Here’s What Waltham Will Get In Latest State Budget

WALTHAM, MA — The state budget passed by the legislature Monday includes $11,123,974 in unrestricted funding for Waltham, as well as $18,905,768 in Chapter 70 funding for Waltham Public Schools.

The local funding is up 5.4 percent from $10,554,055 last year. School funding under the spending plan rose 20.3 percent from the $15,706,969 Waltham 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:

• $75,000 for the Waltham Partnership for Youth
• $75,000 to maintain patient safety and security at the Community Day Center of Waltham
• $70,000 for staffing at African Cultural Services
• $75,000 for the Waltham Tourism Council

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.