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Patrick: Proposed budget does not cut local aid

E-mail|Link|Comments () January 22, 2010 02:17 PM

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Governor Patrick chatting with Marlborough Mayor Nancy Stevens and Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn at today's event.

By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick announced today that his next budget will not slash local aid to cities and towns, a welcome relief to scores of selectmen, mayors, and other municipal officials who had been bracing for steep cuts.

In a speech to hundreds of local government officials at the Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting, Patrick expanded on a promise he made Thursday night in his State of the Commonwealth address, when he vowed not to cut funding for education. Improved revenue forecasts and "painful choices" in other part of the budget will allow local aid to remain intact at $5.2 billion, which includes more than $4 billion for education.

"There is some stability now coming back into the revenue picture," Patrick said. "The state is rebounding slowly but surely."

A palpable sense of relief washed over the hundreds of local government officials as Patrick made the announcement. Municipal leaders said the funding will help them keep property tax in check and avoid layoffs to teachers, firefighters, police, and others.

"There isn't a single municipal leader who didn't think local aid would be cut and cut severely," said Jeff Nutting, the town administrator for Franklin and the president of the municipal association.

While Patrick said that his budget "reflects the reality of the current economic crisis," he touted his administration's success in plugging a $9 billion budget gap during the worst economic downturn in 80 years. Despite the fiscal woes, he remained upbeat about helping cities and towns weather the storm, particularly in education.

"No school district will receive less this year than last year," Patrick said to applause.

The governor also unveiled several new programs today designed to ease the financial burden on cities and towns. Patrick outlined plans for municipal pension relief, a limited early retirement incentive program, and a Green Communities grant program to encourage efficient and renewable energy projects.