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Mass. House to Lift Lottery Aid Cap
Massachusetts Lottery: Mass. House to Lift Lottery Aid Cap
Massachusetts State Representative Daniel E. Bosley (D-North Adams) today announced that the upcoming House Ways & Means budget will lift the cap on Lottery aid and send the highest levels of local aid to cities and towns in the Commonwealth's history. The proposed total spending represents $920 million, an increase of $158 million over the current fiscal year expenditure and $260 million over Fiscal Year 2005. "Local aid is one of the most worthwhile investments the House makes each year," said Bosley. "These additional dollars will make it easier for cities and towns to provide the essential local services our citizens depend on and ease property tax burdens across Massachusetts." In Bosley's First Berkshire District, cities and towns will receive the following amounts: Adams, $2,434,463; North Adams, $5,250,381; Rowe, $4,791; Monroe, $8,805; Williamstown, $1,169,507; Heath, $95,301; Hawley, $39,884; Savoy, $128,020; Clarksburg, $432,260; Florida, $60,898. "This is the best news that we've received in better than three years," said North Adams Mayor John Barrett III. "It will allow cities and towns to put an end to the escalating property tax increases of the past and will provide communities with fiscal relief to allow programs to be restored." The Legislature was forced to divert Lottery aid — monies traditionally directed to municipalities — to the state's general fund at the height of the most recent recession in 2003. As a result, cities and towns made cuts to local education, public safety and transportation accounts and increased their reliance on property taxes to balance municipal budgets. The Lottery aid figures in the House Ways & Means budget will exceed pre-recessionary levels. "Local officials in every city and town hall across the state applaud the House for ending the Lottery cap, a major step to restoring fiscal and economic health for all of our communities," said Geoffrey C. Beckwith, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. "They clearly understand the difficult fiscal challenges facing cities and towns. This is a great day for all of us."
iBerkshires
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8 comments. Last comment 4 years ago by .
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United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11297 Posts
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| Posted: April 2, 2006, 1:41 pm - IP Logged |
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Not bad. MA also needs to give all Megabucks and scratch winners a cash option.
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Memphis,Tennessee United States Member #8005 October 15, 2004 11291 Posts Offline |
| Posted: April 2, 2006, 5:47 pm - IP Logged |
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i never knew they didn't.i guess they need to have that option....
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Wandering Aimlessly United States Member #25708 November 5, 2005 4379 Posts Offline |
| Posted: April 2, 2006, 5:54 pm - IP Logged |
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Not bad. MA also needs to give all Megabucks and scratch winners a cash option. They also should change their cash option policy to 60 days from the time the ticket is claimed instead of the drawing date. I'm not sure about all of their games, but I know that they have that rule for MegaMillions. It's like the FL lottery...they should give people more time or let them choose the cash option at time of purchase.
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Wandering Aimlessly United States Member #25708 November 5, 2005 4379 Posts Offline |
| Posted: April 2, 2006, 6:01 pm - IP Logged |
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"In Bosley's First Berkshire District, cities and towns will receive the following amounts: Adams, $2,434,463; North Adams, $5,250,381; Rowe, $4,791; Monroe, $8,805; Williamstown, $1,169,507; Heath, $95,301; Hawley, $39,884; Savoy, $128,020; Clarksburg, $432,260; Florida, $60,898. " What a strange address that would be. "I live in Florida." "Oh, I thought you said you lived in Massachusetts" "Yes, I live in Florida, Massachusetts." Sorry, I'm entertaining myself. Seriously, I was born in Boston and grew up (well not yet) in Newton and spent most of my life in MA and I never heard of any of these towns. I think they're all in the Berkshires..which is a very pretty area near Vermont & NY.
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Columbus Ohio United States Member #36345 March 25, 2006 234 Posts Offline |
| Posted: April 4, 2006, 3:06 pm - IP Logged |
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i never knew they didn't.i guess they need to have that option....  I am with ya there MIKE, I didnt know either. It drives me crazy how different all the laws are in all the different states.
AND I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE AWESOMEEEEEE TO HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO CHOOSE CASH OR PAYMENTS WHEN PURCHASING YOUR ONLINE GAMES!!!  AND I REALLY WANNA SEE THEM FINALLY GET A POWER PLAY HERE AND GET RID OF THE KICKER... I WIN MORE IN THE PB BECAUSE OF THE POWER PLAY
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Memphis,Tennessee United States Member #8005 October 15, 2004 11291 Posts Offline |
| Posted: April 7, 2006, 12:22 pm - IP Logged |
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florida has a very short period to claim prizes....
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Memphis,Tennessee United States Member #8005 October 15, 2004 11291 Posts Offline |
| Posted: April 7, 2006, 12:23 pm - IP Logged |
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i think a lot of people from out of state purchase tickets in florida on vacation......
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United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11297 Posts
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| Posted: April 10, 2006, 3:03 pm - IP Logged |
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i think a lot of people from out of state purchase tickets in florida on vacation...... That, and also those who live in two states, are reasons why Florida should start the 60-day clock with the claim, rather than the Lotto/Mega Money drawing. (Both games have annuity jackpots.)
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