Appropriations staff outline House changes to BAA; provider stabilization, housing and childcare reserve language added

Committee staff presented a working draft of House changes to the Budget Adjustment Act (BAA), highlighting a number of redirected appropriations, new eligibility language for provider stabilization grants, housing and pilot project allocations, and authority adjustments for special funds.

Staff said the House removed a $14 million recommended appropriation to the treasurer’s office and redistributed those dollars across several priorities. The committee heard that roughly $6 million was the amount staff expected to be available for appropriation after prior borrowings were repaid. The administration and treasurer’s office had proposed alternative uses; staff listed possible uses including a $3 million match opportunity for a federal resiliency program called Safeguarding Tomorrow, roughly $2 million for a municipal technical assistance program and a $1 million medical-debt buy-down as examples for consideration.

The House language adds a $10 million appropriation, carried into section 50 of the BAA, for provider stabilization…