MassBudget: Explaining the State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides

MassBudget Information. Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Democracy. Explaining the State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides In the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's latest Budget Monitor, "The State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides," we see the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) budget season ending much the way it started: with our state facing difficult fiscal conditions and unable to make the kinds of long-term investments that could significantly improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and expand opportunity in all communities. At this point in the process -- after the Legislature enacted the budget, the Governor made a number of line item vetoes, and the Legislature overrode virtually all those vetoes and approved some supplemental funding -- we have a state budget that makes some modest investments, particularly in education, child welfare, and in addressing substance use disorders. The budget, however, continues to rely significantly on temporary fixes: counting 13 months of sales tax revenue in the 12 months of FY 2018; underfunding a number of accounts that will eventually need to be funded -- such as paying for snow and ice removal; and a number of similar strategies. Altogether the budget includes about $750 million in temporary revenue and underfunded accounts. This makes it highly likely that the state will continue to face serious fiscal challenges next year. A bright spot, however, is tax revenue growth so far this year has been stronger than projected. If that trend continues, it would reduce the need to rely on temporary fixes this year and would put the state in better fiscal condition next year. In the long term, however, there is a significant danger that the federal government will -- to pay for the costs of federal tax cuts -- impose deep cuts in Medicaid, education, and other services currently funded together by the state and federal governments. This Budget Monitor includes the final funding levels of FY 2017, the current FY 2018 budget, and significant policy changes in each area of the budget. Current 2018 budget levels are also compared to 2001 budget 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, "The State Budget for FY 2018 Including Veto Overrides," or click below on individual sections: Child Welfare Disability Services Early Education Economic Development Elder Services Environment and Recreation Higher Education Housing Juvenile Justice K-12 Education Law and Public Safety Libraries Local Aid MassHealth and 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 Overrides 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

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

screen grab of MassBudget webpage

Tri-County Honor Roll for First Quarter of the 2017-2018 school. year

The honor roll for the first quarter of the 2017-2018 school year from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin is now available.

• Students who receive term grades of B- or better in all subjects earn honor roll status.
• Students who earn grades of A- or better in all subjects receive high honors.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hZxUjhGS271RYsrJvaJcuS9EOlsEl_29/view?usp=sharing

Tri-County Honor Roll for First Quarter of the 2017-2018 school. year

Holiday Stroll - today - 4 PM to 7 PM

Catch the tree lighting at Dean College at 4:00
Mrs Claus is at the Historical Museum
Santa is at Simon's Furniture
Decorate gingerbread men at Dean Bank

Music will be out and about the downtown businesses!

Holiday Stroll - today - 4 PM to 7 PM

This was shared from the Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2017/11/our-2017-holiday-stroll-poster.html

Ring In The Holidays With Two FPAC Original Musicals

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) celebrates the holiday season with two original FPAC musicals, Alice in a Winter Wonderland and ’Tis the Season! The productions are family friendly, festive, and full of fun for audiences of all ages.

FPAC’s large-cast holiday musical, ’Tis the Season!, will be presented on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 10 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, located at 18 Oak Street. An FPAC family favorite since debuting as part of the 1995 season, ‘Tis is an upbeat, jazzy extravaganza featuring members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band, with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from R&B, gospel, and Motown to rock, pop, and Broadway. 

Highlights include Andy William’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Quincy Jones’ sensational version of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” songs from several popular television holiday specials, and many surprises.

With a twist on the Alice in Wonderland children’s classic, FPAC’s third annual panto, Alice in a Winter Wonderland, debuts this season at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Performances are on Friday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 23 at 2:00 and 7:30. 

The production follows in the tradition of a British panto, a type of show that retells a well-known fairy tale in an exaggerated style filled with audience participation, popular music, slapstick comedy, jokes, dances, and more. Audiences are invited to cheer for the hero, boo at the villain, and sing along with some of their favorite songs. The panto also entertains with double entendre, references to modern culture, and open satire of other works.

Founded in 1991, FPAC presents the holiday musicals as part of the company’s 27th season. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment, and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers, and students of the arts. 

