FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2006

Boston, MA – State Representative John F. Quinn (D-Dartmouth) today announced that he has successfully secured funding in the House of Representatives Fiscal Year 2007 Budget for the town of Dartmouth.

The House budget includes an additional $173 million for Chapter 70 education funding over last year’s budget, guaranteeing that all districts receive at least $50 more in aid per pupil in Fiscal year 2007. The town of Dartmouth received an increase of $836,724 or 10.1 % more in Chapter 70 money from Fiscal Year 2006. Likewise, these figures reflect a $277,468 increase in what the Governor recommended for FY ’07.

“These education numbers reflect an increase from previous budget cycles as well as an increase from the Governor’s recommendations,” said Rep. Quinn. “Local aid has been the number one priority up here in the State House and I am very pleased to assist the town with the financial burden they contend with.”

According to Rep. Quinn, the House budget also includes a $538,054 or 21% increase in lottery aid for the town of Dartmouth from the FY ’06 budget. This increase was due to the Legislature’s uncapping of the state lottery.

Other funding including in the House budget included:

• An increase of $1.3 million for special education circuit breaker funding
• An additional $6,000 for the Veteran’s Association of Bristol County
• $150,000 for a coastal shore water testing program administered by the Coalition for Buzzards Bay
• An increase of $60 million for public higher education institutions

“This year’s House budget provides our cities and towns with much needed fiscal relief,” said Rep. Quinn. “In developing this budget we were also able to continue to fund essential state programs and services at or above previous funding levels.”