MA House FY20 Budget Includes Local Aid Boosts to 5th Middlesex

BOSTON- Representative David P. Linsky (D-Natick) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing its budget for the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) yesterday evening, which included significant increases to local aid across the Fifth Middlesex District. In addition to local aid, the over $42.7 billion spending bill targets areas such as education, health and human services, housing and homelessness, and substance use disorder services.

“My colleagues and I worked together to craft a budget that exhibits a commitment to our constituents while also being fiscally sound and addressing some of the most important issues in our Commonwealth,” said Representative Linsky. “The FY20 budget includes necessary local aid funding to keep our cities and towns, and public schools, running to the highest of standards, as well as increased funding to combat the opioid crisis, and housing and homelessness.”

The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) was funded in the FY20 budget at $23,642,583, a $1,460,000 increase over the FY19 funding. The increased funding closes the remainder of the estimated gap in transportation funding leftover from the FY19 budget.

“As the House Chair of the METCO Caucus, I was incredibly excited to see the House prioritize METCO in the FY20 budget, with an almost $1.5m increase that will help with transportation for the METCO program,” said Representative Linsky. “METCO is a model for the rest of the country and a critical asset in our effort to narrow education inequality in Massachusetts, and I will continue to advocate for adequate funding and resources to ensure this vital program remains vibrant in our Commonwealth.”

In addition to funding important programs and services throughout the Commonwealth, Representative Linsky also secured items for the Fifth Middlesex District:

Chapter 70 Education Funding:

• Millis received $4,831,312, which is a $434,380 increase over FY19.
• Natick received $10,120,767, which is a $405,913 increase over FY19.
• Sherborn received $693,583, which is a $13,204 increase over FY19.
• Dover-Sherborn Regional High School received $2,282,394, a $104,970 increase over FY19.
• Tri-County Regional High School received $5,716,838, a $29,430 increase over FY19.
• Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School received $5,315,525, a $566,171 increase over FY19.

Unrestricted General Government Aid (Local Aid):

• Millis received $1,111,757, a $29,228 increase over FY19.
• Natick received $4,046,428, a $106,381 increase over FY19.
• Sherborn received $230,013, a $6,047 increase over FY19.

Other 5th Middlesex Funding Included:

• Natick Veteran’s Oral History Project received $30,000.
• The International Museum of World War II, which is located in Natick, received $50,000.
• Millis received $35,000 to conduct a feasibility study for the design and construction of a new Senior Center.
• Millis received $100,000 to conduct a study of the town’s building and facilities.
• Millis received $100,000 for the repair and reconstruction of the Dover Road/West Street Bridge.
• Millis received $10,000 for camp programming for children and adults with special needs.
• Sherborn received $50,000 for exterior safety improvements to the Town Hall campus.

“I am particularly pleased that I was able to secure funds for Millis to create camp programming for children and adults with special needs, for Sherborn’s exterior safety improvements to the Town Hall, and for the International Museum of World War II, which is located in Natick, to continue its important educational programs,” said Representative Linsky. “It is always my main priority to ensure that the towns of the Fifth Middlesex get important local aid funding.”

The FY20 budget proposal now goes to the Massachusetts State Senate, where debate begins in May.

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For More Information: Abigail Silverman (617) 722-2575