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 …
Friday, April 8, 2011
A district-wide initiative to improve student data management also kicks into gear.
After the recent announcement of the selection of Anne Wilson as the new Sudbury Public School (SPS) District superintendent for next year, it was back to regular business for the SPS Committee at a meeting on Tuesday at the Fairbank Community Center. Front and center at the meeting were the committee’s ongoing efforts to align budget projections for FY12 with an ever-changing financial landscape in the run-up to Town Meeting in May. “Things change even as we start to read the tea leaves,” said current Superintendent John Brackett, who went on to present the latest version of the non-override budget for FY12. While factors such as the expected level of state funding remain in flux, the updated budget identifies ways to close a $370,000 …
42.39398
-71.44254
Atkinson Pool/Fairbank Community Center
40 Fairbank Rd, Sudbury, MA
/articles/balanced-fy12-budget-for-sudbury-public-schools-may-be-within-reach
155152
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Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sudbury Public Schools Committee debated different strategies to meet reductions in state aid and keep level services.
The Sudbury School Committee met Wednesday night to discuss problems with the fiscal year 2012 budget. According to Superintendent John Brackett, there is a distinct possibility that Sudbury Public Schools will have a decrease of five percent in state funding, resulting in a loss of approximately $200,000. Brackett said that this would most likely result in the loss of four full-time equivalent teaching positions. The committee also agreed that there are also “critical needs” that must be addressed in the budget. This means reallocation of funding to increase the administration staff of the Sudbury Public Schools system. He and the members of the committee agreed that new positions are needed in administration. These positions include a …
42.39398
-71.44254
Atkinson Pool/Fairbank Community Center
40 Fairbank Rd, Sudbury, MA
/articles/superintendent-state-funding-decrease-may-cost-four-teaching-positions
155152
/locations/3434364
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Committee votes to increase budget, student fees.
If there was one good thing that came out of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Committee meeting Tuesday night, it was the athletic program will offer the same amount of sports as this year. Thanks to the Committee's vote to add $73,000 to its budget, which was at $25.5 million to help cover rising costs in health insurance, none of the teams at the high school will be cut. "I have mixed feelings about it," said Athletic Director Nancy O'Neil. "I'm grateful we haven't lost any teams. The full menu of team offerings we'll still have next year. That's a great thing." To help with the rising costs, the Committee also agreed to raise athletic fees, O'Neil said. Hockey will face the steepest rise from $300 to $500, while all other sports…
42.39652
-71.398515
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
390 Lincoln Rd, Sudbury, MA
/articles/lincoln-sudbury-avoids-losing-athletic-programs
155120
/locations/3340594
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 ›