Politics & Government

House Republicans Local Aid Amendment Signed Into Law

Mansfield Rep. Jay Barrows promoted amendment that will add much needed funds to the town budget.

Massachusetts House Minority Leader Brad Jones and the Republican Caucus introduced a Local Aid Reversion amendment for the fiscal year 2012 budget, and Governor Patrick just signed the bill into law.

"After many years of tough cuts to local aid, it is encouraging to see our communities regaining some ground through this revision process,” Jay Barrows (R-Mansfield) said.

This amendment to the budget will be the first time in four years that a Republican-created amendment will be included in the final state budget.

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It passes in the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously. The amendment will distribute unused funding from the fiscal year 2011 back to local municpalities and towns. It will give back half of the Commonwealth's reversions, or $65 million, if half the reversions turn out to be calculated as more than $65 million, before Oct. 31.

Historically, reversions to the General Fund have averaged about $150-$200 million per fiscal year.

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