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December 2001 The long overdue FY 2002 budget was finally passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor on Thanksgiving Eve, thus ending the longest period in 40 years that the state was formally without an approved annual operating budget. A number of factors contributed to this long delay: stubborn legislative leaders refused to act decisively; recession-like declines in revenues during summer months exploded into steeper drops after September 11; and political apprehensions between potential gubernatorial candidates, Senate President Thomas Birmingham and Acting Governor Jane Swift, disallowed candor. In the end, a most undemocratic process resulted in the fiscal budget being presented by four budget leaders to the House and Senate 24 hours before Thanksgiving, allowing the members of the General Court only a vote to approve or disapprove, without any additional adjustments, amendments or debate. The FY 2002 budget is $22.6 billion and resolved a 7.5% gap (or $1.350 billion) between the increase in expenditures assumed in the spring and the 3% decline in tax revenues since July. The budget, thus, cuts spending by $650 million and uses $700 million in reserves to produce a balanced budget. The budget sustains our financial commitment to public school
education, increasing by over $200 million, while meeting obligations to
the expensive new prescription drug program for seniors, all the while
obliged to meet unavoidable cost increases in pensions, employee health
insurance, debt service, school building assistance, Medicaid, and additional
assistance to cities and towns. The reductions in spending fell on
higher education and adult education programs, mental health and retardation
programs, state revenue sharing for local municipalities’ road building
projects, and other important governmental services. The $213 million
increase in local public school assistance results in Marshfield schools
receiving $305,000 and Scituate receiving $255,000 over last year.
The drop in road assistance, however, results in Marshfield losing $133,500
and Scituate losing $191,000.
Even as the ink was drying on this blueprint, however, a new financial analysis by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation affirms that the Commonwealth can expect significant financial shortfalls for the next several years. This analysis states: “ even assuming a gradual economic recovery beginning in 2002, the state will face budget deficits totaling $6.3 billion unless spending cuts and other steps are taken… While large spending reductions are the critical first step…..the state may need to take other measures to address the long term problem, including short limits on further spending growth, using a larger share of the annual tobacco payments, increasing the cigarette tax to meet existing health care needs, and delaying or slowing the pace of the income tax cut (Question 4). Local Program Saved: Despite the reductions in spending occasioned by the rapid decline in the economy, the state was able to keep its commitment to Marshfield’s Talking Information Center. This state-wide program which offers radio reading services to 20,000 blind listeners is headquartered in Marshfield. Its programming is provided almost entirely by volunteers. It networks with several other similar local programs across the state and is financed by private contributions and a state grant of $500,000. Rte 3A Breakdown Lane: Usage of the Route 3 breakdown lane between Marshfield and Hanover during commuting hours is scheduled to begin in late spring 2002, after several turnouts have been constructed to accommodate disabled vehicles. Braintree Bus: The continuation of the 20 year old bus route between the Braintree MBTA station and Marshfield High School remains uncertain. Although the MBTA has signed a contract to sustain this service until New Year’s, with the option of an additional 6 months after this, it is clear that unless more passengers use this service, the MBTA will abandon it. This is the best public transit opportunity on the South Shore. Two trips in the morning leave Marshfield Furnace Brook School at 6:10 AM and 7:10 AM . In the afternoon buses leave the Braintree T station at 5:20 PM and 6:25 PM. The bus is a $1 each way and T service from Braintree to Boston is $2 each way. Try it; you’ll find the service inexpensive and convenient.
Ronald Reagan
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