Tewksbury Officials Gearing Up For Local Aid Cut
Gov. Deval Patrick asking Legislature for an immediate one percent cut in local aid.
With State Government facing new budget difficulties, local officials have been told to prepare for a "trickle-down" impact.
On Tuesday, Gov. Deval Patrick announced actual state revenues were significantly lower than projections, resulting in a $540 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2013.
As a result, the governor announced he will be implementing $225 million in immediate budget cuts, some of which may impact Tewksbury.
He has also asked the Legislature to expand his authority, allowing him to make an immediate, across the board, one percent cut in state aid for FY13. In the case of Tewksbury, which has been slated to receive roughly $15.5 million in education and municipal aid this year, it would mean the loss of approximately $150,000.
"My hope is that it is just the one percent," said Town Manager Richard Montuori, at Tuesday night's Board of Selectmen's meeting. "It might impact the current budget but whatever cuts are made will have be to be factored into our budget projections for Fiscal Year 2014."
The Tewksbury Legislative Delegation (State Rep. Jim Miceli, State Rep. Paul Adams and State Sen. Barry Finegold) is scheduled to appear at the Dec. 18 Board of Selectmen meeting. This should present local officials with an excellent chance to gather more information on the state budget situation.
"I'm looking forward to hearing what insights they might be able to provide," said Selectman Doug Sears.
According to the Massachusetts Municipal Association, some of the immediate cuts being enacted by Gov. Patrick include $11.5 million from the Special Education Fund and $2.5 million from the Ch. 70 "pothole" account. It's also expected that projected sales tax shortfalls will result in the loss of around $20 million from the School Building Assistance program. All of these cuts could impact Tewksbury in some way.
Who Me?
6:47 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
What???????????
How can that be???
All the Democrats just ran on a platform of increasing local aid.....low unemployment..everything was just peachy keen.....
Remember, the so called fiscal cliff hasn't even kicked in yet so it HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
We have our own fiscal cliff here in Ma...it's called reckless over-spending.
They ADMIT to a half a BILLION deficit. What they won't tell you is that the real number is closer to at least 2 BILLION.
And this is just the budget...not MBTA, Pensions, Health Care and other fixed and on-going expenses.
Scott Brown gets kicked to the curb and John, I have no idea, Tierney gets re-elected.
People get the Government they deserve.
ME
12:07 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY THE TOWN TAKES IN?? THE LOTTERY, THE TAXES, WHY ARE WE IN SUCH A STATE. CONGRADULATIONS TO THOSE WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA AND WARREN. GOOD SHOW, NOW JUST HAND OVER YOUR LIFE SAVINGS. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??
BM
6:58 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
The truth rears it's ugly head . People just continue to believe all the liberal left's lies . Ran this platform purely so they could get re - elected . I dread these next 4 yrs ! I really do .
Rusty
7:45 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
bend over again
malcolm nichols
7:50 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Notice the organized sequence of events. 1st he hands our raises, now he goes oops, too late. I didn't realize our income/revenue was down..
Now what to do???? Let's spend less, nawww, I got it lets raise taxes (again)
Bob
9:09 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
You forgot the last step... "It was 16 years of Republican Governors"
Dan
10:27 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Got enough money to help out Illegals to get into collage, and medical support for them. Big time money for the lab scandal that this guy doesn't know what happened under his watch.
malcolm nichols
11:30 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Dan you misunderstand, giving money to away to illegals is "Investing". Don't confuse it with spending.
ps that is sarcasm for those that do not know.
T.
12:13 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
There is not a town around with more champagne ideas on a beer budget than Tewksbury, so stop your crying.