Holliston Receives Support from State Budget
I am pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Legislature today enacted a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2017, investing in key areas related to local aid, education, children’s health and safety, housing, health and human services, workforce training and economic development. Despite the challenges of lower than anticipated revenue, this budget preserves key programs and services and makes modest investments to build a resilient future.
For Holliston, Chapter 70 education aid will increase by $143,770 over FY 2016 for a total of $7,363,120 in FY 2017. 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 $1,488,960 in Unrestricted General Government Aid in FY 2017 for community investments in education, public safety, roads and bridges and health care, a $61,386 increase over FY 2016.
In addition to Chapter 70 funding, this budget includes $300,000 for the Elementary Rest Stop Program in Holliston Public Schools and $50,000 for downtown safety improvements in Holliston.
The budget also includes $14.1M for local Councils on Aging across the state, allowing for $10 per senior per year for innovative programs serving the elderly in our community.
This press release highlights some of the other strategic, targeted investments and initiatives in the Conference Committee budget. As always, if you have any questions or would like additional information, please call my District Director Puja Mehta at (617) 722-1640 or puja.mehta@masenate.gov.