BOSTON – Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford today issued the following response to Governor Charlie Baker’s FY18 budget proposal:

“With today’s budget proposal to cut benefits for nearly 300,000 Obamacare beneficiaries, Governor Baker joins the Republican campaign to dismantle Obamacare piece-by-piece.

“Sadly, this budget also offers the smallest increase in local education aid in six years — just $20 per student. That’s not enough to cover the rising costs local school districts face, and certainly not enough to make critical investments in early education, smaller class sizes, or STEM programs.

“The Governor’s budget would force school districts across the state to make painful budget cuts, hurting our students and their schools.”

Highlights of Baker’s Budget Proposal:

Cutting Benefits for Obamacare Beneficiaries

Outside Section 72 of Governor Baker’s budget would eliminate certain healthcare benefits for close to 300,000 people in the MassHealth CarePlus program for Obamacare beneficiaries in Massachusetts.

Ch. 70 Local Education Aid

Governor Baker’s budget provides the smallest increase in Chapter 70 aid since 2011. It only adds $20 per student to help improve local schools—not enough to keep up with rising costs.

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