Senator Ross Votes against Senate FY14 Budget

Boston – Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) voted against passing a $33.92 billion budget for the fiscal year 2014. While the Senate Committee on Ways and Means proposal restored funding to several important services, it relied heavily on excessive tax increases included in the transportation finance reform legislation passed by the Senate in April. The Senate ultimately passed the budget.

“While I acknowledge the precarious economic situation in which the Commonwealth remains, as well as the need for increased funding for essential services, I believe it is unfair for that funding to come at the expense of the hardworking taxpayers,” said Senator Ross. “It is crucial that we do all we can to avoid tax increases, including utilizing pre-existing sources of revenue and initiating reform of systems and programs that are no longer operating efficiently.”

Senator Ross was proud that two of his successful amendments would make a positive impact in the budget proposal. First, a study investigating the reduction of paper use in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a means of increasing efficiency in schools and protecting the environment. The reduction being studied would be accomplished through maximizing use of information technology and inter-agency file sharing technology. Another successful amendment would provide veterans with free or reduced admission to public forests and beaches in the Commonwealth, while also assessing the cost implications of this plan.

The Senate adopted several amendments filed by the Senate Republican Caucus aimed at increasing fiscal discipline in the Commonwealth, including an amendment instituting zero-based budgeting. This proposal would require the Governor to utilize a zero-based budget every four years in which appropriations are made without regard for prior funding and based solely on an agency’s tasks and goals.

Senator Ross was pleased to finally see an amendment updating the Bottle Bill adopted by the Senate, adding water and other non-carbonated beverages to the bottle deposit law. Senator Ross also supported amendments providing additional support to communities, including an increase in UGGA local aid and regional school transportation. The Senate also approved an amendment ensuring that local shares of racing revenues will be designated to the cities and towns hosting racing facilities.

Please contact the office of Senator Ross with any questions or concerns at (617) 722-1555 or Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.