Lyons Fights to Preserve Local Aid

"Over the past three years the Patrick administration has slashed local aid to cities and towns by hundreds of millions of dollars," State Representative Jim Lyons said. "Our communities cannot endure another reduction, as proposed in the governor's fiscal year 2012 budget. Local aid provides critical support for the immediate services that taxpayers value: police, fire, schools, public safety and public works.”

Along with his 31 Republican House colleagues, Lyons has signed a Resolution to preserve a level of local aid at least matching the 2011 figures.

“The current Administration,” Lyons insists, “has a responsibility to prioritize its spending, so that our cities and towns are funded adequately rather than short-changed."

Within the 18^th Essex District, the House Republican Resolution is clearly superior to the governor’s proposal. For example, Governor Patrick severely underfunds North Andover, while the Republican proposal adds $125,332.00 to the administration figure. Similarly, Lyons and his House colleagues propose increasing the governor’s local aid to Andover by $109,277.00. 

In the rest of the 18^th Essex District, the Republican House increases to local aid are equally significant: Boxford - $29,729.00; Georgetown - $43,810.00; Methuen - $332,517.00; Haverhill – $601,064.00.

In total, Lyons supports boosting the Administration’s local aid to the communities in the 18^th Essex District by over $1 million.

“Keep in mind,” Lyons explains, “that these House Republican figures increase local aid levels in order to provide our cities and towns with the predictable and sustainable funding that is needed.

“We depend,” Lyons adds, “on our communities for the services that most affect our families’ daily lives. Whether educating our children, plowing through snowstorms, or responding to public safety concerns, our local government most affects our daily lives.    

“This Administration must recognize that our communities have been decimated by cuts to local aid over the last several years. Therefore,” Lyons concludes, “I urge the Governor to reset his priorities, and to protect the taxpayers of the 18^th Essex District through the implementation of the House Republican Local Aid Resolution.”

For further information, contact:

Representative Jim Lyons, State House, Room 39, Boston, MA 02133, 617 722 2014,

james.lyons@mahouse.gov

This release was provided by the office of State Rep. Jim Lyons, R-Andover.