Mass. House Budget Debate Starts Monday April 26

As the House of Representatives begins debate on the budget, ABH asks that you contact your Representative(s) in support of ABH's priorities. The debate is expected to begin on Monday and end Thursday, April 29, so now is the time to take a few minutes to show your support.

Action Requested

Ask your Representative to oppose the following amendments:

-- Amendment 40, which would eliminate the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund. This fund is created by the House Ways and Means FY 2011 budget and is credited with sales tax revenue from the sales tax on alcohol.

-- Amendment 43, which would eliminate the sales tax on alcohol. The sales tax on alcohol is estimated to raise about $110 million to support substance abuse treatment and prevention. In addition, using taxes to raise prices on alcohol is among the most effective deterrents to drinking and underage binge drinking that researchers have discovered; it is better than law enforcement, media campaigns or school programs.

Ask your Representative to support the following amendments:

-- Amendment 604, to restore $3.2 million to the Department of Mental Health Adult Community Services account (line item 5046-000). $3.2 million would provide funding for the P.A.C.T. (Program for Assertive Community Treatment) teams in Metro Boston and Western Massachusetts Homeless Community Support/Emergency Psychiatric Services;

-- Amendment 447, Amendment 469, and Amendment 530 to restore funding for the human services salary reserve. The salary reserve would be funded at $28,000,000 and would allow for modest but essential salary increases for human service workers earning less than $40,000.

Log on to http://capwiz.com/mhsacm/home/ for more information.