Representatives John H. Rogers (D- Norwood), Louis L. Kafka (D-Stoughton), Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), and Daniel B. Winslow (R-Norfolk) and Senator James E. Timilty (D-Walpole) are pleased to announce that Governor Patrick has signed the FY2012 State Budget, which includes $750,000 for the Town of Walpole as host of MCI Cedar Junction. 

Walpole is the only town to receive a specified amount in the budget to help cover the costs of hosting a prison facility.  The Walpole delegation worked together to restore this essential funding to the Town of Walpole.  This funding which recognizes the burden that hosting Cedar Junction places on the Town of Walpole was initiated by Rep. Rogers in FY 04 and continued each year until it was eliminated by the governor during FY08.  Prison Mitigation funding has always been a high priority of the Walpole delegation and they worked hard despite the slow economic recovery to restore the funding for the coming year. 

Rep. Rogers said, “If anyone wonders whether Walpole Day is a great event, you need only consider the fact the Governor left last year’s annual gathering, besieged by half the townspeople, with only two words pursed on his lips: prison mitigation.  I felt very confident that after the Governor left Walpole that day that he would sign anything we put on his desk on that subject.”

“Since this funding was cut in FY08 the entire Walpole delegation has been working diligently towards its restoration,” said Rep. Kafka.  “I am very glad that the Governor agreed with the House and Senate that the Town of Walpole is deserving of these resources.”

Rep. McMurtry stated “I am proud to take part in delivering significant and deserving mitigation funds to the citizens of Walpole and I am grateful to Governor Patrick for his support of our efforts.”

“This is great news for Walpole.  And it is a great example of how much we can accomplish when legislators on both sides of the aisle work together to solve problems.  This was a solid team effort worthy of Rebel territory.” stated Rep. Winslow. 

Sen. Timilty said, “This comes as great news that the Town of Walpole will see the restoration of prison mitigation money,” said Senator Timilty.  “The Town expends considerable resources responding to public safety calls, and I am glad to see that the Governor recognized the importance of this matter.”

In addition to the $750,000 specifically for the Town of Walpole, there is also an additional amount that will be made available to all towns that host prison facilities.  Walpole will receive its proportional share of this money as well.

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