Conference Committee's 2014 State Budget

MMA Budget Update Conference Committee

HOUSE-SENATE CONFEREES AGREE ON $34B FY ’14 STATE BUDGET AND FY ’13 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET

APPROVAL BY LEGISLATURE EXPECTED TODAY

KEY LOCAL AID ACCOUNTS WIN INCREASES:

• Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) Increased by $21.25M Above FY ’13

• Chapter 70 Education Aid Increased by $130M Above FY ’13 Level

• All Cities, Towns & Districts Receive $25 Per Student Minimum Aid

• Budget Phases-In Target Share Aid as Proposed in Senate Ch. 70 Numbers

• Special Education Circuit Breaker Increased by $10.5M Above FY ’13 to $252.5M

• Regional School Transportation Increased by $6M Above FY ’13 to $51.5M

• Budget Includes Provision Tying Public Safety Residency to Collective Bargaining

• FY ’13 Supp. Budget Preserves Local Authority on Ambulance Fees

• FY ’13 Supp. Budget Provides $8M More for Charter School Reimbursements

• FY ’13 Supp. Budget Adds $8.3M to Reimburse Localities for U.S. Senate Election

LEGISLATURE’S BUDGET REAFFIRMS THE ABILITY OF CITIES AND TOWNS TO REGULATE LOCAL AMBULANCE FEES: The Conference Committee rejected a proposal that would have changed how cities and towns set fees for emergency medical services by giving this power to the Commissioner of Insurance instead of allowing communities to set fees locally.  Instead, Section 23 of the Conference Committee’s FY ’13 supplemental budget states that “payment to an ambulance service provider … shall be at a rate equal to the rate established by the municipality where the patient was transported from,” language that reaffirms local rate-setting authority.  The overall provision would ban the “pay-the-patient” practice for emergency ambulance service.  The MMA applauds the Conference Committee for embracing this provision.  It is important to note that the Governor has rejected similar language in previous budgets, so the matter is far from settled as the budget moves to the Governor’s Desk.  The MMA will be advocating for approval of the Conference Committee’s language.

These figures were submitted to the Governor for approval. This is not a done deal. This is for informational purposes only. Please notice how much additional money has been earmarked for education vs municipalities. Just something to keep in mind for the next STM.

Conference Committee’s Fiscal 2014 State Budget

Chapter 70 (education funding begins on page 211)

My opinions…supported by FACTS ! ! !

Julie Farrell