17.5
For the past few months I have raised the issue of inequity in local aid, specifically Chapter 70 funding. It’s one of the main reasons I decided to run to be your State Representative. I’ve made it clear that when elected one of my top priorities will be to get Saugus, Wakefield, and Lynnfield the local aid they deserve.
Just as a reminder, below is a table listing how little funding the communities in the 9th Essex receive when compared to their neighbors:
| Town | State Aid |
| Reading | $9.3 Million |
| Melrose | $7.4 Million |
| Andover | $7.3 Million |
| North Reading | $6.0 Million |
| North Andover | $5.4 Million |
| Wakefield | $4.8 Million |
| Saugus | $4.8 Million |
| Lynnfield | $4.0 Million |
While changing local aid inequities is a top priority, there are other issues with state funding that are harming our communities.
In 2006 the legislature determined that for every city and town, at least 17.5% of their education budget would be funded by the state. Since then, 58 school districts of the Commonwealth’s 400+ school districts have yet to be funded at the agreed upon level of 17.5%.
Unfortunately, both Saugus and Wakefield are on the list of 58 underfunded school districts.
In last year’s budget, Wakefield received 16.7% of their education budget from the state, less than the “promised” 17.5%. This translates to Wakefield schools not receiving approximately $237,000.
Saugus was worse, receiving only 15.5%, which translates into approximately $524,000 that Saugus taxpayers did not receive. Since 2006 Saugus has lost over $2.0 million and Wakefield approximately $1.3 million because of this lack of advocacy for our towns.
Even worse, they will continue to lose out with this year’s budget.
It is simply unacceptable that, in our legislative district the 9th Essex, the two biggest towns represented, Saugus and Wakefield, are underfunded according to the minimum standard put in place by the legislature. Perhaps even more frustrating is the notion that there appears to be no definitive plan relative to solving this inequity.
When elected, I will work with legislators from other communities in similar situations to rectify this issue. A representative should be able to build a coalition on Beacon Hill to address the most pressing problems in their district, and I've proven that I can do just that in Wakefield. Saugus and Wakefield deserve to get their fair share of local aid, and I will not rest until they do.
OTHER STORIES
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Dear Friends
Thank you for everything. Awhile ago a friend of mine asked me how many of my ‘supporters’ were ‘supporters’ and how many were ‘friends.’ I said, “They’re all my friends.”...
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Candidate Essay
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Route 1 Guardia Editorial
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Guardia Hosts Ice Cream Social at Senior Center
Last Thursday local seniors at the Saugus Senior Center were treated to an ice cream social courtesy of Anthony Guardia, democratic candidate for state representative...
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Bringing Jobs to the 9th Essex District and Investing in Higher Education
The state unemployment rate based on June data is at 9%. The under-employment rate, which includes those who have given up looking for work...
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Guardia Applauds Massachusetts State Building Authority
Anthony Guardia, Democratic State Representative Candidate for the 9th Essex State District, applauds the decision of the Massachusetts State Building Authority...
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Guardia Announces Second Round of Visits to Voters
Nearly every day since announcing his candidacy for the 9th Essex district State Representative seat, Anthony Guardia has visited voters...
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Budget Final
With the recent state budget passed on Beacon Hill, I would like to share some of my thoughts on fiscal policy with you...
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Bowling Fundraiser a Success for Guardia
On Friday, June 4th, voters of all ages joined 9th Essex District State Representative candidate Anthony Guardia at the Wakefield Bowladrome...
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Anthony Guardia announces Wakefield Supporters, Refutes Falzone’s List
Anthony Guardia, candidate for State Representative in the 9th Essex District, today announced his list of supporters in the town of Wakefield for the upcoming...
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Guardia Turns In Nomination Papers
State Representative candidate Anthony Guardia recently turned in his signed campaign nomination papers at all the local town halls...
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EDITORIAL: Substance Abuse Prevention in the 9th Essex District
There is a drug problem in the 9th Essex District. Data compiled by the Department of Public Health and presented to the Saugus School Committee in...
3/31/10 - read more
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The current budget situation in Saugus is divisive to a good community.
The School Committee recently approved a budget increase of $2.5 million over last year’s budget. The Town Administration initially offered the School...
2/28/10 - read more
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Guardia Campaign Kick-Off a Resounding Success
Anthony Guardia, Democratic candidate for 9th Essex District State Representative, held a campaign kick-off event on Friday, February 26th...
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Local Leaders to Endorse Guardia at Campaign Kick-Off
Anthony Guardia, Democratic candidate for 9th Essex District State Representative, will kick off his campaign on Friday, February 26th with support...
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Anthony Guardia announces candidacy for 9th Essex District State Rep.
Anthony Guardia, Chairman of the Wakefield School Committee, announced today that he will run as a Democrat for State Representative...
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