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March 29, 2006
HOUSE TO LIFT LOTTERY CAP, SEND HISTORIC LEVELS OF LOCAL AID TO CITIES & TOWNS
Boston, MA - State Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis (D-Hyannis) today announced that the upcoming House Ways & Means budget will lift the cap on Lottery aid and send the highest levels of local aid to cities and towns in the Commonwealth’s history. The proposed total spending represents $920 million, an increase of $158 million over the current fiscal year expenditure and $260 million over Fiscal Year 2005. Yarmouth will receive $1,545,499, and Barnstable will receive the most of Cape towns at $2,575,171.
“Local aid is one of the most worthwhile investments the House makes each year,” said Rep. Atsalis. “These additional dollars will make it easier for cities and towns to provide the essential local services our citizens depend on and ease property tax burdens across Massachusetts.”
The Legislature was forced to divert Lottery aid – monies traditionally directed to municipalities – to the state’s general fund at the height of the most recent recession in 2003. As a result, cities and towns made cuts to local education, public safety and transportation accounts and increased their reliance on property taxes to balance municipal budgets. The Lottery aid figures in the House Ways & Means budget will exceed pre-recessionary levels.
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REPRESENTATIVE DEMETRIUS J. ATSALIS ANNOUNCES HOUSE
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES ELDER ABUSE BILL