FY 2008 Budget Update

On July 12, Governor Deval Patrick signed his first state budget into law.  The $26.8 billion budget covers FY 2008 which begins July 1, 2007 and concludes on June 30, 2008.  Some of the highlights include:

Local Aid
The budget includes 1.345 billion in unrestricted local aid to cities and towns across Massachusetts.  This represents and overall increase of $17.7 million or 1.3% over FY 2007 levels.  Please click here to see the specific local aid numbers for your city or town.

Chapter 70 (School Funding)
The budget includes $3.725 billion in Chapter 70 aid for K-12 education.  This represents an increase of 220 million, or 6.3 % over FY 2007 levels.  For specific information on funding for your city or town please click here.

Head Start
Funding for Head Start grants remained at $9 million throughout the conference committee process.  This represents an increase of $500,000 over FY 2007 levels.

State Employee Health Insurance
Due to the hard work of SEIU 888 state members across the Commonwealth, this was the first time in several years that both the Governor and the Legislature maintained state worker health insurance contributions at current levels through out the process.  Congratulations on this key victory!

For more information on the FY 2008 budget process please contact political director Jim Redmond at (617) 241-3343.