Mayor, house speaker unhappy about plan to cut local aid CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – In order to close a major budget gap, Governor Deval Patrick is proposing nearly $200 million in immediate spending cuts. The governor also proposes to cut local aid to cities and towns; something that does not appear to be getting much support from local municipal leaders and state lawmakers. Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos told 22News that he received an e-mail on Wednesday night saying that the governor planned to cut 10% of the local aid budget. Kos said that something similar happened about 14 years ago when the state looked to close a budget gap. He says he is not happy with the prospect of a local aid cut, and will be meeting with local legislators to discuss this. He said he would also meet with the heads of city departments in order to determine where cuts to the city budget would have to be made if aid is reduced. But the proposed local aid cuts face strong opposition in the Legislature, where House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) says he cannot back the governor’s plan. “Understanding the vital role cities and towns play in providing services and jobs, I will not support a reduction of unrestricted local aid. Local aid is integral to helping municipalities accurately assess and plan their budgets so that they can contribute to the overall health of the Commonwealth’s economy,” DeLeo said. In his statement issued Thursday morning, the speaker said that he would be discussing the state’s fiscal situation with members of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:12:59 +0000
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