Will — Please support H.2772 and S.1676 Background http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/03/19/how-massachusetts-keeps-secrets-from-you/NatKrY9ISxepNBOLDSfzYK/story.html When the watchdog group the State Integrity Investigation graded states on how well they make public information available, Massachusetts failed. State …
FY16
The technical fight about ambulance rates
For municipal government buffs and for the record, here is a discussion of a technical issue that we voted on as an amendment to the recent supplementary/deficiency budget. The issue is insurer reimbursements to municipalities for ambulance service.
The Education Aid Conversation for FY17
Over the next few weeks, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will finalize the data underlying the Chapter 70 education aid distribution for next year and begin to explore options for tweaking the distribution formula. Over the past few years, I’ve been particularly concerned to influence the Chapter 70 formula to address the shortfall that Watertown has experienced.
MA Legislature passes FY16 state budget
We share this press release from the Senate President’s office on the passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget as enacted by H3650. You may also view Conference Committee Highlights and Conference Summary budget graphics.
Senate Press Release on the Budget
The Senate completed its budget process last night. The next step is conference with the House to reconcile differences with their budget. It was a good process under the new leadership of Senate President Stan Rosenberg and Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka — a lot of collegiality and openness in the process. I was most pleased by our successful efforts to reach consensus on a big part of the Governor’s MBTA reform package.
Senator Brownsberger submits FY16 budget priorities to Senate Ways and Means
Today, Senator Brownsberger submitted this letter to the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee outlining his budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2016. He lists many items of importance, but his top priorities are increased Chapter 70 (education) funding; full funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker Fund; full funding for the Department of Conservation and Recreation; substantial fund increases for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation; full funding of Charter School Reimbursements to local school districts; and full funding of Kindergarten Development Grants.