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Local towns would get more state aid
By Matt Kakley January 24, 2008 … The town of Milford would receive a 10 percent increase in local aid and Franklin would receive an additional 7 percent under Gov. Deval Patrick's budget proposal. Under the governor's spending plan, Franklin would receive more than $2 million in increased aid over this year's budget and Milford would get an additional $1.5 million. The governor called for an increase in funding for every Massachusetts school district. His proposal also protects against a potential shortfall in money cities and towns get from the state lottery. "It is vitally important that (municipalities) receive adequate state aid," said state Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford. "But, it is important to realize that the state is under the same pressures to find revenues to make things work." To pay for that increase in aid, Patrick plans to use money raised from casino licensing fees, which he projects will bring in $800 million to the state in the coming year. Also included in his budget is nearly $297 million in projected revenue from closing corporate tax loopholes. Patrick's use of those proposals to balance his budget has drawn criticism from many local lawmakers because it is not certain the Legislature will approve the tax increases or casino gambling. The governor "is counting money that isn't even there yet," said state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge. "We haven't even debated the issue of casinos yet." Fernandes agreed. "Neither of the two proposals have yet gained the traction that warrants relying on them," he said. "I would never build a budget around money I'm not sure about." Read the full story at the Milford Daily News. |
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