A legislative conference committee named to iron out differences between House and Senate versions of a fiscal 2023 closeout supplemental budget released a compromise bill on Nov. 30. The bill (H. 4204) has not yet crossed the finish line, however. It will need to pass during an informal session in both chambers, as the House…
As the formal legislative session came to a close for the calendar year yesterday, the House and Senate were unable to reach a consensus on a fiscal 2023 closeout supplemental budget bill, and a six-member conference committee was named to resolve differences between the two branches. Bills passed by the House on Nov. 8 and…
The Senate late yesterday passed a $2.8 billion supplemental budget bill to close out fiscal 2023 that includes funding to address the ongoing emergency shelter crisis, conditional funding to address extraordinary special education cost increases, and important municipal finance rule changes. The Senate bill (S. 2502), similar to the House version passed last week, would…
The Honorable Aaron M. Michlewitz, House Chair The Honorable Michael J. Rodrigues, Senate Chair Joint Committee on Ways and Means State House, Boston Delivered electronically Dear Chair Michlewitz and Chair Rodrigues: On behalf of the cities and towns of the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Municipal Association deeply appreciates your strong support for local government, including the…
Looking to close the books on fiscal 2023, Gov. Maura Healey filed a final supplemental budget bill on Sept. 13 that would allocate additional funding for several key priorities. The bulk of the $2.15 billion spending plan would be dedicated to MassHealth, to continue a payment strategy that allows the state to spread the impact…
The MMA today published the September 2023 issue of The Beacon, which includes the latest news affecting local government — including the change in leadership at the MMA — plus details about upcoming MMA meetings and webinars. Here are some highlights: • Incoming Executive Director Chapdelaine prepares for MMA’s future • Geoff Beckwith reflects on…
Dear Senator, We are writing to express our deep appreciation for the many provisions in the Senate Ways & Means Committee budget proposal (S. 3) that benefit and support cities and towns across the Commonwealth. We also welcome the opportunity to offer comments and insights on proposed amendments that will be before you next week,…
A fiscal 2023 supplemental budget bill that Gov. Maura Healey filed on March 17 includes a number of policy proposals that seek to modernize and streamline certain municipal finance rules. The proposed municipal finance rule changes share many similarities with a series proposed by the Baker-Polito administration last spring that ultimately did not become law.…
The Healey-Driscoll administration today filed a $734 million fiscal 2023 supplemental budget bill that includes $75 million for a reserve to help school districts with extraordinary increases in special education costs. The special education funding is intended to help offset the impact of a decision made by the Operational Services Division last October allowing private…
From the Beacon, June 2022 Uvalde, Texas, is more than 2,000 miles away. It’s a place that few of us knew existed — until May 24. And now Uvalde will be forever associated with violence, tragedy, death, pain and heartbreaking loss. Buffalo, N.Y., is only 325 miles from the Massachusetts border. We’ve all heard of…
