House and Senate Votes Reaffirm Commitment to Investing in Local Aid and Transportation Legislature Overrides Gubernatorial Vetoes (BOSTON) – This week State Representative Gailanne M. Cariddi joined her colleagues in the Legislature to unanimously pass legislation that provides essential local aid to cities and towns. The unanimous votes override the Administration’s veto of $177 million in unrestricted general government aid (UGGA). The funds, originally included in the Legislature’s FY14 budget, mark the first increase in UGGA since FY10. The legislation provides $920.23 in UGGA, a $21.25 million increase from FY13. “The House has taken decisive action to support the residents of Massachusetts by providing robust local aid and making responsible investments in our state’s infrastructure,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “By overriding the veto of local aid, we are ensuring that municipalities can protect key services and make crucial investments to advance the Commonwealth’s economic growth.” “I am very proud of the work done by the Legislature to produce a final transportation finance bill and a strong budget that makes key investments in our core industries,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “By restoring the local aid funding in this year’s budget, we are providing our cities and towns with the necessary resources to grow their local economies.” "This vote ends the uncertainty over local aid levels that was triggered when the governor issued his local aid veto. The governor’s veto on July 12 would have slashed aid to every city and town by 19 percent. A situation that alarmed local officials in the First Berkshire District." said Representative Cariddi. "My colleagues in both the House and the Senate worked hard to deliver a strong budget for our local cities and towns." The House and Senate also cleared the two-thirds majority to enact a transportation finance plan that guarantees $805 million in new resources for the transportation system by Fiscal Year 2018 and includes all tax provisions assumed in both the House and Senate Fiscal Year 2014 budgets, generating $500 million in new tax revenue. Both the local aid and transportation legislation are now passed into law. ###
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:18:27 +0000
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