Online Tool Details State Budget Effects

In an effort to promote his $34.8 billion budget proposal, Gov. Deval Patrick has unveiled an online tool with 400 maps that show what each legislative district would receive in education funding. 

“This tool will help people see exactly what to expect in their own backyard as part of the investments we’ve proposed,” Patrick said. “Meaningful investments in education and transportation today will significantly improve our economic future both in the short term and for generations to come.”

There are two maps per district—one displaying transportation investments and one displaying education investments in each community.    

For example, according to the maps, the Second Suffolk House District, which includes Charlestown and areas of Chelsea, would see a total of $27,900,800 in Chapter 90 funding for transportation projects and an increase of $8,318,827 in Chapter 70 educational funding.

"Governor Patrick’s budget plan includes a $1 billion annual investment in the Commonwealth’s transportation system ... [and] includes a $550 million investment in education, reaching $1 billion over four years," an administration press release said. 

The budget proposal seeks to pay for this funding by increasing the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent and eliminating up to 44 tax deductions. To ease the burden of these increases, especially on lower-income families, it proposes reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent and doubling personal exemptions.