Chelmsford Legislators Vote Yes on Proposed State Budget

Chelmsford’s legislators joined with the majority of their colleagues in approving a new $34 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2014, with the House voting 124-29 and the Senate 36-3 to approve the spending plan last week.

All four of Chelmsford’s members of the House of Representatives as well as State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington) voted for the final version of the bill which left a joint committee of both chambers of legislature on June 30.

Voting occurred largely on party lines, such as was the case with nearby State Representative Sheila Harrington (R-Groton).

The proposed budget includes a $39 million increase in funding for the University of Massachusetts system meant to prevent a tuition hike for in-state students, $25 million more for early education and salary hikes for judges, $21 million in new unrestricted aid spending for cities and towns plus $110 million more for Chapter 70 assistance for public education.

In Chelmsford, State Representatives Tom Golden and Cory Atkins voiced their opposition to threats of a proposed gas tax increase from Governor Patrick due to budget shortfalls from removed toll booths, which Golden has told Chelmsford Patch would be likely overridden by the legislature if the Governor attempted to add the proposed tax to his response to the budget.

Governor Patrick has until July 10 to respond to the bill.