The Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) budget is on Governor Patrick’s desk, complete with contingencies in case Congress does not approve a Medicaid matching bill with $700 million in federal aid. Below is an e-mail on the budget – and

its provisions for high-quality early education and care — that Strategies for Children’s Early Education for All Campaign sent to supporters:

On Thursday, June 24, the state Legislature passed the Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) state budget and sent it to Governor Patrick. The governor has 10 days to sign the budget with the new fiscal year set to begin on July 1, 2010. Faced with continued fiscal pressure, the FY11 budget cuts funding across state programs, including a 4% reduction in local aid to cities and towns. Read below for more information on EEA’s priorities.

Federal funding still uncertain
Massachusetts has not received an anticipated $700 million in federal Medicaid funds. In May, U.S. representatives voted to remove a six-month extension of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Medicaid matching rate for states. Massachusetts, like 29 other states, assumed that the enhanced rate would be extended through June 30, 2011 and included the expected federal funds in its FY11 state budget. To address this funding shortfall, the FY11 state budget does the following:

• Many programs are funded assuming a percentage of the revenue will come from the “FMAP Budget Relief Fund” should Congress approve this funding.
• If the FMAP money is passed by Congress, these programs will be fully funded. If Congress does not pass FMAP, these programs will be cut by the amount of their designated FMAP Budget Relief funding.
• For example, the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) grant program funded at $8 million with 6.25% of its total allocation designated as coming from the FMAP Budget Relief Fund will receive only $7.5 million this fiscal year if FMAP is not passed.

What can you do? CALL U.S. SENATOR SCOTT BROWN
There is tremendous uncertainty about the prospects for passage of the FMAP funding in the U.S. Congress. Our United States Senator Scott Brown is a critical vote to pass the FMAP funding. Please contact Senator Brown immediately.

• Call Senator Brown at 617-565-3170 or email http://scottbrown.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
• Urge Senator Brown to vote for the FMAP funding bill

FY11 funding for EEA’s priorities
FY11 funding for EEA’s priorities passed by the state Legislature is presented below. General fund presents reduced funding for each item if FMAP funding is not received. FMAP budget relief fund presents the size of the cut to each item if FMAP funding is not received.

MA Universal Pre-Kindergarten (3000-5075)
Total FY11 funding: $8.0 million
General fund: $7.5 million (93.75%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $500,000 (6.25%)

EEC Administration (3000-1000)
Total FY11 funding: $11.52 million
General fund: $11.31 million (98.17%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $21,000 (1.83%)

Access Management (3000-2000)
Total FY11 funding: $5.93 million
General fund: $5.93 million (100%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $0 (0%)

Income Eligible (3000-4060)
Total FY11 funding: $233.53 million
General fund: $228.53 million (97.86%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $5 million (2.14%)

Head Start (3000-5000)
Total FY11 funding: $8.0 million
General fund: $7.5 million (93.75%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $500,000 (6.25%)

Quality Supports (3000-6000)
Total FY11 funding: $14.01 million
General fund: $14.01 million (100%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $0 (0%)

Mental Health (3000-6075)
Total FY11 funding: $1.0 million
General fund: $750,000 (75%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $250,000 (25%)

Services for Infants and Parents (3000-7050)
Total FY11 funding: $5 million
General fund: $5million (100%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $0 (0%)

Kindergarten Expansion Grants (7030-1002)
Total FY11 funding: $25.95 million
General fund: $22.95 million (88.44%)
FMAP budget relief fund: $3 million (11.56%)

Massachusetts State Scholarship Program (7070-0065)
funds Early Childhood Educators Scholarship
Total FY11 funding: Earmark language preserves level funding provided FMAP funding is received

We will continue to keep you informed of developments concerning the FY11 state budget. For more information please visit EEA’s website. But don’t wait, take action today. Ask Scott Brown to support passage of $700 million in FMAP funding for Massachusetts.