By STEVE FREKER
BOSTON — State Rep. Paul J. Donato has focused his legislative career on human services and put himself in the forefront of debates over programs supporting children and the elderly.
Donato, who was orphaned at a young age, played a key role in a newly-approved $347.7 million supplemental state budget including tax dollars for residents locally and statewide who need the most assistance, particularly those battling addiction.
Elected to a ninth term last fall to represent Malden and Medford, Donato said he supports spending state money on programs helping “our most vulnerable residents.
“We need to invest in these critical areas,” he said.
Donato said the Legislature continues to provide record-level funding to confront the behavioral health and substance addiction challenges plaguing Massachusetts. This supplemental includes more than $2.8 million for the Department of Mental Health.
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Other funding includes $5.2 million for the Department of Children and Families; just under $11 million for the Department of Developmental Services; $4.5 million for the Department of Elder Affairs; $21 million for emergency homelessness assistance and $31 million to provide legal representation for those who cannot afford it, including youths and those with mental health problems.
The bill also contains $300,000 to begin the process of regulating the recreational marijuana industry following the passage of an initiative petition this past fall.
In addition, the supplemental doubled the amount of state assistance to those public safety personnel killed in the line of duty to $300,000.