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Local Aid and Finance MMA commends House budget framework
The MMA today released a statement applauding Speaker Salvatore DiMasi’s announcement of the framework of the House’s upcoming state budget bill for fiscal 2009.
DiMasi announced today that the House plan would fully fund the $935 million Lottery aid account and the scheduled $223 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid. He said the House budget would fund local aid programs without relying on separate legislation or revenue sources.
The speaker said the House would not go along with the governor’s proposal to include $124 million in casino licensing revenues in the fiscal 2009 budget. Instead, the House will propose raising $152 million by increasing the state’s cigarette tax by $1 a pack.
The state faces a projected $1.3 billion budget gap for fiscal 2009.
The House is scheduled to begin its budget hearings Thursday. Updates will be posted regularly on this Web site as details become available.
• Download MMA statement on House budget framework (52K PDF)
• Speaker DiMasi’s budget framework presentation (44K PDF)
The following is the text of the MMA statement on the House budget announcement:
On behalf of the cities and towns of the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Municipal Association applauds the House budget framework announced today by Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, and in particular expresses appreciation and thanks for the commitment to fully fund the $935 million Lottery aid account and the scheduled $223 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid.
The House budget framework commits to funding these two vital local aid programs within the fiscal 2009 state budget act, without relying on separate legislation or revenue sources. This is an important and welcome step that will provide certainty and predictability for cities and towns as they work to balance their own budgets during an exceedingly difficult and challenging budget year.
Communities are essential to our state’s economic health, delivering the vital services that keep and attract families and businesses to Massachusetts. Left unchecked, the fiscal distress confronting our localities will continue to weaken and damage our economy. Municipal leaders look forward to working in close partnership with the speaker, the Senate president, the Ways and Means committees, all members of the House and Senate, and the Patrick-Murray administration to build a stronger economy and a brighter future for the communities, residents and businesses of Massachusetts.
Local Aid and Finance MMA commends House budget framework
MMA commends House budget framework
The MMA today released a statement applauding Speaker Salvatore DiMasi’s announcement of the framework of the House’s upcoming state budget bill for fiscal 2009.
DiMasi announced today that the House plan would fully fund the $935 million Lottery aid account and the scheduled $223 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid. He said the House budget would fund local aid programs without relying on separate legislation or revenue sources.
The speaker said the House would not go along with the governor’s proposal to include $124 million in casino licensing revenues in the fiscal 2009 budget. Instead, the House will propose raising $152 million by increasing the state’s cigarette tax by $1 a pack.
The state faces a projected $1.3 billion budget gap for fiscal 2009.
The House is scheduled to begin its budget hearings Thursday. Updates will be posted regularly on this Web site as details become available.
• Download MMA statement on House budget framework (52K PDF)
• Speaker DiMasi’s budget framework presentation (44K PDF)
The following is the text of the MMA statement on the House budget announcement:
On behalf of the cities and towns of the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Municipal Association applauds the House budget framework announced today by Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, and in particular expresses appreciation and thanks for the commitment to fully fund the $935 million Lottery aid account and the scheduled $223 million increase in Chapter 70 education aid.
The House budget framework commits to funding these two vital local aid programs within the fiscal 2009 state budget act, without relying on separate legislation or revenue sources. This is an important and welcome step that will provide certainty and predictability for cities and towns as they work to balance their own budgets during an exceedingly difficult and challenging budget year.
Communities are essential to our state’s economic health, delivering the vital services that keep and attract families and businesses to Massachusetts. Left unchecked, the fiscal distress confronting our localities will continue to weaken and damage our economy. Municipal leaders look forward to working in close partnership with the speaker, the Senate president, the Ways and Means committees, all members of the House and Senate, and the Patrick-Murray administration to build a stronger economy and a brighter future for the communities, residents and businesses of Massachusetts.
Written by John Ouellette
