Governor Cuts Funding for New Law Offsetting Hanscom Education Costs

By Meredith McCulloch

Governor Deval Patrick has withdrawn funding for a bill that would provide reimbursement to towns for the education of students of military families who live on a base.  The appropriation would offset costs of education for students from Bedford and Bourne, the only two towns that qualify. If funding is supported, the legislation would bring approximately $517,000 a year to Bedford. The loss of those funds would not impact Bedford’s budget until FY16.

Senator Michael Barrett, (D-Lexington) and Representative Ken Gordon, (D-Bedford,) had advocated vigorously for the law, which was passed in July 2014 and signed by the governor.  It makes permanent ”impact aid” to offset education costs borne by the towns of Bedford (Hanscom Field students) and Bourne  (Otis Air Force Base students). Funds had previously been appropriated most years on a year-to-year basis at varying levels. The difficulty for the towns is that they are responsible for educating students from military families, but receive no taxes from the facilities.

When contacted by The Bedford Citizen, Senator Barrett said, “For years the town has stepped up.” “I’m very disappointed, but I’m still hoping the governor will help fix this.”

Representative Gordon also commented,  “We are doing everything we can to reinstate the funding. We have been in contact with the governor as has Senator Barrett and we are working toward a resolution.”

Superintendent of Schools Jon Sills has also contacted the governor urging his reconsideration. Click to read Superintendent Sills’s Letter to Governor Patrick

The change was made under MGLA Chapter 29, Section 9C which provides that when the Secretary of Administration and Finance determines that revenues will be ”insufficient to meet all of the expenditures authorized,” the governor may use provisions in MGLA Chapter 29, Section 9C to reduce allotments. The General Laws require that state budgets be balanced. The governor’s decision cannot be overturned by the legislature.

Other state funding is also in jeopardy. The Boston Globe recently reported, “Outgoing Governor Deval Patrick proposed $329 million in midyear budget cuts, including a $25.5 million trim in general aid to cities and towns, to close a looming budget shortfall.” (https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/11/24/charlie-baker-selects-budget-chief/JUAjDPwV1zMEgKVQbkkfzI/story.html)

Additional  information

The law authorizing the appropriation: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter173

Previous Citizen article: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2014/07/23/gordon-and-barrett-win-permanent-hanscom-education-funding/