Tickets are $34 for Alice in a Winter Wonderland and $32-$36 for ’Tis the Season! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370. Middlesex Savings Bank and Waters Corporation are FPAC 2017 Holiday Sponsors.

Ring In The Holidays With Two FPAC Original Musicals

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School First Lego League to Attend States Championship

The BFCCPS Robotics has been hard at work since this summer. Over the weekend, the Gearminds Team competed at the First Lego League Regional competitions at WPI and was selected for the upcoming States Championship on December 16.

Gearminds was one of the 11 teams among 40 to receive the Golden ticket to the States. The team was selected based on their consistent show in Robotic matches, excellent Project presentation and teamwork during the Instant Challenge. They competed against some of the best teams in New England and placed 4th overall in Robot matches, and won a special jury award for Core Values which reflects the Character Education built here at BFCCPS.

The BFCCPS First Lego League Middle School team GEARMINDS is comprised of 7th and 8th grade students and is mentored by BFCCPS Alumni and one current Grade 8 student. The Elementary school training team attended the regional competition and have been inspired with the good ring side view of the matches and the team's achievement.

Many thanks to the parent volunteers Mr. Ramesh Balan and Mrs. Upasana Pendkar who have coordinated team practices to make this competition possible for our students!
About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

special jury award for Core Values

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School First Lego League to Attend States Championship

selected for the upcoming States Championship on December 16

Franklin Historical Museum: Spirits of Fashion - Sunday Dec 10

Karen Antonowicz will discuss the influences of wartime on fashion. From the Civil War to World War II. What does rationing and limited resources do to influence fashion. 

A presentation, discussion, and fashion samples are all part of Karen's one hour talk. Join us for this compelling look back at fabric and fashion by this noted fashion expert. Sunday, December 10 at 1:15 PM. This is a rescheduled event from a cancellation in November.


Starting Thursday December 14 through April the museum will not be open Thursday evenings. 

In addition, the museum will be closed Sunday December 24 for Christmas Eve and Sunday December 31 for New Year's Eve.

Fashions of The WW II Era

Find out more about the Franklin Historical Museum on the web at
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

In the News: new generation for Town Council; trees cut down on Maple St; Snappy Dogs fund raising

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

"Town government has a reputation for being filled with older residents and homeowners that have been in town for decades. The most recent town election changed that by introducing a new generation to Town Council. 

For the first time, two millennials sit in the Council Chambers to weigh in on the future of the town they grew up in. Patrick Casey, 28, and a digital account services coordinator at International Data Group, and Eamon McCarthy Earls, 23, editor at TechTarget, were sworn in after winning the November election. 

Casey and Earls agreed that the millennial generation has a number of negative stereotypes, but believe many of them are misplaced. 

“It’s important to keep all perspectives in play,” said Casey. “But it’s nice to have this breath of fresh air from myself and Eamon to have a new look at things.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/franklin-town-councils-younger-generation

"Residents are angry about dozens of trees that have been cut down in a new development in the Maple Street area. And it’s likely more will come down in the future. 

Two large pieces of property equaling about 80 acres are being developed in that area. The owners of the property are working to create residential space on both sides of Maple Street. 

In late November, workers on the property that abuts Franklin Springs Road and Maple Street legally cut down the trees to make way for a new cul-de-sac and multiple houses."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/franklin-residents-unhappy-with-tree-clearing

"The owners of Snappy Dogs hope to bring their popular hot dog stand back home. 

To make it possible, owners Teresa Boyce and Lisa Volpe Hachey launched an online campaign to raise $10,000 to build a second trailer, to be called “Snappy 2.” The new trailer will be parked at CVS pharmacy, where the business spent its first six seasons before Colella’s Supermarket closed. 

The campaign on Kickstarter.com is called, Bring Snappy Dogs Home. As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the business has received $7,185 with 18 days left. The campaign ends on Christmas day and is only funded if the full amount is raised."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171205/hopkinton-snappy-dogs-hopes-to-raise-10k-for-another-hot-dog-stand

The Kickstarter link can be found here
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/snappydogs/bring-snappy-dogs-home

More about Snappy Dogs can be found on their webpage  http://www.snappydogs.com/

the original trailer for Snappy Dogs (photo via Snappy Dogs webpage)