Massbudget First Look: The House Ways and Means Budget

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First Look: The House Ways and Means Budget    Early this afternoon, the House Ways and Means Committee finalised its budget proposal for FY 2013. MassBudget's First Look provides a preliminary analysis of the major initiatives along with the effects on core programs. To address the state's budget deficit, the House Ways and Means budget relies heavily on: Cuts and savings, including reduced funding for Early Education & Care and Public Health. One-time revenue, drawn mostly from the "rainy day" fund. In contrast to the Governor's proposal, which introduced some modest tax initiatives, the House Ways and Means budget does not include any revenue from new taxes. Read A FIRST LOOK: THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS FY 2013 BUDGET MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

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Franklin Food Pantry: Current Needs

The current needs list of food and non-food items for the Franklin Food Pantry can be found in the document shown here:




You can also view the doc online here
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczWHRQNUo1YzRZTmM


Note: I am on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry.

New Feature at Franklin Downtown Partnership web page

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

New Feature

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 4/11/12

We are introducing a new feature on our website -- we have created a space for our members to advertise downtown retail and office space they have available. We have called it simply "Office and Retail Space Available" and you can find it on the right-hand side of the page under the Downtown Partnership Calendar and next to the Downtown Partners' Links. 


We start this feature off with a listing from Joseph Byrne of Byrne Financial Freedom, LLC. 


Do you have property you'd like us to list? Contact Lisa at Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com with the pertinent information. We will list your property for one month. 


Looking for more properties? Please feel free to contact one of our many member realtors via their link on the right side of this page for more information.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

In the News - Letters to the Editor

Hobbs: Franklin fire victims offer gratitude

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Aucoin: Franklin vote penalizes other communities

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Spring Pond

As the buds continue to blossom, the brown on the tree line will change to green.

MassBudget Update: Revenue Proposals in the FY 2013 Budget Process

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Revenue Proposals in the Governor's Budget   On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee releases its budget proposal for FY 2013. And the fiscal challenge they face is to fill a budget gap of roughly $1.3 billion. To provide some context, MassBudget has updated its Budget Monitor with a fuller analysis of the Governor's proposals to address that same deficit by way of new revenue. Most of the new revenue specified in the Governor's budget is temporary--chiefly from the "rainy day" fund. But a modest amount (roughly $215 million) is ongoing, including An increase in the cigarette tax which would raise $62.5 million.  An end to the sales tax exemption for candy and soda which amounts to $61.5 million. Our analysis covers these and other revenue initiatives in greater detail. We also invite you to use our Budget Monitor more broadly--to compare the forthcoming House Ways and Means budget with the Governor's proposals for health care, education, public safety, and beyond. Our "First Look" review of the House Ways and Means Budget will be available Wednesday and our comprehensive Budget Monitor early next week. READ ABOUT REVENUE PROPOSALS IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies--with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Fundraising for the Rail Trail Effort

To All,

As some of you may know, I'v been involved in the development of the four 1/2 mile Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) in Franklin and Bellingham with our parent 501(c)(3), the Grand Trunk Trail Blazers.  This is an abandoned railroad path that runs from Franklin through Bellingham and into Blackstone.

The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee's mission is to raise awareness about the trail's existence and to develop it into a multiuse trail.  Our united efforts will ultimately provide a safe environment for riding bikes, horses, walking or jogging, and generally encouraging people to exercise in the outdoors.

The advantages of using this type of trail are many including improved cardiovascular health and fitness and destressing as you enjoy the beauty around us.  Because of the trail's proximity to public transportation, we hope to eventually extend it to the commuter rail stations and public transportation.  This can further help the environment by reducing dependence on cars during the daily commute.

We are holding a 5k run/1 mile walk on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the former Putnam Property at 431 Washington Street, Franklin, MA on paved trails.  We would love to have you join us.  Entry fee is $20 prior to race day, $25 on race day and $15 for students. You can also register online at www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org.

Or maybe you can support us either by becoming a member ($25), attending committee meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, or by sponsoring our event on May 12th.

If you would like to support this cause, please make your tax deductible check payable to: the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee and mail it to: FBRTC Treasurer, PO Box 68, Franklin, MA 02038.

Regards,

Dave & Annette Labonte

Vice Chair, Race Chair

Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee