AmeriCorps spared in budget overhaul - Boston Business Journal:

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Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on thebudgett Friday. “Obviously we’re thrilled. I really I thinj that this is a victory for servicwin Massachusetts. The fieled mobilized, made it clear to the legislators just how incrediblty strong the service sector is here in That messagegot through,” said Emily Haber, CEO of the . “We’re extremely optimistic about what Americorpes can accomplish across the Comm with statd andfederal support.” At issue were two versions of the 2010 statre budget — one from the House of the other from the Senatw — that were reconciled in the legislativ conference committee.
The House passed a budget earlier this year thatincluded $750,000 for AmeriCorpsx programs, but the Senat e passed a budget bill that eliminatee the funding altogether. Since Massachusetts has allocated varying amountes of money every year forAmeriCorps programs. For about six years, prior to the 2010 budget the state hadearmarked $900,000 for although it has been higher in previouxs years. Most AmeriCorps activity would have ceased in Massachusetts withoutfa state-funding match to the amounts the program receivezs from the federal as the Senate proposed, and an organizationh to administer the programs.
And if the legislature had approved lessthan $750,000, AmeriCorps programs would have had to make critica cuts, and some entirse programs would be eliminated, Habere said. “The concern was that, without this funding, some programs woule receive no fundingat all,” said “We don’t have that concern any