MassBudget: Explaining the FY 2018 budget

MassBudget Information. Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Democracy. Analyzing the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget At this point in the process, the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) state budget looks a lot like the FY 2017 budget. As MassBudget's new Budget Monitor, "Analyzing the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget" explains, the proposed total bottom line is lower than that of the FY 2017 budget, after adjusting for inflation, and we see essentially status-quo funding levels in each major category. Over the coming weeks and into the fall the Legislature will decide on whether to override the Governor's vetoes and whether to accept changes he has proposed or advance new proposals in response to his suggested changes. One major area of the budget remains in limbo: MassHealth, the Commonwealth's Medicaid program that comprises about a quarter of state spending. (While MassHealth is about 40 percent of the total budget, much of the cost of the program is paid by the federal government.) At the beginning of the budget process, the Governor identified a major challenge facing the MassHealth program: cost shifting from private sector employers onto the state MassHealth program as a result of more private sector employees not receiving health care from their employers. To address this cost shifting and help to stabilize the finances of the state MassHealth program, the Governor proposed an assessment on employers that don't meet certain thresholds for providing health insurance for their employees. That assessment would have raised $300 million in revenue in the first year and $600 million or more in future years. The budget enacted by the Legislature included a modified version of the employer assessment recommended by the Governor, but not new changes to MassHealth or the commercial health insurance market he proposed. When signing the budget, the Governor used his authority to send back sections with proposed amendments to ask the Legislature to hold hearings on and adopt his proposed changes to MassHealth along with the employer assessment. The budget uses a conservative revenue estimate for FY 2018, $749 million below the original estimate. It relies, however, on significant amounts of temporary revenue and savings to achieve balance.  This Budget Monitor describes the funding levels and major initiatives in each area of the budget.  It also provides comparisons to earlier versions this year, FY 2017 funding levels, and historic funding levels back to 2001 where relevant. For more comprehensive data on historic spending levels for each line item and category of the budget, see MassBudget's Budget Browser. For additional detail on programs in the state budget that affect children see our Children's Budget.  Click here to read the full Budget Monitor, "Analyzing the State Budget for FY 2018," or click below on individual sections: Child Welfare Disability Services Early Education Economic Development Elder Services Environment & Recreation Higher Education Housing Juvenile Justice K-12 Education Law & Public Safety Libraries Local Aid MassHealth & Health Reform Mental Health Other Human Services Pensions Public Health Revenue (tax and non-tax) State Employee Health Insurance Transitional Assistance Transportation Additional Line Item Vetoes Summary Chart #   #   # The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Early Education funding down 23% since 2001 (MassBudget graphic) Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

"having a ticket is critical to boarding or riding the trains"

From the Boston Globe, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Frustrated by the loss of tens of millions of dollars in uncollected fares, the MBTA will soon require passengers to show their tickets before boarding commuter rail trains at North Station. 

The modest and decidedly low-tech approach will begin in a few weeks, and is the first of several fare-collection initiatives that will affect virtually all commuter rail, subway, and bus riders. 

Commuter rail fares are currently collected by conductors during the trip. The MBTA estimates it loses as much as $30 million a year when collectors run out of time — or give up trying — to check tickets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/21/mbta-readies-new-system-for-verifying-passengers-payment/5Ic9pBMl3vOAQp2SmT6ytO/story.html

This MBTA train on July 13 should have gone to Forge Park and then returned to Franklin Dean before going to Boston on schedule. It never made it to Forge Park, left Franklin/Dean late and arrived in Boston late.

Editorial Note: 
As a long time rider from the Franklin/Dean station to Boston's South Station, the T has a mighty challenge at hand. While I absolutely agree ticket revenue is key, it goes hand in hand with a quality delivery of their service which has been lacking. It may very well be a chicken and egg thing (as it what comes first? revenue or service) but I would posit that in the competitive world service comes first. The T is in a non-competitive world and we suffer for it.

For all the improvements that have been made, faulty equipment, and a sorely lacking communication system (that provides timely and accurate info), never mind substandard on-time delivery remain as the top problems, and they are all interrelated. You'd think that by now with all the practice they have (slipped schedules, troublesome equipment, etc.) that the communications would have improved. One could only wish it had.

In the News: Cultural Festival opens this week

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Pirates, robots, opera and food are all part of the Cultural Festival which is back this year for a third time. 

The four-day event is sponsored by Franklin Cultural District Committee, and funded by donations. The festival will feature multiple performances by the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), as well as other displays and music. 

From Wednesday, July 26, to Saturday, July 29, downtown will be host to the all-day events that will span from the Town Common to the high school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/entertainmentlife/20170721/franklins-annual-cultural-festival-returns-this-week

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

the Town Common stage will be busy Wed-Thu-Fri with
performances during the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival

#shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common - Aug 26

Hold the date for the 2nd annual #shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common, Saturday, August 26th. With a rain date: Sunday August 27.

The sequel to the movie show last year is queued for viewing this time!

#shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common - Aug 26

Hold the date, additional details will be forth coming.  (Event will likely start around 7 or so with the movie to begin at dark about 9 or so)

Let's Laugh Today, Laughter Yoga - July 28, 5:00 PM

Farmer's Market, musical performances, end of the week, what better to do than to set aside some time to relax and laugh. Let's Laugh Today, Laughter Yoga is scheduled for the 3rd Franklin Cultural Festival on Friday, July 28th from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

Remember to bring a lawn chair and water to drink. 

