SJC Ruling on Quinn Bill Won't Affect Melrose Police

The Boston Globe reported on Wednesday that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that cities and towns don't have to pay the state's share of Quinn Bill funding, the law that offers salary bonuses to police officers who obtain college degrees.

However, the ruling won't have any affect on Melrose Police officers' salaries because of the way the unions' collective bargaining agreements are written, Mayor Rob Dolan said.

The police officers' contracts with the city stipulate that Melrose will only pay its half of the Quinn Bill benefits. As the Globe reported, the state has historically reimbursed municipalities 50 percent of the cost, but those payments have been dwindling due to statewide budget cutbacks.

Dolan added that under the Melrose Police officers' current contract, no new officers hired after the contract was signed will receive Quinn Bill benefits.

Boston Police unions brought the lawsuit after the police unions agreed to concessions in their contracts, the Globe reported, in return for the city’s promise to pay its share plus whatever amount the state reimbursed the city, but then the state failed to pay its half of Quinn Bill benefits.

Read more at the Boston Globe.