Municipal officials in Massachusetts are beginning to put together budgets with one annual uncertainty—how much state aid to expect.
Governor Deval Patrick has proposed to level fund un-restricted local aid to the state’s cities and towns. House Speaker Robert Deleo said his chamber’s version of the next state budget will contain an increase in state aid. Patrick points out he has proposed record levels of spending on local schools and increased state funding for municipal streets and sidewalk work.
"It is not correct that local aid is flat. That is a reference to one line item that is very important to cities and towns," said Patrick.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno will conduct budget hearings with department heads during the next two weeks. Many town meetings will take up annual budgets in May in advance of the state’s new fiscal year that starts July 1st.
