Cuts in Massachusetts Governor's Budget Proposal Draw Attention

By Lucas Willard

Pittsfield, MA – The governor's 32.3 billion dollar state budget proposal includes new investments in education, such as with the Gateway Cities Education Initiative, and an increase in school aid to 1/3 of the state's districts.
The governor is also looking to save money by making cuts in his executive branch which includes the elimination of 400 positions. The cuts in State jobs will generate 30 million and streamline government with layoffs or the doing away with vacant positions. The Bay State Correctional Facility will be closed in Norfolk, saving about 8.9 million dollars.
Since 2008, the State has cut employment by 9 percent by eliminating 6,000 jobs.
Cuts to human services are generating a response from concerned individuals.
Mike Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Tax Payers Foundation, recognizes that the current economic climate makes it challenging to address all of the State's needs in the current budget.
One cut proposed by the Patrick Administration is 1.5 million dollars to elderly food service programs, eliminating 240,000 reduced price meals. First District Representative Gail Cariddi said that she will work to keep funding available to the Massachusetts seniors.
Plans to cut aid from teen pregnancy prevention programs are also being scrutinized. President and CEO of the Berkshire United Way Kristine Hazzard said that Western Massachusetts faces a higher teen pregnancy rate than the rest of the state, and will be working with her representatives to make sure funding remains in place.
Hazzard praised the Gateway Cities Education Initiatives, saying that early education is a "pay now or pay later" situation. She also noted that any cuts including those planned for low-income child care vouchers, need to be reconsidered.
The Senate and State House of Representatives will now be forming their own budget proposals before a plan is voted on in July.

More information here:
http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2012/2012125-administration-files-fy2013-budget.html