The legislature balanced the Fiscal 2010 budget primarily through program cuts and cost-savings, with important help from the federal government and with limited reliance on new revenues and rainy day fund usage.
Budget
budget and local aid updates, community preservation act, financial outlook, local aid policy, priorities/requests, resources, revenue, taxes
Pleas to the Budget Conference Committee
I’ve been hearing recently from dozens of people who are concerned about possible cuts in valuable state programs. I’ve also heard from many who are concerned about possible tax increases.
Cuts at the Boston Medical Center
Many have been in touch with me regarding a large cut to state funding for the Boston Medical Center. I have researched this issue and communicated concern to legislators involved in the negotiations (which relate to a supplemental budget, not the FY2010 budget).
FY10 budget line item updates
Table of the actions taken by the House on particular line items that I have been contacted about by constituents. For local aid issues, the Quinn Bill and employee health contributions, please dedicated posts on those issues.
Reform before Revenue — Scheduling Difficulties
Perhaps the main things to underline at this stage are: (a) nothing at all is settled yet about the budget, reform or revenue; (b) all the major players endorse the principle of reform before revenue and are trying to do the right thing.
Quinn bill — police educational incentives
I have been contacted by a number of folks about the Quinn bill — the police education incentive — on both sides of the issue. Today the House voted to compromise and to fund the incentive, but at a reduced state contribution level. I supported the compromise.