Issue Position: Intergovernmental Relations

Issue Position

Our towns have been hit hard over the past two years by cuts in local aid. The state has expected our towns to revise their budgets mid year, which has wreaked havoc on critical local services like fire and police protection, education, library services and public works. Our towns have fallen prey to the fly by the seat of the pants budgeting habits on Beacon Hill.

As Falmouth Town Moderator, I know first hand what happens to towns when state government cuts local aid and breaks promises like the Quinn bill funding for police education. Beacon Hill must stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of local governments. State government should be reformed and make good on its promises. Today it's the Quinn bill, what's tomorrow? Chapter 115 Veteran's benefits? We must not let that happen.

I believe cutting local aid should be off the table. We need to develop a revenue sharing formula which is fair to cities and towns and is based on a defined share of state taxes.

I see our towns having to choose when to use stabilization funds, and the state requires towns to have a 2/3 supermajority vote in order to save money and also in order to spend it. Meanwhile, the state legislature can spend the state's savings with a simple majority. I propose we require the state to also have a 2/3 super majority to spend from the Rainy Day account and that the requirement on cities and towns to put money into savings be returned to a simple majority.

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