BOSTON — Massachusetts cities and towns could be getting an additional $125 million in local assistance under a plan approved by the House and Senate.
The proposal would send another $25 million to communities in unrestricted aid and an extra $100 million in school assistance.
House lawmakers approved the measure Wednesday after rejecting a Republican proposal which would have set higher local aid numbers.
“Both Democrats and Republicans disagreed with the governor’s House Budget 2 because it did not include sharing any increases with cities and towns,” said State Senator Don Humason (R-Westfield.) “We had thought some of that increase would have been included in local aid.”
Humason also said that lottery increases were not included in the budget, which is required by law.
Local aid and school aid are two of the biggest line items for cities and towns in the annual state budget.
Municipal leaders routinely complain that uncertainty about local aid makes it harder for them to pass their own budgets, which can occur before the state budget is approved.
Candidate for State Representative John Velis said it was “great news” that the House approved the legislation.
“Local aid, in my opinion, is the key to any number of issues,” said Velis. “Local aid has been decreasing – Westfield has lost $5 million since 2008 – and my position is local aid has to increase. Level-funded aid is not acceptable at this time.”
“It was Republicans this week that passed a resolution pushing the issue on more local aid and helping the communities,” said Allie. “As the next State Representative, I will support increasing local aid. I will push to also send back to the communities more aid from the lottery that is available.”
The Massachusetts Senate has joined lawmakers in the House in approving an additional $125 million in local assistance for cities and towns.
The state budget is supposed to be signed by the governor by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
