| Account | Description | FY2017 Spending |
FY2018 GAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3000-1020 | Quality Improvement For quality investments in early education and care, including not less than $4,000,000 to be expended for training, research and grants related to the development of the Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), of which not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for direct grants to early education and school age programs participating in the Massachusetts QRIS that are actively engaged in efforts to achieve Level 3 and Level 4 in order to improve quality in early education and school age system of care; provided, that costs related to department personnel who support quality improvement may be funded from this item, including the department's licensing staff and other personnel who ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for inspections, monitoring and training; provided further, that funds from this item shall support the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten program and inclusive learning environments grants; provided further, that supports funded through this item may include, but shall not be limited to, development and purchase of curriculum, development and implementation of early childhood assessment systems, incentives for programs to recruit, develop and retain highly qualified educators, activities that encourage providers to obtain associate and bachelor degrees, payment of fees, direct assistance to programs seeking accreditation by agencies approved by the board of early education and care and professional development courses; provided further, that any payment made under any such grant with a school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of such city, town or regional school district and held as a separate account and, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without municipal appropriation; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for a comprehensive statewide study, conducted by the University of Massachusetts at Boston, relative to the early education and care workforce in the commonwealth |
30,004,497 | 30,112,455 |
Veto Explanation: I am striking language which earmarks funding for a program not recommended. The reduction in the item incorporates the amount of the stricken earmarked funds.