an amendment in the Senate consistent with what passed through the House. Despite its bipartisan support, the amendment was rejected by the Senate.
These roadblocks in the Senate are not new territory for Black-led organizations that annually seek funding through the state, nor for communities of color statewide that rely on state funding to sustain essential services. For the LDBPI, they understand that homicides, suicides and overdose death are still occurring across Massachusetts, and the number of survivors grow exponentially year after year. And although the case is made for a need for a greater statewide investment in violence prevention and response, organizations like the LDBPI will continue to tirelessly advocate for what is only 0.00001% of the state’s $58 billion operating budget.
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About the Louis D. Brown Peace InstituteThe Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) is a center of Healing, Teaching and Learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss. For 30 years, the LDBPI has served as an integral partner to the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and has developed best practices in serving families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss statewide. The LDBPI offers resources to families seeking support, and training to providers on best practices in the field of homicide response. Learn more at www.LDBpeaceinstitute.org.
Contact:
Luis Antonio Thompson, Luisantonio@LDBpeaceinstitute.org
Taylor Lee, Taylor@LDBpeaceinstitute.org