Thread by @SenJasonLewis

Today, the Mass. House and @MA_Senate announced with @MassGovernor that municipalities & school districts will NOT face a budget cut for unrestricted local aid or Chapter 70 school funding in Fiscal Year 2021. #mapoli

Due to the severe economic recession brought about by the pandemic, most cities and towns have been bracing for state budget cuts so this should be very welcome news. #mapoli

Unrestricted local aid will be funded at a level no less than last fiscal year. Chapter 70 will be funded at a level no less than last fiscal year for each school district (plus the impact of inflation and any enrollment changes on foundation budgets). #mapoli

This commitment gives our towns/cities more budget certainty & it is the minimum they can expect. If enough federal relief is made available to states and/or the economy improves faster than expected, we'll work to increase local aid/Ch. 70 when we debate the FY21 budget. #mapoli

Towns, cities & school districts have also received almost $1B in federal and state assistance to address costs related to the pandemic response.

Of course, I’m disappointed that this level of Ch. 70 funding does not begin to implement the 2019 #StudentOpportunityAct. #mapoli

However, we remain fully committed to the #StudentOpportunityAct and the goal of ensuring adequate & equitable funding for all students & districts, particularly our most disadvantaged. #mapoli

If the state has sufficient resources when we debate the FY21 budget this fall, my top priority will be to begin implementing the #StudentOpportunityAct and increase Chapter 70 funding. #mapoli