Budget – Page 13 – Will Brownsberger

Senior Housing in Belmont

It should be possible for a percentage of Senior Housing to be set aside for working poor and the middle class. Presently people are transferring assets to their children to qualify for a place in senior housing. If the rules are not changed, I fear the Democrats will lose the support of the working class base.

The State’s Budget Woes

Unlike previous economic recoveries, revenues aren’t growing as fast as the state has budgeted. For the next couple of years, this will have an impact both on state spending–we have to work very hard to stretch available dollars–and on how revenues are estimated when state budgets are built.

MyRWA’s Clean Water Campaign

Perhaps you heard that the EPA announced the 2013 water quality grade for the Mystic River Watershed last month. Unfortunately, for the fourth year in a row the watershed received a “D” water quality grade based on bacterial contamination. Luckily, there is also good news about efforts to improve water quality throughout the watershed!

Protesters Who Block Major Highways

Protesters who are arrested, charged and convicted of blocking highways should be responsible for repaying the cost of police and fire fighters who respond to the situation, just for starters. Additionally, if any person suffers injury due to inability or delay in accessing appropriate medical attention, protesters should be held criminally and civilly liable.

FY15 Chapter 90 Local Transportation Aid

Yesterday, the administration released an additional $100 million of Chapter 90 funding to the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. Here are the amounts allocated for Belmont, Boston, and Watertown.

The Economic/Financial Outlook

Incoming Senate President Stan Rosenberg recently organized a briefing for Senators on the state’s economic and fiscal outlook. The presentations (which are attached below with permission of the authors and Senator Rosenberg) were sobering.