Region – Governor Deval Patrick released a statement Feb. 27 that outlined details via an online map, he said, that demonstrates “in real terms, what investing in growth and opportunity will mean for their communities.”
“This tool will help people see exactly what to expect in their own backyard as part of the investments we'se proposed,” Patrick said. “Meaningful investments in education and transportation today will significantly improve our economic future both in the short term and for generations to come.”
Each map outlines transportation projects in every community that would be funded under the governor's fiscal year (FY) 2014 budget proposal, as well as the additional Chapter 70 education funding and support for public colleges and universities communities can expect to receive under the governor's investment plan.
Patrick is asking taxpayers to support his proposal to raise the state's income tax by one percent to 6.25 percent and lower the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. Monies raised from the income tax increase would then be used for transportation upgrades and education.
Under the governor's proposed budget, Westborough would receive more than $1.1 million in additional Chapter 70 education funding, for a total of almost $5.6 million in Chapter 70 funding in FY14, according to the release. The Assabet Valley school district would receive $334,275 in additional Chapter 70 education funding, for a total of more than $4 million in Chapter 70 funding in FY14.
“The plan would also move the 59 children currently on the waitlist for early education programs in Westborough off of the waitlist and into high-quality early education programs,” the release stated. “In addition to these education investments, Westborough would receive more than $1.2 million in funding for transportation and infrastructure projects in FY14, increasing to more than $4.1 million over the next 10 years.”
Each of the 400 maps in total, representing both Senate and House districts, can be found at www.mass.gov/governor/choosegrowth.? There are two maps per district – one displaying transportation investments and one displaying education investments in each community.
According to the release, his budget plan includes a $1 billion annual investment in the commonwealth's transportation system “to maintain the current transportation assets we have today and launch a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the commonwealth.
“The plan also includes a $550 million investment in education, reaching $1 billion over four years, to provide universal access to high quality early education for children across the state, from birth through age five; fully fund K-12 education and allow for extended school days in high-need schools; make college more affordable and accessible for high school graduates; and allow our community colleges to expand their efforts to provide students with the knowledge and skill training needed to succeed in the workplace.”