May 4, 2010

This month, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing a balanced budget for fiscal year 2011 that also contains the final $6.3 million reimbursement to cities and towns for expenses from the December 2008 ice storm. Here are some details on the budget, the upcoming utilities forum I am hosting in Lunenburg, and other issues I worked on in April.

The FY'11 budget closes a projected $3.2 billion budget gap and contains major reductions in many areas of state spending, including the total elimination of funding for several line items. Our proposal does not increase taxes and makes no withdrawals from the state's rainy day fund. During the budget debate, I worked hard to preserve funding for our core social services without increasing the tax burden on already struggling families. This budget asks everyone to make sacrifices, and forces each state agency to do more with less.

While avoiding any new taxes, we were still able to level fund some important programs, like Workforce Training grants and public libraries. I was also able to successfully advocate for and secure $6.3 million for the final portion of reimbursement to cities and towns for expenses incurred during the December 2008 ice storm.

I have long called for increased budget transparency and I am please by the budget transparency initiatives included in our bill. Our proposal creates a searchable online database, with in-depth detail on government expenditures and tax credits. This program will help make it easier for residents to see how the state spends tax revenue and to analyze the success of our tax credit programs. The budget now goes to the Senate, where it will be debated at the end of May.

On Monday, May 10th, I am hosting a "Be an Informed Utility Consumer" forum at 7pm in Lunenburg Town Hall. Assistant Attorney General, Jed Nosal, from the AG's Telecommunications Division, and John DiNapoli, Unitil's Municipal and Community Services Manager will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about customers' utility bills. I am constantly working to provide resources to residents of the district and to respond to questions or concerns. I encourage you all to attend!

Small businesses are the primary engines of economic growth in our Commonwealth. This past month, I had the pleasure of touring Bemis Associates, Inc in Shirley and discussing the challenges of running a small business with COO Scott Howard. I also attended the Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts 20th Anniversary party in Acton, the Chester Mossman Teen Center fundraiser in Lunenburg, and the swearing in of Boxborough's new police chief, Warren Ryder.

I look forward every month to hearing from all of you. You can stop by my office hours in Acton the first Monday of every month from 4:30-6 at Sweet Bites Bakery and Caf?. My office in Lunenburg is also staffed Mondays from 9-4. You can always contact my Boston office at 617.722.2130. Please also check my website for additional news and resources: www.jenbenson.org.