Holliston Receives $$$
MA Senate FY 2016 Budget Invests in Holliston
Last week, the Massachusetts Senate passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2016, including critical investments in key areas of local aid, education, economic development and services for vulnerable and under-served populations. The Senate budget builds on the themes and investments of the Senate Ways and Means recommendations to lift all families and invest in our future.
“This final budget builds on the themes and investments of the Senate Ways and Means recommendations to lift all families and invest in our future,” said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am proud of the collaborative process and spirited, thoughtful debate this week to create a budget that reflects shared Senate values and advances individuals, families and communities across the Commonwealth.”
For Holliston, Chapter 70 education aid will increase by $64,125 over FY 2015 for a total of $7,219,350 in FY 2016. The budget also fully funds the Special Education Circuit Breaker, which reimburses school districts for the costs of educating students with special needs. Holliston will receive $1,427,574 in Unrestricted General Government Aid in FY 2016 for community investments in education, public safety, roads and bridges and health care, a $49,607 increase over FY 2015.
In addition, the budget includes $300,000 for a post-high school special education transition program at Holliston High School and $100,000 for the Holliston Senior Center.
The budget also includes $12.5M for local Councils on Aging across the state, allowing for $9.50 per senior per year for innovative programs serving the elderly in our community.