MMA calls on Legislature to level-fund local aid

February 26, 2010

In a letter sent to legislators today, the MMA is calling on the Legislature to act quickly on a local aid resolution that would guarantee every community at least the same level of local aid in fiscal 2011 as it is receiving this year.

Such a resolution would follow the recommendations in the state budget bill filed by the governor on Jan. 27, which would level-fund the main municipal and school aid accounts at a total of $5 billion.

Previewing his budget at the MMA Annual Meeting in January, Gov. Deval Patrick announced that his plan would make sure that no municipality or school district receives less Chapter 70 school aid or unrestricted general government aid (formerly Additional Assistance and Lottery distributions) than it did in fiscal 2010.

At a Feb. 22 joint hearing before the House and Senate Ways and Means committees in Amherst that focused on municipal and school accounts, the MMA asked that the Legislature approve a local aid resolution in March using the governor’s local aid recommendations.

• MMA letter to legislators: Cities, towns and taxpayers need a resolution that level funds local aid