House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North
Reading) released the following statement today regarding Governor Charlie
Baker’s proposed $40.9 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2019:
“Since taking office, the Baker-Polito Administration has
closed the $1.2 billion structural deficit it inherited and dramatically
reduced the state’s reliance on one-time revenue sources, all without raising
taxes. Governor Baker’s latest budget proposal continues to take a
fiscally responsible approach to state spending, providing funding increases
for critical programs while also promoting accountability to the state’s
taxpayers.
Local aid remains a priority of the Baker-Polito
Administration, as evidenced by the budget’s inclusion of nearly $4.9 billion
in Chapter 70 education funding and $1.1 billion in unrestricted local
aid. Cities and towns will also see a $10 million increase in special
education circuit breaker funding, while communities impacted by the recent
influx of hurricane victims will receive additional funding to help manage
these unanticipated costs. The Administration has long emphasized the
importance of maintaining strong state-municipal partnerships, and this budget
builds on that commitment.
The Governor’s budget also prioritizes higher education
and workforce training. I strongly support the Governor’s proposal to
expand scholarship funding to help make our community colleges more affordable,
and I appreciate his commitment to promoting workforce development and skills
training in critical areas such as advanced manufacturing, information
technology, and healthcare. I also applaud his continuing efforts to
address the scourge of opioid abuse by providing additional funding for
substance abuse programs and expanding the number of treatment beds across the
state.
