Association for Behavioral Healthcare Statement on FY 2011 Budget

The Association for Behavioral Healthcare is pleased that the Legislature level-funded some of the most critical behavioral health services provided by the Commonwealth in the FY 2011 budget. In particular, the budget largely protects from cuts essential community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment services.

The budget plan reflects a fiscally responsible approach to the unique circumstances surrounding the stalemate in Washington over the so-called FMAP reimbursement funds, which could result in an unanticipated $650 million state budget cut. Legislative leaders established a contingency fund that would allocate FMAP funds if and when they become available.

The Legislature also established a separate Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Fund, which will collect all proceeds from the alcohol sales tax and dedicate the funds for addiction treatment, prevention and recovery programs that benefit more than 100,000 people in Massachusetts. This marks a significant step forward that will establish a reliable funding source for important public health services.

ABH urges Governor Patrick to sign the budget passed by the Legislature and create the Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Fund.

Poll Shows 58% of Public Oppose Alcohol Tax Repeal

For Immediate Release Contact: Jim McManus
617-5230038
Jim@sloweymcmanus.com

Poll Shows 58% of Public Oppose Alcohol Tax Repeal
Hundreds Rally at State House to Support Dedicated Treatment Fund
Boston, MA -- June 8, 2010 – By a wide margin, Massachusetts voters oppose repealing the alcohol sales tax, according to a poll released today by the Campaign for Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, a group of more than 125 public health and behavioral health organizations from across the state that oppose the alcohol tax repeal.
The sales tax on alcohol retail sales is being challenged through a ballot initiative supported by package store owners in November that would repeal the tax.
“Massachusetts residents clearly see the importance of using the alcohol sales tax to support public health services for youths and families,” said Vic DiGravio, and Maryanne Frangules, Co-Chairs of the Campaign. “It is also clear that people understand that the state needs revenues, and there should be no special exemption from the sales tax for alcohol.”
DiGravio is president of the Association for Behavioral Healthcare. Frangules is executive director of Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery.
The poll results were released today at a State House press conference and rally to support creation of a dedicated fund for proceeds from the alcohol sales tax. In the budget for Fiscal Year 2011, the House and Senate created a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund, which will dedicate alcohol tax proceeds to such services. The tax is expected to bring in $110 million in its first year.
More than 300 people gathered at the State House today to demonstrate support for the Fund and the services it funds. The supporters heard from Campaign organizers, Senator Steve Tolman (D-Brighton), a major proponent of the Fund in the Legislature, and individuals who are in recovery from alcohol addiction.
Robert L. Monahan, PhD., president of the Recovery Homes Collaborative, spoke at the press conference, along with Elizabeth Rodriquez of Methuen and a student from the Recovery High School in Boston, two consumers who receive services funded in part by the alcohol tax.

The opinion poll released today shows deep and broad opposition to repealing the tax. Sixty-eight percent of women and 49 percent of men said they opposed repeal of the alcohol sales tax. Six percent were undecided.
The poll surveyed the opinions of 450 Massachusetts voters from May 3-5. The margin of error is 4.5 percent. It was conducted by Anderson Opinion Research of Boston.
The poll asked voters: “If the election were held today, would you vote yes or no on a ballot question to remove the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages?”
“There’s strong support for the alcohol tax across the state,” said DiGravio and Frangules. “By using language designed to elicit voters’ attitude toward this specific tax, we were able to obtain an accurate picture of peoples’ attitudes toward the alcohol tax.”
Other findings:
· Democrats oppose the alcohol tax repeal by 72 percent to 21 percent;
· Republicans support the alcohol tax repeal 47 to 45 percent
· For the general sales tax ballot question, which would roll back the state sales tax from 6.25 to 32 percent, 55 support the rollback, and 38 percent are opposed. Six percent are undecided.
During the recent state budget debate, the Campaign supported creation of the dedicated Fund for alcohol tax proceeds. The Fund would become law when Governor Patrick signs the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
“The Senate and the House of Representatives kept faith with the people of Massachusetts by establishing the Fund for the alcohol tax, to make sure proceeds go to public health and treatment programs,” said DiGravio and Frangules. “We urge the Governor to sign the Fund into law and create a stable funding source for these critical programs.”

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