Within the current 18th Essex District which Lyons represents, the Town of Andover will receive an additional $608,804 and the Town of North Andover is scheduled to receive an increase of more than $105,504. These are examples of the taxpayer dollars that will now be available for local communities to fund primary and secondary education.
"This is a first step," Lyons reiterated, "but it is only the first of many steps forward needed to reform state government, to provide tax relief, and to increase Local Aid. I intend to continue fighting for taxpayers, working families, small businesses, and local communities.
"I will continue to vote against overblown budgets that maintain the misplaced priorities and out-of-control spending of the Patrick Administration," emphasized the Andover Republican, who applauded the Chapter 70 funding line item, while opposing the massive state spending blueprint.
"We are all witnessing rampant waste in the state EBT card program," Lyons added, "along with the abuse of Mass Health and Health Safety Net. And we see the political patronage and corruption in the probation system. Unfortunately, the Patrick Administration insiders and Beacon Hill power brokers fought against proposals to reform the state bureaucracy and prevent the EBT and Health Safety Net excesses.
"We should all be pleased," Lyons concluded, "that the Legislature is recognizing the need for greater Local Aid. We all rely on the services provided through our local communities. At the same time, we must cap property taxes and protect Proposition 2 1/2. The most effective way to achieve those twin goals is by ending this Administration's wasteful spending of our hard-earned taxpayer dollars. It's time to direct those precious resources to maintain strong local communities, while holding down property tax rates."
