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About MMA MMA News Plan design dominates breakfast discussions
Health care plan design, local aid, pension schedules, and other fiscal 2011 budget concerns were the main topics of discussion during the MMA’s series of Legislative Breakfast Meetings around the state this spring.
In Burlington on March 5, Rep. Charles Murphy, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said it’s no secret that the state’s finances are precarious.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” he said. “As a result, we’re going to make some very difficult choices, be it local aid or health care. That’s just the reality because we’re going to have to balance our budget.”
A week later, legislative leaders announced that cities and towns should plan on a 4 percent reduction in local aid.
The Legislative Breakfast Meetings give local officials a chance to discuss their challenges with legislators and talk about how state budget decisions affect cities and towns.
MMA staff outlined five major reforms that can help to lessen the impact of state cuts to local programs:
• Granting communities the authority to modify health insurance plans outside of collective bargaining
• Closing the telecommunications property tax loophole on equipment
• Changing charter school funding rules
• Extending pension-funding schedules
• Clarifying that cities and towns are not responsible for the state’s share of the Quinn Bill
The meetings also focused on how legislators can help local leaders find funding for important projects and how regionalization can help with shrinking resources.
The meetings were held on Feb. 26 and March 5 and 12 in Burlington, Fall River, Grafton, Lee, Montague, Palmer, Sandwich, Scituate and Westminster.
About MMA MMA News Plan design dominates breakfast discussions
Plan design dominates breakfast discussions
Health care plan design, local aid, pension schedules, and other fiscal 2011 budget concerns were the main topics of discussion during the MMA’s series of Legislative Breakfast Meetings around the state this spring.
In Burlington on March 5, Rep. Charles Murphy, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said it’s no secret that the state’s finances are precarious.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” he said. “As a result, we’re going to make some very difficult choices, be it local aid or health care. That’s just the reality because we’re going to have to balance our budget.”
A week later, legislative leaders announced that cities and towns should plan on a 4 percent reduction in local aid.
The Legislative Breakfast Meetings give local officials a chance to discuss their challenges with legislators and talk about how state budget decisions affect cities and towns.
MMA staff outlined five major reforms that can help to lessen the impact of state cuts to local programs:
• Granting communities the authority to modify health insurance plans outside of collective bargaining
• Closing the telecommunications property tax loophole on equipment
• Changing charter school funding rules
• Extending pension-funding schedules
• Clarifying that cities and towns are not responsible for the state’s share of the Quinn Bill
The meetings also focused on how legislators can help local leaders find funding for important projects and how regionalization can help with shrinking resources.
The meetings were held on Feb. 26 and March 5 and 12 in Burlington, Fall River, Grafton, Lee, Montague, Palmer, Sandwich, Scituate and Westminster.
Written by MMA Senior Legislative Analyst Tom Philbin
