FY09 Budget Timeline

January 23 – Gov. Deval Patrick files his budget

February and March – House and Senate Ways and Means hold hearings across the state

March – House Ways and Means drafts budget

Mid-Late April – House Ways and Means releases their FY09 budget

Last Week of April - Early May – House considers its version of FY09 budget

Mid-late May – Senate Ways and Means releases its version of FY09 budget

Late May - Early June – Senate debates its version of FY09 budget

June – Conference Committee meets to iron out differences in House and Senate versions of FY09 budget

Mid - Late June – House and Senate approve Conference Committee report on the FY09 budget. Sends budget to Patrick who has 10 days to accept or veto budget.  All vetoes must be considered before July 31, when Legislature ceases holding formal sessions.

July 1 – New fiscal year begins

Recent Public Education Funding Developments

• Action Alert: Budget Vetoes
  A number of Governor Patrick's vetoes have an impact on public education and MTA members. Contact your legislators today.
• Proposed Senate budget reflects economic downturn
  The $28 billion budget increases funding for Chapter 70 and public higher education and does not include an increase in the health insurance premium shares for state employees.
• MTA launches campaign against income tax repeal
  The MTA strongly opposes the November ballot initiative because it would devastate public education, the economy and our quality of life in Massachusetts. The consequences would be dire.
• House budget reflects fiscal concerns
  But the proposal includes new tax cuts for corporations and financial institutions and new loopholes and tax avoidance opportunities. Chapter 70, when inflation is taken into account, is still $421 million below FY02 funding levels.
• The governor's budget
  MTA's analysis of the FY09 proposal released January 23.