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Local Aid and Finance MMA discusses fiscal crisis in TV interview
On Fox25 News this morning, the MMA outlined its plan to help cities and towns weather the mounting fiscal crisis.
“We’re pushing a four-point plan for reform to try to give communities the ability and the tools to manage as efficiently and effectively as possible to get through these difficult times,” said MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. “Now’s the time for reform.”
The four reforms are:
• Local-option taxing authority to reduce reliance on the property tax
• Closure of the telecommunications tax loophole
• More local control over health insurance plans
• Changes to the charter school funding formula
He said the MMA will continue working with the Legislature to minimize the impact of the budget crunch on cities and towns, but he acknowledged that residents will see the direct results of local aid cuts in services such as public safety, education, public works, and libraries.
He pointed out that Massachusetts cities and towns still have not recovered from local aid cuts in fiscal 2003 and 2004.
• Link to Fox25 Web site to view interview
• More about the MMA’s reform agenda
Local Aid and Finance MMA discusses fiscal crisis in TV interview
MMA discusses fiscal crisis in TV interview
On Fox25 News this morning, the MMA outlined its plan to help cities and towns weather the mounting fiscal crisis.
“We’re pushing a four-point plan for reform to try to give communities the ability and the tools to manage as efficiently and effectively as possible to get through these difficult times,” said MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. “Now’s the time for reform.”
The four reforms are:
• Local-option taxing authority to reduce reliance on the property tax
• Closure of the telecommunications tax loophole
• More local control over health insurance plans
• Changes to the charter school funding formula
He said the MMA will continue working with the Legislature to minimize the impact of the budget crunch on cities and towns, but he acknowledged that residents will see the direct results of local aid cuts in services such as public safety, education, public works, and libraries.
He pointed out that Massachusetts cities and towns still have not recovered from local aid cuts in fiscal 2003 and 2004.
• Link to Fox25 Web site to view interview
• More about the MMA’s reform agenda
Written by MMA Publications/Web Director John Ouellette
