Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick delivered his final budget to lawmakers last week. The $36.4 billion plan proposes increasing spending by 4.9 percent over the current fiscal year.
The 2015 fiscal year spending plan includes increased funding for education and affordable health care, and addresses youth and urban violence. Patrick’s plan includes a $205 million increase in education funding, with $3 million going to support full-day kindergarten. The budget proposes a record $100 million hike in Chapter 70 local education aid, which would bring the state funding level to $4.4 billion. It boils down to a $25 increase for every commonwealth student. The funding mark would be the highest in state history and 34 percent greater than when the Democrat took office in 2007. Patrick says this is the latest in the state’s continued commitment to education.
“Part of the reason why the schools are succeeding is that we’re investing ideas and time in education, not just money,” said Patrick.
Second Berkshire District Representative Paul Mark is the Vice Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Higher Education. The Democrat says he will work for even more higher education support than the $68.4 million proposed by Patrick in order to have the state fund 50 percent of a student’s cost at a state college.
“The levels of funding the governor has right now I don’t think they’re adequate to get to that 50-50 split,” said Mark.
While the governor is proposing a record level of Chapter 70 funding, a majority of aid to cities and towns remained steady within his plan. Mark and fellow DemocraticState Representative Gailanne Cariddi of North Adams say they will be addressing this as the House drafts its budget.
“There are a number of line items in local aid that have not been funded above an inflationary level,” said Cariddi.
The budget’s 4.9 percent increase aligns with projected revenue growth of 4.9 percent in new tax revenues. Patrick is again proposing $57 million in new tax revenues by applying the state's sales tax to candy and soda. Cariddi says this piece will garner discussion, while Mark is doubtful the proposal will hold up.
“I just don’t think that’s something that there is going to be a lot of stomach for in the House of Representatives or the Senate,” said Mark.
Democratic State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield says she supports the candy and soda tax and is optimistic about it.
“The idea that we call this food is such an issue,” Farley-Bouvier said. “That’s something we pay for twice. We’re not collecting those tax revenues and then as our population becomes more obese and we have those health issues because of it we’re then paying again in health care costs.”
Mark, Cariddi and Farley-Bouvier say they support expanding the bottle redemption law to sports drinks and water, an action denied by the legislature for the past 15 years. Patrick’s budget expects to draw $24 million in revenue from the tax expansion.
“This year we’re in a better position than ever because we have the strength of the ballot question behind us,” said Farley-Bouvier.
The budget also anticipates $20 million in operating taxes from the state’s first gambling establishments, as proposals continue to be heard by the state’s gaming commission. The governor did not try to revive a 1 percent income tax increase rejected by the legislature last year. Instead, lawmakers opted for a 3-cent-per-gallon tax hike on gas and $1-per-pack increase on cigarettes.
“I’m proud of this budget,” Patrick said. “It’s a good budget. It’s a sensible budget. But, remember that last year the Legislature did raise taxes and I don’t think we can come back year after year asking for significant tax increases.”
An additional $175 million in revenue would come from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, half of what was used to balance the previous budget. The budget now heads to the legislature.
