Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-643

EDU 643

Chapter 70 Local Contribution Formula Working Group

Messrs. Tarr, O'Connor, Moore and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. There shall be established a chapter 70 local contribution formula working group to study and make recommendations for updating the local contribution formula as determined pursuant to chapter 70 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The working group shall consist of 7 members: secretary of education or a designee who shall serve has chair, The commissioner of the elementary and secondary education or a designee, the commissioner of revenue or a designee, 1 designee from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, 1 designee from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 designee from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, and 1 designee from Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. The working group shall issue a report that includes, but is not limited to, (i) an analysis of the impact of the current local contribution formula on municipal budgets, (ii) an assessment on municipalities’ ability to pay the required local contribution and maintain other municipal services, (iii) the impact of proposition 2½ on a municipality’s ability to pay the required local contribution; and (iv) an analysis of local contribution to education funding in other states. The working group shall include recommendations to update the local contribution formula to appropriately assess what a municipality shall contribute to education funding going forward. The analysis and recommendations shall be submitted to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the joint committee on education, and the house and senate committees on ways and means no later than December 31, 2024."