Braintree To Receive Nearly $26 Million In State Budget

BRAINTREE, MA - Braintree will receive more than $19.3 million in Chapter 70 funding for its public schools and more than $6.6 million in unrestricted general government aid as part of the state budget passed on Monday by the state legislature.

The state budget includes a 5.4 percent increase in aid for local governments, as well a 9 percent increase in Chapter 70 funding for public school districts over the budget for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

Braintree's share includes $19,367,068 in Chapter 70 aid for the public schools and $6,628,653 in unrestricted general government aid.

School funding increased almost 4.92% from the $18,459,141 allocated for FY 22, which ended June 30. Local funding rose 5.4% from last year's amount of $6,289,045.

The $52.7 billion package does not contain any broad-based tax hikes. Tax revenues are actually above previous estimates - leaving a surplus of around $3 billion from fiscal year 2022. The budget also includes $110 million to continue free, universal school meals for all school children in Massachusetts.

Money was earmarked for the following Braintree initiatives, which include parking and traffic improvements and allocations for mental health and substance abuse services:

• $50,000 for Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use
• $37,000 for mental health services in Braintree's public schools
• $200,000 shall for the Braintree police department’s family services unit
• $100,000 for equipment for Braintree Fire Department
• $28,500 for elder affairs programming and services
• $100,000 for parking and traffic improvements

Gov. Charlie Baker has 10 days to sign the budget into law or send it back to the legislature for amendments.