From the Office of State Representative Aaron Michlewitz:
House Passes Balanced FY ’12 Budget
Vital local programs preserved; Includes $100 million savings through municipal employee health care reform
State Representative Aaron Michlewitz joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing a balanced FY ’12 budget aimed at increasing government efficiency, cutting costs and preserving essential services across the Commonwealth. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support, closes a projected $1.9 billion budget gap through cuts to state spending totaling $1.2 billion.
Without federal resources available to assist in closing the budget gap, the $30.52 billion budget contains major reductions in many areas of state spending, including the total elimination of funding for several line items.
However, crucial programs that are essential to the Third Suffolk District were either saved or funding was recuperated from initial cuts that were proposed. Programs like the Jewish Vocational Services Jobs training program, Adult Day Health services, AIDS Treatment funding, and summer jobs for at-risk youths.
“These programs touch a wide variety of groups in my district and will improve the quality of life for scores of people.” Said Representative Michlewitz. “From senior citizens to people trying to get the skills they need to get a job, this budget seeks to safeguard the most vulnerable needs.”
The House budget also includes a cost-saving municipal employee health care reform measure which would save at least $100 million annually for cities and towns, according to a number of recent studies. Under the proposal, municipal workers would pay no more in co-payments and deductibles than those paid by subscribers to the largest plan offered by the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) which provides health insurance to state workers and legislators.
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