Saturday, March 2, 2013
The governor is optimistic but state legislators don't sound so sure. What do you think?
Gov. Deval Patrick is still bullish about his budget proposal, which will raise $1.9 billion in new revenue through an increase in the income tax, decrease in the sales tax, and various other changes to taxes, fees and deductions. But the men and women who have to pass the bill don't sound as eager to support a package many see as a politically damaging measure. The Boston Herald quotes several Beacon Hill legislators who sounded notes of caution and outright opposition to the budget. Those quoted cited the 1990 election losses in the wake of an income tax increase, pressure on small businesses and the higher price of gas as reasons they were skeptical. And the governor's new Web tools touting proposed transportation and education …
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Massachusetts is chock full of defense contractors, federal employees and federal program beneficiaries. Are you worried the U.S. budget sequester will hurt your family's finances?
The U.S. government has a week before its self-imposed sequestration deadline. If enacted, the across-the-board cuts to the federal budget could mean layoffs, decreased aid and lower government spending. That could mean trouble for some popular government programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. Defense contractors are also preparing for lost and reduced contracts with the government. Locally, it could also doom smaller programs that have a big impact. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families in need pay for home heating oil and other energy costs. Massachusetts stands to lose over $11 million in assistance under this one program alone. Representatives Ed Markey and Jim McGovern are trying to shield …
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The committee Monday night also gave an OK for $250,000 to be added back into the fiscal 2012 budget.
Facing the pressure of a growing student population and a tight budget, the Newton School Committee Monday night approved new buffer zones that will work to give Countryside Elementary School some flexibility with its growing enrollment. In an 8-0 vote (Mayor Setti Warren was absent), the committee gave the OK for buffer zones that will send students to either Bowen or Angier Elementary. Those students and families new to the Countryside School who fall within the buffer zones will be assigned to either Angier or Bowen instead, shifting some of the population burden. The committee also approved $32,000 in additional staffing to help with the population at Countryside, the district's largest elementary school. The new staffing includes an …
42.31323
-71.20196
Countryside Elementary School
191 Dedham St, Newton Highlands, MA
/articles/new-buffer-zones-look-to-lift-some-pressure-off-countryside-population
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42.325886
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Angier Elementary School
1697 Beacon St, Waban, MA
/articles/new-buffer-zones-look-to-lift-some-pressure-off-countryside-population
1704626
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42.32189
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Bowen Elementary School
280 Cypress St, Newton Center, MA
/articles/new-buffer-zones-look-to-lift-some-pressure-off-countryside-population
765933
/locations/4659443
42.329543
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Zervas Elementary School
30 Beethoven Ave, Waban, MA
/articles/new-buffer-zones-look-to-lift-some-pressure-off-countryside-population
1467614
/locations/4659444
42.35925
-71.19393
Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School
191 Pearl St, Newton, MA
/articles/new-buffer-zones-look-to-lift-some-pressure-off-countryside-population
765806
/locations/4659445
42.34037
-71.17921
Ward Elementary School
10 Dolphin Rd, Newton Center, MA
/articles/new-buffer-zones-look-to-lift-some-pressure-off-countryside-population
765800
/locations/4659446
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
South Principal Joel Stembridge and North Principal Jen Price presented their projected cuts to School Committee Monday night.
Facing their portion of the $4.4 million gap in the School Department's proposed fiscal 2012 budget, Newton North Principal Jen Price and Newton South Principal Joel Stembridge looked to reductions in nearly all departments of their schools, eliminating positions and courses in both core subjects and electives. Between the two schools the equivalent of 9.8 full-time teachers had to be eliminated, with South cutting 6.9 positions and North cutting 2.9. Some of the heavier-hit departments included world language, business, math and science, where students will either face less course options or larger class sizes. "Although what we have to share tonight is difficult, we think it’s proportional," Stembridge said. "It’s in line with …
42.345624
-71.206003
Newton North High School
457 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/high-school-budget-reduces-course-offerings-increases-class-size
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/locations/3845214
42.314678
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Newton South High School
140 Brandeis Rd, Newton Center, MA
/articles/high-school-budget-reduces-course-offerings-increases-class-size
765802
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
Faced with a $4.4 million budget gap, the School Committee addressed potential cuts to regular instruction last night.
As the School Department attempts to close a $4.4 million fiscal 2012 budget gap, it appears as though arts, library and foreign language programs will be on the chopping block for next school year. At last night’s special School Committee budget meeting, the School Department presented details on the funding for regular instruction at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Committee members had a chance to hone in on some budget specifics as well as pose questions and alternatives. “We need to be as open and honest as possible,” said School Committee Chair Claire Sokoloff. Elementary School Reductions A lot of concern arose around cuts to music, art, theatre and library courses, specifically the shortening of elementary school art…
42.35624
-71.20933
Newton Public Schools - Education Center
100 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/arts-libraries-on-chopping-block-for-newton-schools
1733439
/locations/3714022
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The School Department could face up to a $5 million budget gap in fiscal 2012.
School Committee last night decided to further delay a vote that could expand facilities at some of the district's growing schools, including F.A. Day Middle School. "We're in the middle of a very robust conversation about short term facilities," said Committee Chairwoman Claire Sokoloff. At an Oct. 25 meeting, Sokoloff announced that the committee would push out the vote in order to make the best and most informed decision for the district and its students. Sokoloff noted last night that the committee has received extensive information from the School Department on the effects of enrollment and various construction options on the schools. The group will have to weigh and balance all the factors that have been presented, Sokoloff said…
42.35624
-71.20933
Newton Public Schools - Education Center
100 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/school-committee-delays-vote-again-discusses-bleak-financial-forecast
1733439
/locations/2397163
42.3577
-71.21225
F.A. Day Middle School
21 Minot Pl, Newtonville, MA
/articles/school-committee-delays-vote-again-discusses-bleak-financial-forecast
1508816
/locations/2397164
Monday, October 18, 2010
$8 million shortfall projected for fiscal '12 unless "sustainable" budget is established in next 6 months
The Board of Aldermen Monday night heard a sobering report from Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux, who reported a potential $8 million deficit in fiscal 2012 if current budget plans do not change. "We cannot continue on the path that we are on," Lemieux said. "We have to come up with a viable, sustainable, balanced budget." With the input from community members, city officials will have the next six months to work out solutions for the shortfall. The presentation was part of a five-year plan, Lemieux pointed out, not an official presentation for the fiscal 2012 budget. The $8 million shortfall is sill in the forecast even with the use of $4.8 million stabilization funds and $1.5 million in free cash. If the trend continues, the city…
42.338375
-71.207786
Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA
/articles/aldermen-hear-tough-budget-forecast
765424
/locations/2224183
Natalie
11:42 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Most of us spend so much time coming up with reasons of overspending, 2% salary increase, Cadillac, etc. I bet these are only the tip of iceberg made public, the rest is deep of water level our eye can see. The generation of patriots is gone... we are left with a bunch of self-interest politicians to choose from. They are our gift to our children's future. p.s. I can't believe Obama is not taxing… more ›