The state Senate unanimously passed a $39.558 billion budget for fiscal year 2017 last Thursday, capping three days of debate that resulted in a bill slightly above the $39.508 billion House budget that passed on April 27. Several items involving Dorchester and Mattapan are included in the Senate version, including public safety improvements and work assistance for women.

State Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry’s office highlighted a number of local investments that are in the Senate budget as well as housing initiatives she championed as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing:

The Boston Police Department’s Area B-3 would receive $100,000 to install security cameras for neighborhood gathering places like Almont Park and Roberts Playground. And Mattapan’s Integrative Care Partnership, which provides access to mental and behavioral health services, was allotted $50,000.
St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children in Uphams Corner Dorchester was allocated $50,000 that was put forward in the House bill by Rep. Daniel Hunt.

Dorcena Forry secured $150,000 in the Senate for St. Mary’s “Women at Work” program, which offers women with multiple barriers to employment access to curricula and jobs intended to lead to permanent work.

In a statement, Sen. Forry said that she anticipates coordinating with the members of the local House delegation “to preserve funding for these crucial programs and organizations that help to enhance the quality of life for all residents of the First Suffolk District.”

A conference committee will now convene to hash out the differences between the budgets. The final bill is due on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk for his signature before July 1.