Governor Vetoes $150,000 for Braintree Substance Abuse Officer

BRAINTREE, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker has said no to giving $150,000 in state funds for Braintree's fight against the opioid crisis.

The move was part of the governor's veto for $1.7 million in local substance abuse earmarks, according to state Rep. Mark Cusack. The state representative, however, expects the state legislature to override the veto.

If the funds are restored for Braintree, the money will be used to create a town office and position to address the opioid abuse epidemic. The position was approved earlier this year by the Town Council as part of the fiscal year 2017 budget.

In other budget news, $100,000 in public safety funds was signed by the governor. The town will also receive a 4.3 percent increase in local aid and 8.5 percent increase in Chapter 70 education funding. That brings Braintree local aid total to about $5.5 million and just under $16.8 million for education funding.