Politics & Government

State Budget Provides Framingham with $8.6 Million in Local Aid

State Rep. Chris Walsh: "Framingham State University's funding saw an increase in its budget from $21,466,256 to $24,964,332; making it likely students will not see a tuition hike in the fall."

Framingham State Rep. Chris Walsh joined his colleagues in voting to pass a $34 billion Massachusetts budget this week.

The budget highlighted continued investment in Framingham’s Chapter 70 school monies, special education reimbursement funds, steady increase in local government aid and more funding to higher education. 

"Through the hard work and advocacy of the MetroWest delegation, school funding has been slowly approaching parity with the rest of the system," said Walsh. "Framingham, chronically underfunded for decades, will be receiving funding to reverse the damage of that inequity. I have great faith in the quality of our teachers and school system that, given a reasonable funding formula, Framingham will once again be a leader in education for the Commonwealth and the country.” 

This budget continues an emphasis on education and recognizes the demand for resources that stretch across the 351 communities of the Commonwealth.  The total budget includes $4.31 billion for Chapter 70 education funding with Framingham’s share increased from last year’s $28 million to $31 million for 2014. The budget also commits $51.5 million to regional school transportation and increases the SPED reimbursement percentage.

The appropriation for local aid Framingham will be receiving is $8.6 million, a $200,000 increase from FY2013 allowing the Town of Framingham to continue on its path to financial stability and excellent public services while the fiscal crisis continues to subside, said Walsh.
 
The budget reflects the priorities of the Commonwealth and the critical needs of cities, towns and residents, while maintaining the highest level of fiscal responsibility and accountability, said Walsh.
 The state’s stabilization fund is now at $1.46 billion as Massachusetts is one of only 4 states (and the only non-oil producing state) to have a rainy day fund over 1 billion dollars, continued Walsh.

On account of the state’s fiscal discipline it has been granted the best bond rating possible and therefore pays substantially less in borrowing costs, saving the taxpayers millions in interest while maintaining critical infrastructure, said Walsh.  

As a result of being a high priority for the state’s continued economic growth; the state legislature continued to aggressively fund higher education.

Framingham State University’s funding saw an increase in its budget from $21,466,256 to $24,964,332; making it likely students will not see a tuition hike in the fall, said Walsh.


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