House Ways and Means Proposes $1 Million Cut to Newton Local Aid

The House Ways and Means Committee released its proposed state budget today. They propose to cut about a million dollars (5%) of Newton's local aid package. Governor Patrick had pretty-much proposed level funding at about $20 million. Hopefully, the full House of Representatives and Senate will restore at least some of the proposed cut, $800 thousand of which is in the form of Chapter 70 School Aid. The cut can be restored without cutting other programs, since the House Ways & Means Budget simply by closing sime tax loopholes, as proposed by Governor Patrick. (I'm picking up the phone now to call my state representative and state sentator asking them to work for the restoreation of the cut.)

The good news is that local forecasts in Newton had been based on an assumed $2 million cut, so our Fiscal Year 2011 budget is likely to be in better shape than previously expected, especially if new construction and hotel occupancy rates pick up during the recovery.

Comments

[Ken Parker]

Rep. Ruth Balser has agreed to file an amendment on the House floor to restore the cuts. Please call her to thank her and contact other state representatives to ask them to support the amendment. Thanks!