Rep. Geraldo Alicea Announces House and Senate Reach Accord on Local Aid

$5 Billion Budgeted for Cities and Towns

Representative Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton) announced today that the House and Senate’s top budget writers have agreed to increase state aid to cities and towns in the FY08 Budget by $235.1 million, a 4.9 percent hike over last year in the three major categories of local aid – Chapter 70 funding for public schools, lottery aid and additional assistance. The most significant increases can be seen in Chapter 70 school funding.

“Although the Commonwealth is facing an 800 million to one billion dollar budget deficit, the Legislature has shown its commitment to the towns of Massachusetts by fully funding the Chapter 70 increases promised last year,” state Representative Alicea, “I know how important it is for the towns of the 6th Worcester District to receive this funding promised by the state in order to ensure the quality education of the students of South Worcester County.” 

Chapter 70 funding in the 6th Worcester District saw significant increases in all school districts over FY’07 funding levels. The Dudley-Charlton Regional School districts aid was increased by $880,654.00; Spencer-East Brookfield by $415,985.00 and Oxford by $362,626.00. The Southbridge School system’s Chapter 70 aid will see an increase of $880,654.00 over FY’07. 

The local aid resolution maintains the commitment the Legislature made last year in revising the Chapter 70 formula to move towards target-aid for each school district and helps ensure each individual district in the Commonwealth receives an increase over their previous allocation. The resolution also stays the course set in the last fiscal year by refusing to divert Lottery funds assigned to cities and towns to help balance the state’s budget, resulting in a $15 million increase in FY’08 to be distributed by the existing formula.

The joint local aid resolution is expected to be debated in full formal session in both chambers on Wednesday.