Note: The Governor has 9 days to sign this budget or send it back to the legislature. He may also exercise his line item veto power. (See related article here.)

from the Office of Senator Brian A. Joyce

Senator Brian A. Joyce joined his colleagues in the state House of Representatives and Senate in passing the conference committee report for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 budget. The budget closes a $1.2 billion budget gap and provides increased aid to students and municipalities. For Milton, the FY 14 budget will provide $2,782,004, which goes directly to municipalities for infrastructure improvement and repair, public safety and economic development. The budget also boosts funding to Milton schools to $5,869,609.

“Investing in both our communities and children is the best way to continue our state’s economic recovery and foster new growth and job creation,” said Joyce. “Excellent schools, solid public safety, and reliable infrastructure remain important considerations to new businesses looking for a home and help established businesses find the workforce they need to grow.”
The balanced budget fully funds the Special Education Circuit Breaker and full day kindergarten, eliminates the waitlist for home care services for the elderly, increases access to childcare, boosts support to economic development and employment programs, and continues to increase transparency and accountability in state government for taxpayers.
Milton also received $750,000 in funding for the Trailside Museum, one of the few facilities in the Metropolitan Boston area where families can access a wide range of affordable environmental, cultural and educational programs.
Additionally, the town of Milton will receive increased payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) next year as a result of a measure co-sponsored by Senator Joyce. Milton has previously received $3,915,813 in PILOT payments as a result of legislation authored by Joyce that requires state payments to the town for the loss of potential tax revenue from Blue Hills Reservation land in Milton.
Today, the Senate also adopted the conference committee report for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 supplemental budget. This bill included $300,000 for the Town of Milton that Senator Joyce sponsored as partial reimbursement for the extraordinary health care costs related to fully supporting injured Milton firefighter Antonio Pickens. These funds will partially offset that cost and allow such funds to be used in other important areas, including schools and public safety.
The FY 13 supplemental budget restores 9c funding cuts made last year. This bill provides funding to critical programs, including reimbursements for districts with high-needs special education students, reimbursements to local school districts for transporting homeless students to and from school, and mental health programs.