State Rep Dan Webster announced that he, along with the entire Republican caucus, offered a Local Aid resolution during the House’s full formal session.

Webster said, “As our cities and towns continue to develop their local budgets during these very tough times, they need certainty and reliable information more than ever.   It is important that we, as legislators, provide some predictability for our districts by advising the cities and towns we represent of the amount of local aid they will be receiving before they finalize their own fiscal 2012 budgets.”

The resolution would establish a minimum level of Chapter 70 and Unrestricted Local Aid equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY’12. The minimum Chapter 70 appropriation must equal $3.99 billion for FY’12; and the minimum Unrestricted Local Aid appropriation must equal $899 million.

It would also establish a minimum level of funding for each of the following accounts to equal the amount proposed by the Governor for FY’12. Reimbursement to Cities in Lieu of Taxes - $25.3 million.  Regional School Transportation - $40.5 million. Special Education Residential Schools - $213 million

This resolution would provide among other things, flexibility during budget debate so that the Legislature might further increase local aid appropriations from an established floor.  It also provides predictability for municipalities who are already constructing their budgets. With one single objection, the resolution was referred to the House Committee on Rules without any opportunity for debate.