Here’s What Reading Will Get In The 2023 State Budget

READING, MA - The state’s $52.7 billion 2023 fiscal year budget will include a boost in local education spending as well as multiple earmarks for the town of Reading, among other things, according to budget documents.

Approved by the state legislature, the budget earned the signature of Gov. Charlie Baker last Thursday.

The majority of local aid comes as state education funding, largely split between Chapter 70 dollars and charter school reimbursements. Reading will see a roughly $200,000 increase over last year’s allocation, according to budget documents, with funding rising from roughly $11 million to just under $11.2 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

General government aid totals $4 million, up from roughly $3.9 million last year.

The budget also includes three earmarks for Reading:

• $25,000 for rock wall repairs at Reading’s Memorial Park.
• $25,000 for the Reading Memorial High School robotics team.
• $50,000 toward purchasing a fire truck and related equipment for the Reading Fire Department.

Baker signed the majority of the budget into law. In doing so he vetoed roughly $475,000 in spending using line item veto authority.

As the state budget process winds down, communities may soon see additional funding through a state transportation bond bill.

Legislators approved that bill over the weekend and sent it to Baker. The bond bill was awaiting Baker’s signature as of Tuesday.