Mayor Announces $1.8 Billion Capital Plan
The mayor last week announced a plan to invest $ 1.8 billion over the next five years in capital projects across the city, including $ 1.6 million for a new park near Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard. At a press conference held Friday, May 17 outside the recently opened hospital, Mayor Thomas Menino discussed some of the 341 projects included in the city’s five-year capital plan for fiscal years 2014-2018—projects that will improve and maintain the city’s roads, buildings, technology and play spaces. The five-year capital plan will “create 460 construction jobs in FY2014” and will “transform city neighborhoods, learning, recreation and streets,” according to a press release from the mayor’s office. “Our city draws its strength from its neighborhoods, and this year’s capital plan will make our neighborhoods better for all of the families that live in our city,” Menino said. “The park here at Spaulding reflects my commitment to build a city that works for all of our people, not just some of our people.” The new Charlestown park will accommodate children and adults of all abilities. The plan includes $ 196 million in new project authorizations in 2014, including $ 100 million for city parks. Some of the projects highlighted in the five-year plan include: • A $ 6.5 million overhaul of the playing fields at West Roxbury High School Complex; • The reopening of Flaherty Pool in Roslindale this summer ($ 5.6 million) and soon-to-begin construction on Draper Pool in West Roxbury ($ 3.75 million); • A $ 15 million investment over three years to support Boston Public Schools’ new student assignment plan; • ($ 20.5 million for the construction of a new school at 585 Commercial St. in the North End to serve downtown area families and children, starting in the fall of 2016; • A $ 18.6 million expansion of the Eliot School in the North End; • $ 16 million for design and initial construction on a transformed Central Library in Copley Square, with new children’s and teen spaces and opening up of the Johnson Building to the street by replacing granite with glass; • Repairs to nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of sidewalk across the city, improvements to more than 1,500 pedestrian ramps to bring them up to ADA compliance and resurfacing of more than 20 miles of roadway; • Improvements to Upham’s Corner ($ 4.2 million) and Central Square ($ 6 million), with construction to begin in FY2014; • And $ 1 million for Boston’s first-ever “youth budget,” created by and for the city’s youth. The mayor’s full five-year capital plan and other budget documents can be viewed online […]
Senate Releases $34 Billion Budget Proposal
The Massachusetts State Senate Ways & Means Committee released a budget proposal Wednesday just shy of $ 34 billion for fiscal year 2014 that falls short of several of Gov. Deval Patrick’s budget recommendations. According to the Boston Globe, the Senate $ 33.92 billion budget would increase spending by 4.4 percent as opposed to Patrick’s budget that hikes spending by 6.9 percent. The Senate budget is roughly in line in terms of spending with the proposed $ 33.8 billion House budget proposed last month. The Globe reported that the Senate budget increases spending for elderly services and special education but does not reach Patrick’s recommendations for expanding transportation and providing universal childcare access. Committee Chairman Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) told the Globe their differences with Patrick’s budget are “not in the direction, but in the extent.” In a statement Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) said the proposal clearly “rejects once again the massive tax and spend measures” from Patrick. Tarr was still critical of the proposal, saying it “relies on a combination of over $ 627 million from one-time revenue sources and $ 450 million in tax increases, and that’s on top of the millions of dollars in additional tax increases that have been approved in recent years, including a $ 900 million increase in the sales tax implemented in 2009.” Patrick and the Legislature have until July 1, when the new fiscal year begins, to hammer out their differences and approve a budget. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Will Patrick’s $1.9 Billion Tax Hike Pass?
Governor Deval Patrick’s still bullish about his budget proposal, which will raise $ 1.9 billion in new revenue through an increase in the income tax, decrease in the sales tax, and various other changes to taxes, fees and deductions. But the men and women who have to pass the bill don’t sound as eager to support a package many see as a politically-damaging measure. The Boston Herald quotes several Beacon Hill legislators who sounded notes of caution to outright opposition to the budget. Those quoted cited the 1990 election losses in the wake of an income tax increase, pressure on small businesses and the higher price of gas as reasons they were skeptical. And the governor’s new web tools touting proposed transportation and education projects in specific political districts hasn’t done much to warm the waters, according to the Herald. What do you think? Is the governor’s budget dead on arrival, or does he have a shot at getting it passed? Would you pass this budget if you were a state senator? Does the state need the additional revenue or should it learn to live with the money it already collects? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! South End Patch