Budget analysts across the country are working to figure out how the new federal relief package affects local budgets.
Local Aid Policy
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.
Download Education Aid Files
The files on this page are related to the Education Aid series of pages on this website. Please do contact me if you notice apparent errors in the analysis on these pages.
State Funding for Local Housing Authorities
In April, Senator Brownsberger presented a letter to Town Meeting regarding the Belmont Housing Authority’s application for Community Preservation Act funds to help pay for an electrical upgrade at one of its properties. The Belmont Board of Selectmen responded expressing concern that the state is providing insufficient financial support for the local housing authority. Here is Senator Brownsberger’s subsequent letter to the Selectmen, which agrees with their concern.
S207, An Act to revive the Foundation Budget Review Commission
Senator Brownsberger submitted the following written testimony to the Joint Committee on Education. TO: Joint Committee on Education FROM: Senator William N. Brownsberger RE: House Bill 457 and Senate Bill 207, An Act to revive the Foundation Budget Review Commission DATE: October 17, 2013 I am writing in favor of An Act to revive […]
Basing Aid on the 2006 Reform
The 2006 education aid reform was designed to allocate aid based on a better model of community ability to pay. It was intended that the new model would be phased in over 5 years. Since 2009 (Fiscal 2010), as a response to the financial crunch, we have made formula modifications that have tended to preserve […]