BOSTON — A total of $12.6 million in state cultural grants, $5.5 million for a so-called "pothole fund" that Gloucester and other communities have utilized to plug gaps in school funding, boosts in programs serving the Cape Ann Food Pantry and food providers, and a 100,000 boost for Gloucester's Maritime Heritage Center are all included in the $28.3-billion state budget approved yesterday by Massachusetts lawmakers.
The fiscal 2008-2009 spending plan increases spending on education, local aid to cities and towns, and public safety. The Legislature's budget is 5.2 percent larger than last year's budget. The approved budget document also includes a series of directives. Those include one telling the Department of Environmental Protection to ease the burden on communities struggling to meet sewer mandates — such as Gloucester and Rockport. Another directs the state's Division of Marine Fisheries to "promote strategies" aimed at easing the impact of regulations on the fishing industry while building toward more "sustainability" for fishing stocks.
Gov. Deval Patrick has 10 days to sign it. He can also veto or amend individual spending items and send them back to the Legislature.
The package includes $2.4 million aimed at easing the crushing debt of Haverhill's Hale Hospital.
"We lobbied very hard for that money," said state Rep. Brian S. Dempsey, D-Haverhill. "We'll be lobbying (the governor) very hard to make the case that it should stay in."
The Haverhill earmark was one of many spending increases that resulted in the budget that hits Patrick's desk at a mark $1.42 billion larger than last year's.
To balance the budget, the Legislature depends on $623 million in new tax revenues. Of that, $291 million comes from closing so-called corporate tax loopholes and $157 million from stricter tax enforcement and $175 million for the $1 a pack increase in the cigarette tax.
Although the Democratic majority talked about austerity, most line items remained intact in the final bill to emerge from conference committee.
"It's difficult to understand how the budget emerged from conference committee higher than either branches voted for," said Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester. "We just significantly increased spending as the storm clouds are gathering."
But while acknowledging the state may have to cut spending during the year, Rep. Anthony J. Verga, D-Gloucester, defended the budget.
"I maintain this budget addresses the problems of all the communities of the commonwealth," