State Rep Donato Schedules Public Hearing for Local Aid

The following is an announcement from State Representative Paul Donato:

State Rep. Donato, State Sen. Rosenberg Head Municipal Relief Commission

State Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford) and State Senator Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst), co-chairs of the Legislature’s Special Municipal Relief Commission, will hold the Commission’s first public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd from 10 a.m-4 p.m. in Gardner Auditorium in the State House, Boston.

The 14-member joint House-Senate Commission was established to investigate the feasibility of innovative local revenue-generating initiatives to provide revenue relief to municipalities. Specifically, the Commission will examine possible expansion of the meals tax, the extension of the rooms’ tax to other accommodations not covered by the rooms’ tax, and other methods of increasing revenue and containing expenses.

“The cities and towns of the Commonwealth are facing unprecedented pressures. I am happy to be co-chair of a forum that will address the many and varied issues that have been challenging not only our communities, but local businesses and taxpayers, as well. This Commission will provide the opportunity to address the myriad of fiscal concerns from local officials, as well as proposals that Governor Patrick outlined in his Municipal Partnership Act,” Representative Donato said.

“Our economic situation, at all levels, demands that we give local officials as many tools as possible to meet their budgeting needs. This will be a challenge, no question about it, but the good news is that challenges spark creativity. I’m looking forward to working with Representative Donato and our colleagues on the Commission, as well as the people of the Commonwealth, in meeting this challenge,” said Senator Rosenberg.

For those who are unable to speak at the hearing on December 3rd, written testimony will be accepted by Senator Rosenberg’s and Representative Donato’s offices, respectively.  State Rep. Donato can be reached at 617-722-2960 or Paul.Donato@state.ma.us.

The Commission will draft and release a preliminary report on its findings in the weeks following the December 3rd hearing. Additional regional public hearings will be scheduled to gather feedback on those findings.