Tewksbury’s State House delegation at the School Committee meeting – Rep Paul Adams (R-Andover), Senator Barry Finegold (D-Andover), Rep Jim Miceli (D-Wilmington)

While attending the Tewksbury School Committee meeting last night, the state house delegation led by State Senator Barry Finegold put the brakes on the notion of Tewksbury getting an increase in Chapter 70 money. It appeared from Governor Patrick’s budget presentation that Tewkbury schools might benefit from savings elsewhere. As Rick Smith reports on the Tewksbury Patch this morning:

“The governor was incredibly optimistic,” said newly elected State Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover. “I fully expect cuts to restricted local aid and unrestricted local aid…”

The governor hopes to cut Medicaid and avoid reductions in state aid,” Finegold said. “But I don’t expect that to have any benefit this year. Maybe in year two or three, but not this year.” Cities and towns depending on state funding to offset shortfalls in local revenues will be forced to make tough budget decisions this year, Finegold said.

“I don’t see how you’re going to see any increases in local aid,” Finegold said. “It’s inevitable that towns will probably have to do layoffs. This is as tough as it gets.”

Long-time State Representive Jim Miceli and newly-elected Rep Paul Adams both agreed with Finegold’s assesment.

Read the full article here on the TewksburyPatch.