For Immediate Release
April 25, 2006
Please Contact: Colin Durrant (617)722-1650 or Dalié Jiménez, 617-722-1650

Mayor, Local Senators, Reps Fight Back Against State Aid Shortfall

SOMERVILLE –Mayor Joe Curtatone announced today that he has joined forces with State Senators Jarrett Barrios and Pat Jehlen, and Representatives Tim Toomey, Carl Sciortino and Denise Provost to fight a proposal that would leave Somerville – and many other cities and towns – at aid levels well below the amount provided prior to massive state aid cutbacks in 2002.  Figures recently released by the House Ways and Means Committee included a proposed FY2007 local aid budget that offers a net increase in aid for Somerville’s schools and city government of only $1.6 million, or a 3.2 percent gain over last year’s funding.  The proposed increase falls far short of the promises made by Governor Romney in January, and doesn’t provide enough additional aid to cover the city’s projected FY2007 increase in health care costs, let alone cover rising cost increases in other areas, including energy and maintenance.

Curtatone also pointed to figures in the House Ways and Means budget proposal indicating that combined education aid to Somerville would actually decrease by over $80,000 in FY2007, despite sharp rises in the cost of health care, energy and other essential line items. 

 “Both the Governor and the House Ways and Means budget planners have tried to portray the restoration of lottery aid as providing a big boost in aid to cities and towns,” said Curtatone.  “Governor Romney has talked about increases of 17 percent in local aid  – and he’s talked about raising state education aid to its highest level ever.  Well, now we’ve seen the actual numbers and it’s clear that the reality falls short of the promise, and completely fails to meet the need.”  

"We'll work together to do everything we can to increase state aid for education and other vital community services like affordable housing programs." said Senator Jarrett T. Barrios. "It's simply not a solution to pass the burden onto local taxpayers." 

"Nothing is more important to the city, delegation and me than local aid," said Senator Pat Jehlen.  "We'll continue to collaborate to ensure Somerville gets its fair share of funding."  

"I will be fighting for more money for Somerville's public schools. I'm pleased at the increase in local aid in the Ways and Means budget,” said Representative Denise Provost, “I asked for water and sewer rate relief, and we got that. But I won't be satisfied until there is more education funding."

 "Education funding is my top priority going into this budget debate. Our students deserve a quality public education, and I was shocked that the Governor and House budget analysts think their proposals are adequate with the resources to support their learning," said Representative Carl Sciortino.  "We’ve pulled together a large group of legislators and we are meeting with members of the House leadership team. We are ready to fight on the floor of the House to ensure our kids are fully supported."   

“Making sure community groups in Somerville receive the proper funding is one of my top priorities. Community groups like Concilio Hispano and The Haitian Coalition are critical to so many people in Somerville. The work they do is invaluable,” said Representative Tim Toomey,  “I am also proud to sponsor statewide amendments like Family Planning and Community Mediation Programs that not only affect my district, but have an impact throughout the state.” 

The combined totals for school and municipal aid in both the Romney proposal and the House Ways and Means budget would leave the city $6 million short of its total aid levels in FY2002.   “From FY2006 to FY2007, the net increase in combined aid to Somerville under these plans would be $1.6 million, or 3.2 percent,” Curtatone said. “Compare that to the $2.8 million in higher health care costs we’ll have to cover next year – and you’ll understand why these proposals don’t measure up to reality.” 

“Of course cites and towns are happy that the state has finally agreed to give us back the lottery money that was always rightfully ours, but restoring those funds won’t mean a thing if the state makes cuts in school aid and raises assessments for MBTA costs, charter schools and other items for which the state bills cities and towns,” said Curtatone.  “I know that this isn’t what our local state reps and senators wanted to see in this year’s aid budget for Somerville, and that they’ll be working closely with me – and with other elected officials across the state – to get us back to the aid levels our citizens need and deserve.”