I am shocked that there have not been any posts to the Governor’s announcement of the $128 million cut to FY09 local aid.
Does anyone know if it listed by what each community is to be cut? I know Chap 70 is not going to be cut, but I am sure local Selectmen and city councils will adjust school budgets accordingly. Which will result to teacher lay offs.
What about FY10?
Please share widely!
Selectmen and Aldermen have absolutely no say over the school budget. School Committees determine spending, and the guidelines are established by the state, through net school spending requirements. I wouldn’t be worried about the schools at this time – they’re doing fine. The cuts are solely at the municipal level and it’s going to hurt badly. It’s kind of shocking that the governor is putting on the backs of residential taxpayers, who have been treated to double digit local (municipal) tax hikes for the last six years or so.
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p>We should just bend over and say, “yes sir, may I have another!”
Why can’t the Selectman propose a special town meeting to reduce the FY09 School Dept budget by X $ due to a decrease in FY09 local aid? After all if the local aid cut forces layoffs of police, firefighters and DPW should not the School Dept share the pain as well?
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p>If the school dept refuses then the Selectman will reduce the Town’s contribution to the FY10 budget. Assuming the town’s contribution has been above the minimum effort which most cities and towns are.
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p>Net result is probably the same. I think that CAN be done.
is set by the state and not cities and towns. Take a look at the DOE website, under Chaper 70. If a city is providing over the minimum – then certainly, those funds can be cut…but there are a number of communities that function very well with a lean budget. If the schools plan appropriately, they will be able to withstand this downturn better than their municipality will.
and how do we pay for it.
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p>It looks to me like the Governor has not only described the problem — lack of state revenue to continue to support local government at the current level, but has also offered some local option revenue sources that will help some communities.
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p>He made a strong sell to a tough crowd at the Mass Municipal Association yesterday, and the MMA’s new president Melrose Mayor Bob Donlan, with a “passion for local government” will no doubt be a strong ally.
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p>Some other folk are supportive.
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p>STATEMENT OF THOMAS GOSNELL, PRESIDENT OF THE AFT MASSACHUSETTS IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR PATRICK’S EMERGENCY RECOVERY PLAN BOSTON – We support Governor Patrick’s proposal to increase meal and hotel taxes to protect important education services. Once filed, we will urge all members of the legislature to enact this legislation that directly addresses the revenue crisis faced by local communities across Massachusetts.
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p>And the Republicans are not. Shortly to be joined by the Restaurant Association who will talk about the additional burden of collecting and sending an additional penny to their communities. Maybe the local towns and cities can dedicate that penny to strengthening their public health department’s food inspection unit.
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p>BOSTON- House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. released the following statement today in reaction to the Governor’s plan for midyear cuts.
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p>I appreciate the Governor’s efforts to keep Chapter 70 funding off the chopping block for the mid-year cuts, as well as his insistence on level-funding it for fiscal 2010. The cuts outlined today are dramatically lower than the level of cuts authorized by legislative Democrats.
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p>However, the state and local tax increases on meals and hotel rooms are a concern. The deteriorating economy is not showing any signs of improvement, and I can hardly imagine a scenario where tax increases will stimulate the economy. Furthermore, when considering the fiscal 2009 budget back in July, the Governor only vetoed $122 million, when we had been warning him for months that the economy was taking a serious downturn. I think we could have been better prepared to handle this fiscal crisis had the Governor paid more attention to our caucus.
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p>We are looking forward to analyzing the Governor’s Municipal Partnership Act II when filed next week. Based on what I have seen thus far there are some aspects we will like as well as well as several ideas we would like to add.
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p>The fact remains though we need to lead with reforms, innovations, and efficiencies before we reach once again into the taxpayer’s pocket.
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p>As for FY 10, Patrick announced that IF the legislature adopts his plan, next years total aid cut would ONLY be $225 million instead of $375 million. (Whew)
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Towns like Framingham would gain substantial revenue from this but smaller towns like Clinton, Maynard, and Hudson would NOT see substantial revenue increase. So the Governor’s proposal won’t help all communities.
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p>On a side note, went out to dinner this evening, 40 minute wait for a table and the place was packed. No sign of the recession at that place!