Framingham To Receive $80 Million In State Budget

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Framingham will receive more than $68.8 million in Chapter 70 funding for its public schools and more than $11.5 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.

Framingham's share includes $68,853,477 in Chapter 70 aid for the public schools and $11,524,808 in unrestricted general government aid.

School funding jumped 20.7% from the $57,034,315 allocated in the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30. Local aid rose 5.4%, up from $10,934,353.

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.

Some good news for Framingham includes money being set aside for projects ranging from bicycle and pedestrian improvements to the creation of a technology center for the city's library.

Money was earmarked for the following Framingham initiatives:

• $5,000,000 for capital projects relating to the Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University
• $36,087,625 for Framingham State University through an allocation for state universities

• $25,000 for Framingham Fostering Opioid Recovery Compassion and Education, known as Framingham FORCE.
• $150,000 for costs associated with the creation of a technology and learning center in the Framingham Public Library
• $75,000 shall be expended for the design and construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements for school routes in the city of Framingham
• $35,000 for the Framingham Police Department for the conversion to hybrid vehicles

Money also has been set aside for Framingham as part of initiatives that include multiple communities, including:

• $500,000 for the MetroWest region communities of Framingham, Ashland, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick to address mental health needs in schools
• $200,000 for the operation of the Eureka program at the Framingham, Holyoke, Lynn, Pittsfield and Worcester chapters of Girls Inc., a nonprofit that works toward empowering girls to navigate gender, social and economic barriers through advocacy

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