Legislature Overrides Governor Veto to Secure Funding
for Innovative Program to Address Nursing Shortage

Berry and Keenan vote to save Salem State College Programs

____Senate Majority Leader Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) and Representative John D. Keenan (D-Salem) have successfully secured $922,313 in funding in the fiscal year 2007 state budget for an innovative training program for new nurses. The Second Degree Program, a joint venture between Salem State College and North Shore Medical Center, is designed for students returning to college for a second career in nursing. The costs of training these students as nurses is less than more traditional nursing education since students enter the program with a previous bachelor's degree.
____Both the House of Representatives and the Senate had to override Governor Romney's veto of these programs this week in order to save them from elimination in the state budget.
____ "The Governors attempt to eliminate the nurses program is just another example of how out of touch he really is." said Senator Berry. He continued, "We have a significant nursing shortage in this state, the Governor is either unaware of it, or choosing to ignore it. Both the College and North Shore Medical Center have impressed upon me the importance of this program to train and educate a qualified nursing workforce."
____ In September 2004 the Legislature also appropriated funding for this program at Senate Berry's urging. That appropriation, included in a supplemental budget bill, was vetoed by Governor Mitt Romney. The money was again vetoed in the fiscal year 2006 budget and overridden by the legislature at that time. Representative Keenan played a key role in the override, "Last year, I was proud to make my maiden speech in the House about the importance of the Second Degree Nursing Program at Salem State College. The nursing program helps alleviate the nursing shortage in Massachusetts and improves the quality of healthcare in our Commonwealth."
____"The nursing shortage is real and Salem State and North Shore Medical have put together a smart plan to begin to address what is a true health care crisis. The Governor needs to acknowledge that this is a crisis and be part of the solution." said Berry. Nancy D. Harrington, President of Salem State College said, "We are grateful for the continued support of the legislature for this program. It is key to providing a solution to the nursing shortage in our state."
____In addition to the nursing program, $200,000 for the college's aquaculture program was overridden. "The aquaculture lab, is more than just a standard academic program," stated Representative Keenan. "The aquaculture facility provides scientific and technical assistance to our important fishing industry on the North Shore, and in all of Massachusetts."