Here's What Newton Will Get In Latest State Budget

NEWTON, MA — The state budget passed by the legislature Monday includes $6,807,518 in unrestricted funding for Newton, as well as $26,212,526 in Chapter 70 funding for Newton Public Schools.

The local funding is up 5.4 percent from $6,458,746 last year. School funding under the spending plan rose 2.8 percent from the$25,492,106 Newton received in the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

Overall, local funding in the $52.7 billion package rose 5.4 percent to $2.07 billion from $1.96 billion last year. Chapter 70 school funding increased $495 million, or 9 percent, to nearly $600 million.The budget also includes $110 million to continue free, universal school meals for all school children in Massachusetts.

The budget also includes funding for several local projects:

• $25,000 for Welcome Home
• $50,000 for Pathway to Possible
• $65,000 for grants to independent restaurants in Newton
• $75,000 for the operation of the Newton in Motion rideshare program
• $200,000 for Friends of Coletti-Magni Park to revitalize Coletti-Magni park in Nonantum
• $20,000 for qualified seniors in the city of Newton to receive the services of Newton At Home

The budget was hammered out in a conference committee and unanimously passed both chambers. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has 10 days to sign the budget.