March 4, 2015

With the great majority of cities and towns facing extraordinary snow removal budget shortfalls this year, Gov. Charlie Baker has proposed that municipalities be allowed to amortize any fiscal 2015 shortfall over two years, fiscal 2016 and 2017.

The one-time extension of the one-year deficit carry-forward rule was included in a $392 million supplemental budget bill the governor filed on Feb. 27 that is now before the House Ways and Means Committee.

The spending bill (H. 60) includes $50 million for state snow removal costs and additional funding for several major state budget accounts that were part of the $1 billion fiscal 2015 budget deficit identified by the governor after taking office in January.

H. 60 includes $190 million to close a deficit in the state’s $1.4 billion Group Insurance Commission account, $44 million for a state program that provides shelter for homeless families, and $45 million for the Department of Children and Families. There is also a $7 million emergency reserve for state agencies.

The bill includes language that would extend the deadline for quarterly fiscal 2015 property tax payments and abatement applications due by Feb. 2 to March 13 to account for storm-related delays. The bill would make permanent changes to property tax law to allow a one-day delay when municipal offices are closed due to a weather-related or public safety emergency. The MMA is reviewing this language.
 

Perhaps not the best of ideas but at least there is an option for any community that is in real financial crisis or trouble.

Jeff Bennett