(BOSTON) –Senator Brian A. Joyce voted recently for a fiscal year 2011 supplemental budget that will provide $15 million for costs to the Commonwealth related to the damage caused by the severe storms and tornadoes on June 1, 2011. The spending plan, which totals $50.3 million, provides funding for time sensitive deficiencies and other necessary spending items in fiscal year 2011.
 
 
Funds can be accessed by all state agencies and departments, and are aimed at offsetting the costs incurred during the initial response and aftermath of the destructive storms which spanned over 39 miles. The funds can be used by state agencies to offset the costs of emergency response, clean-up and provide assistance and shelter to those who need it.
 
 
The additional state funding follows last week’s announcement that President Barack Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery from the disaster. The declaration makes federal funding available for individual assistance to Hampden and Worcester counties and makes funding for public assistance available to Hampden County. Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards is also available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. All counties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
 
 
Though the costs accrued by this disaster will be great, this reserve will begin the process of repairing the lives of many citizens, some who have lost everything. In addition, this bill permits cities and towns damaged by the June 1 tornado to assess property values based on the condition of the property on June 30, 2011 for the purposes of assessing Fiscal Year 2012 taxes.
 
 
In addition, the $50.3 million spending bill also includes $10 million for grants to youth violence prevention programs and funding to meet other budget deficiencies. Of the total spending, $25 million is for time sensitive deficiencies caused primarily by the June 1 storms and tornadoes, and unanticipated increases in caseload for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-related child care.