How Does Wayland's Proposed State Aid Stack Up
Here's a look at Wayland's cuts compare to other Metrowest towns.
Gov. Deval Patrick released his $30.5 billion budget proposal Wednesday, which featured a 1.8 percent reduction in spending from last year and millions of dollars cut from state jobs and programs.
What, specifically, does that mean for Wayland?
In Wayland, the deepest cuts are to the Charter Tuition Reimbursement (cut by $83,645) and unrestricted government aid (cut by $55,282). In all, more than $121,000 has been cut by the state from the local budget compared to fiscal year 2011.
The governor's press release yesterday emphasized his commitment to four specific areas: job growth, education, public safety and affordable health care.
“This budget makes investments in critical areas that will help strengthen our economy in the near-term, position us for a strong recovery in the long-term, and continue to improve the way government does business,” Patrick said. “More jobs. Stronger schools for all our children. Affordable health care. Safer neighborhoods. That’s the work of our second term, and it starts with filing this budget. Through optimism and effort, and support for these proposals, I am confident that our best days lie ahead.”
The investment in those four priorities, however, doesn't come without a price: A $65 million reduction in local aid to cities and towns. The proposed budget for FY2012 reduces spending by $570 million from fiscal 2011. Patrick's statement yesterday said this is the "largest year-on-year reduction in 20 years."
Though Wayland stands to receive an additional $16,793 in Chapter 70 (education) state aid money and more than $3,600 in veteran's benefits, Wayland is on tap to lose $55,282 in unrestricted general government aid, which more than offsets those gains.
In all, Wayland is facing a loss in state funding of $121,298.
The charts below show how fiscal year 2012 local aid estimates in the governor's budget compare to fiscal 2011 cherry sheet numbers and compare Wayland's numbers to nearby towns.
Fiscal year 2012 local aid estimates for Wayland
| Line Item |
FY 2011 Cherry Sheet Estimate |
FY 2012 Governor’s Budget | Difference |
| Education: |
|||
| Chapter 70 | $3,128,075 |
$3,144,868 | $16,793 |
| Charter Tuition Reimbursement | $94,799 |
$11,154 | -$83,645 |
| Lunch reimbursement |
$10,524 | $12,040 | $1,516 |
| General Government: |
|||
| Unrestricted Government Aid | $764,572 | $709,290 | -$55,282 |
| Police Career Incentive |
$8,888 | $9,795 | $907 |
| Veteran's Benefits | $5,801 | $9,402 | $3,601 |
| State-Owned Lands | $51,171 | $50,984 | -$187 |
| Exemptions: Vets, Blind, Surviving Spouses, Elderly | $38,792 | $34,412 | -$4,380 |
| Public Libraries | $13,603 | $12,982 | -$621 |
| Total | $4,116,225 | $3,994,927 | -$121,298 |
How Wayland Stacks Up:
| Community | Proposed Chapter 70 Funding | Unrestricted General Government Aid |
| Framingham | $22,024,861 | $7,806,597 |
| Lincoln | $718,511 | $534,185 |
| Natick | $7,062,013 | $2,900,066 |
| Sudbury | $4,206,945 | $1,098,406 |
| Wayland | $3,144,868 | $709,290 |
| Wellesley | $7,202,028 | $1,016,492 |
| Weston | $2,419,859 | $293,515 |
Source for both charts: Massachusetts Department of Revenue
