Curran tackles distribution of aid

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD State Representative Sean Curran has filed legislation that would establish a formula for the additional state aid funding currently granted by the Legislature to some, but not all, municipalities in the Commonwealth.

Curran explained that under his plan, each of the Commonwealth's cities and town would receive a share of the current $370 million fund based on population and property evaluation. Currently, there is no formula to determine what each community should receive.

If passed, the bill would provide funding for 200 communities that have not received such aid since 1993. The bill would not require any increase in taxes, only a re-distribution of existing funds.

Additional state aid has been a re-occurring subject in the discussion of Springfield's financial plight. The state's third largest city receives a fraction of what smaller cities such as Cambridge and Somerville are given. Under Curran's proposal, Springfield would receive $22,495,939 compared to the $1,829,456 it currently receives.

Other communities would benefit as well. Chicopee would go from receiving $1.1 million to $6 million. South Hadley, which gets no aid, would go to $1.4 million. Both East Longmeadow and Agawam, which also receive no aid, would jump to $872,000 and $1.9 million respectively.

According to Curran, the political reality is that under his bill Boston would drop from $164 million to $24 million.

"That represents a political dynamic," he said. "How can you expect the city of Boston to strip off $140 million? We can't expect them to lose it."

Curran's solution is for the Legislature to set aside $25 million a year for the next four to five years to make up the funding difference for Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.

Curran has contacted Governor Mitt Romney's office to see if Romney would support his proposal and, at press time, there was no response.

His bill is being co-sponsored by State Representatives Gale Candaras, Mary Rogeness, Daniel Keenan, Ellen Story, and John Scibak as well as State Senator Brian Lees.