Will Brownsberger -- State Representative, Democrat, 24th Middlesex District

Hi Will – you may remember that the state has been through bad times before and there were lots of creative ways of saving money. I was reminded of one way today in a discussion with a colleague from Canada — it’s quite simple — you can cut upwards of $2mm from the budget by eliminating [...]

The state’s stabilization (or “rainy day”) fund is designed to buoy the state through tough economic times, and it has certainly been used in the recent recession.  This post will examine the set-up of the fund, the recent history of its use, and its future in getting the state through the Great Recession. The stabilization [...]

Will, I am hearing Massachusetts stands to gain $400m in new Stimulus funds this year specifically for keeping or hiring Teachers. I understand this is part of an amendment to the Iraq/Afghanistan funding Bill and should be voted on soon in the Senate. I know you always thought there would be another round of stimulus [...]

Will, As you well know many Towns and Cities are in crisis mode dealing with budget shortfalls. In Belmont we are looking at approx a $3.2m deficit assuming a $300k transfer from free cash is applied.  An Override is on the table but it is uncertain it will pass and the consequences of passing it [...]

My name is Bill Knowlton and I live in Belmont. I have worked with homeless individuals for over 15 yrs. I want to request your help as my elected Representative to have Governor Patrick rethink and rescind the budget reduction to 7004-0102. This item targeted for homeless unaccompanied adult men and women is money that goes [...]

Will, I am a Belmont resident and animal lover.  I don’t see the point of having two ailing zoos that get by on minimal funding.  I have never been to the Franklin or Stone Zoo, but I have read about the funding controversy in the Globe.  I have also read a comment posted by another [...]

Hi Will, Was wondering if there is anything we can do to prevent the buyout of Grabauskas’s contract for the ridiculous $300K+ value yet still see him depart?  I do not understand why the state must digest this payoff.

Where do you stand on reestablishing the funding for legal immigrants’ healthcare insurance?

As one whose driving is very limited, I am extremely disturbed by the prospect of yet more service cuts. The T needs to employ prudent fiscal management rather than place the burden squarely on the shoulders of riders and other taxpayers.  That well is running dry!  Thank you, Rep. Brownsberger, for informing us about the [...]

This is a question from the former director of public art in Cambridge: might you support state funding for the arts through a one-percent-for-art law, by which one percent of capital funding for a particular building project goes to a site-relevant public art work?

The state’s dropping of health care for legal immigrants hit home for me, and I find it completely unjust. My family immigrated here about two decades ago. Although most of us are naturalized by now, and we anyways have private health care, I was horrified by my state’s decision to cut care for legal immigrants [...]

Table of notable FY10 budget line items, updated with finalized numbers for the fy10 budget as determined by the joint House and Senate Conference Committee.

I’m writing this email both as a constituent of your district and twitter follower, as well as an advocate for youth mentoring programs. As you know, Governor Patrick vetoed 16 line items from the FY2010 budget on Monday, one of which was the Mentoring Matching Grants line item (7061-9634), which this year supported 21 mentoring [...]

I have been reading about the idea of having a budget transparency website where citizens can get information easily.  Apparently, there are 23 states using this system and wonder what your thoughts are on the pros and cons of this.