Legislators Secure Major Budget Victories for Winchester

BOSTON— Winchester’s state legislative delegation announced that they have secured record investments in Winchester financial priorities as they advanced the Commonwealth’s annual state budget. With the advocacy of State Senators Jason Lewis and Pat Jehlen and State Representatives Michael Day and Michelle Ciccolo, the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Massachusetts state budget includes direct appropriations to the Town of Winchester in excess of $12,245,000.

The spending plan includes a direct appropriation of $200,000 for parks and recreational facilities managed by the Town of Winchester which was secured by Representatives Day and Ciccolo and Senators Lewis and Jehlen. The delegation was careful to ensure that the Town would have ample flexibility to direct the funding to where it is most needed. As a result, Winchester town officials will be able to leverage this funding to improve playgrounds, plan for new facilities or beautify and maintain existing parkland.

The annual spending plan also includes an unprecedented $10,277,119 dollars in education funding for Winchester public schools. Known as “Chapter 70” funding, lawmakers recently updated the formula utilized to calculate the Commonwealth’s contribution to defray local education costs through passing the Student Opportunity Act. This year’s apportionment represents a 2.6% increase over FY23’s investment for Winchester.

The funding proposal also makes significant investments in supporting ongoing municipal operations. The delegation utilized the state’s unrestricted general governmental aid line item to secure $1,768,796 in direct funding for Winchester. From health care costs to building materials, expenses have increased significantly for everyone, including municipal government. This unrestricted funding, a 3.1% increase over last year’s total, will be made available to Winchester to pay for local projects.

The FY24 budget, which received final passage by the House of Representatives and Senate on July 31, 2023, provides funding for a wide range of programs and services across the Commonwealth. The budget delivers historic levels of investment in public education, housing, healthcare, workforce development, climate preparedness, and much more, as part of a comprehensive strategy to make Massachusetts more competitive and equitable for all.

“This budget will deliver substantial resources to make our communities more affordable for working families by helping to address the high costs of housing, healthcare, child care, and college,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “Having led the passage of the Student Opportunity Act as the Senate Chair of the Education Committee, I’m especially pleased to see the continuing implementation of this law delivering new resources for our local schools. I’m also thrilled that the Winchester legislative delegation was able to work together to secure funding for improvements to Winchester's parks and recreational facilities.”

“This year’s budget included more than $12M in funds to meet Winchester’s needs,” said State Senator Patricia Jehlen. “I’m grateful for the collaboration with my colleagues Senator Lewis, and Reps. Day and Ciccolo in securing these funds and proud that we have been able to sustain the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act even during uncertain economic times.”

“Our parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities enhance the quality of life for our young people and older residents alike,” said State Representative Michael S. Day. “I am pleased to have secured this investment in the House budget, and see it successfully advance through the legislative process with the support and advocacy of Senators Lewis and Jehlen and Representative Ciccolo. I look forward to joining with our residents in celebrating these improvements over the coming year.”

"This budget is a balanced, fair and thoughtful budget through which we make critical investments in the people's needs,” said State Representative Michelle Ciccolo. “On a statewide level, I know full funding for programs like universal school meals, housing assistance for families, and $500 million new dollars for transportation will make a difference in thousands of residents' lives. At the local level, the funding for improvements to Winchester's parks and increased Chapter 70 funding will ensure that our children have access to better green spaces and comprehensive school resources. I am grateful, as always, to work with Representative Day and Senators Lewis and Jehlen to help our community!"

The budget now awaits action from Governor Healey before becoming law.