Nguyen: Over $200K In MA House Budget For Merrimack Valley Towns

Press release from state Rep. Tram Nguyen's office:

Thursday, April 29, 2021 — After a marathon week of considering the state budget and all of its amendments, State Representative Tram Nguyen (D-Andover) is pleased to announce that she and her colleagues have brought state funding back to each town in the 18th Essex district.

“This budget cycle was particularly successful for our district because local officials in each town kept my office updated with the town’s needs,” explained Nguyen. “Working together, we were able to offset the costs of important town projects, and even fund initiatives that the community would otherwise not be able to afford. I am grateful to the Speaker, Chair Michlewitz, and their staff for their hard work and for including funding for our towns in the budget. I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition.”

In Andover, Rep. Nguyen was able to secure $50,000 in state funds for design costs to refurbish the historic cupola on Memorial Hall Library.

In North Andover, Rep. Nguyen partnered with Rep. Christina Minicucci (D-North Andover) to secure $25,000 for the North Andover Fire Department to purchase a pickup truck and $65,000 in state funding for the Osgood Pond Boardwalk and Trail.

Rep. Christina Minicucci (D-North Andover) said, "I was proud to work alongside Representative Nguyen in sponsoring an amendment that would allocate $65K for the creation of the Osgood Pond Boardwalk and Trail in North Andover. We also secured $25,000 in funding that will assist the Town in purchasing a new safety vehicle for the Fire Department. Many thanks to the Speaker, Chair Michlewitz, and their staff for their hard work and for including these important earmarks in this year’s budget."

For Tewksbury, Rep. Nguyen and Rep. David Robertson (D-Wilmington) together made successful requests for $100,000 in funding for the costs of Tewksbury Police and Fire Departments to transport patients to Tewksbury State Hospital, as well as funding to maintain the same number of beds at the state hospital as in FY21.

Rep. David Robertson (D-Wilmington) stated, "We know House leadership made many difficult decisions during this year's budget debate. We are grateful to collaborate with Rep. Nguyen and our local government colleagues to ensure that Tewksbury receives the funds necessary to meet the needs of our public safety officials and

Tewksbury State Hospital to maintain a continuity of service during the ongoing pandemic. I am thankful for the leadership of Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, and the hard work of their staff for understanding the importance of funding public safety and our State Hospitals to meet the ever-evolving needs of communities throughout the Commonwealth."

Finally, for Boxford, Rep. Nguyen secured $75,000 in funding toward making the new Community/Senior Center ADA-accessible. Boxford’s current senior center is 180 years old, is not ADA compliant, and has been unable to reopen under COVID-19 guidelines.

“Before COVID-19, I used to hold office hours in the Boxford Senior Center, so I know its limitations,” said Nguyen. “Boxford seniors -- indeed, the whole community -- deserve a safe, accessible gathering place, and this state funding will help make that happen.”

Rep. Nguyen also serves as Vice Chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, which, due to the work of Chair Josh Cutler (D-Pembroke) and committee staff, gained some key provisions in the House Budget. With a commitment to investing in the working people of the Commonwealth, the House budget includes funding for YouthWorks, a jobs program for at-risk youth; MassHire Career Centers; and the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, which provides occupational training opportunities for workers. Also funded were Career Technical Institutes; and the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The budget also included increased funding for Small Business Technical Grants, which provide technical assistance or training programs to small businesses in Massachusetts. Additionally, the budget created a brand new Offshore Wind Energy Career Training Fund, and established a one-time refundable Disability Hiring Tax Credit.

“All of these initiatives help train people to work and create jobs,” said Nguyen. “These programs will not only help us recover from the economic shutdown; it will help build a broader, more inclusive workforce where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

The House of Representatives passed the budget 160-0, and it now goes to the Senate.

This press release was produced by state Rep. Tram Nguyen's office. The views expressed are the author's own.