Let's Laugh Today, Laughter Yoga will resume their 'normal schedule' on the first Wednesday in September. 

www.letslaughtoday.com

Let's Laugh Today, Laughter Yoga at the 3nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

3nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival: July 26 - July 29

The full Saturday schedule can be found here
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/day-3-3rd-annual-franklin-cultural.html
* note the schedule is subject to change

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here http://buff.ly/2tUdZO0

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 7/21/17 - THU 7/27/17

FRIDAY 7/21/17
9:30am   Family Yoga @ Franklin Public Library
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ Town Common
2pm   Dragons Love Tacos Party @ Franklin Public Library
3:30pm   Lemonade and Giant Legos @ Franklin Public Library
8pm   The Black Box Jazz: Kenny Hadley Big Band @ The Black Box

SATURDAY 7/22/17
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

SUNDAY 7/23/17
8am   Yoga on the Beach (free event, all levels welcome) @ Beaver Pond
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

MONDAY 7/24/17
9am-5pm   Pirate Training Camp (drop in activity each day of the week) @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Move Along on the Town Common
2:30pm   Maker Mondays @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Learn to Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 7/25/17
9am-5pm   Pirate Training Camp (drop in activity each day of the week) @ Franklin Public Library
9am   Do Gooders DIYs @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Move Along on the Town Common

WEDNESDAY 7/26/17
9am-5pm   Pirate Training Camp (drop in activity each day of the week) @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Franklin Cultural Festival: Captain Haines Pirate Show @ Franklin Public Library
5-8pm   Franklin Cultural Festival: Franklin Art Assoc: Children's activities: Sidewalk Chalk Art, Face Painting. Plein air Painting. @ Franklin Town Common
6-8pm   Franklin Cultural Festival: Electric Youth Concert @ Franklin Town Common

THURSDAY 7/27/17
9am-5pm   Pirate Training Camp (drop in activity each day of the week) @ Franklin Public Library
9:30am   Baby Tummy Time @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library
12pm   Park it and Read @ various Franklin Parks - check with the Library
1-6pm   American Red Cross Blood Drive @ Elks Lodge
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open: Wedding Gown Display
5-8pm   Franklin Cultural Festival: Display of Robots @ Franklin Methodist Church
5pm   Franklin Cultural Festival: Encore Music @ Franklin Town Common
6:45pm   Franklin Cultural Festival: Jamie Barrett @ Franklin Town Common
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
8pm   Franklin Cultural Festival: FSPA Performs The Mikado @ Franklin Town Common

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM

Linden announces candidacy for Franklin School Committee

Dr. Monica Linden of Franklin, MA has announced her candidacy for Franklin School Committee for the upcoming municipal election this November 7th. Dr. Linden, a political newcomer, is a Sr. Lecturer on the faculty of the Neuroscience department at Brown University. 

Dr. Monica Linden

An experienced educator, she teaches courses including Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. In this course, she teaches students about both how learning occurs within brain and also how this pertains to student learning. 

Dr. Linden’s research focuses on how to best improve student learning in the classroom, and she specializes on topics including academic technology and inclusive pedagogy. 

She hopes to bring her experience as a teacher for nearly a decade and a half, as well as her expertise as a scholar of teaching and learning to the Franklin Schools. 

Dr. Linden has a daughter in the Franklin school system as well, and she is devoted to supporting policies that will allow each Franklin student to have the best possible learning environment.

To learn more about Dr. Monica Linden and her campaign for Franklin School Committee, visit http://www.monicalinden.com and follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MonicaLindenMassachusetts/

Linden announces candidacy for Franklin School Committee

Franklin Library: Dragons Love Tacos Party - Jul 21 - 2:00 PM

The Franklin Library calls all dragon lovers to attention. The "Dragons Love Tacos" and "Dragons Love Tacos 2" books will be read aloud on Friday, Jul 21 at 2:00 PM.

After the reading, there'll be a party. Crafts, activities, and of course, tacos!

Franklin Library: Dragons Love Tacos Party - Jul 21 - 2:00 PM

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/dragons-love-tacos-party

LEAP, Where Kids Develop Communication Skills - Program this Fall

Your kids will thrive at MindsetGo!

"To 'find your voice' you must first have the courage to open your mouth."  - Josh Shipp L.E.A.P. Laugh • Experience Accomplish • Participate L.E.A.P. (Laugh, Experience, Accomplish, Participate) offers kids fun opportunities to be creative, develop their passions, grow leadership skills, and take initiative. By collaborating with peers of different ages in a judgment-free zone, kids contribute in multiple ways through teamwork, activities and engaging discussions on topics they love. Most important, children have a blast while becoming more confident and effective communicators. To be notified of upcoming program details or to learn how your school can host these classes, click "Take the LEAP" Take the LEAP Watch LEAP kids in action as they narrate this video. Parents, do you wish your kids were more skilled at? Speaking up for what they want and need Resolving conflict Dealing with their emotions Asserting themselves Forming better relationships/connections Kids get excited too: Demonstrate and share your hobbies/passions on camera Act out random ideas and situations through improv activities Debate fun topics so you can win arguments with parents/teacher Be a Critic: TV shows, Movies, Music and YouTube channel Compete in activities such as game shows, Shark Tank, and theater New Program coming this Fall Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm.  *Each week is unique so missing classes will not put your child behind. Ages: Grades 4-10  Cost: $99 one time registration and $60 per month  Location: MindsetGo  Lyman Street Plaza 18 Lyman Street, Suite 250 Westboro, MA  or Bring a LEAP Enrichment program to your school To be notified of upcoming program details or to learn how your school can host these classes, click "Take the LEAP" Take the LEAP MindsetGo | 978-793-1159 | maltman@mindsetgo.com | www.mindsetgo.com STAY CONNECTED

MindsetGo | 18 Lyman Street, Suite 250, Westborough, MA 01581 Sent by maltman@mindsetgo.com in collaboration with Try it free today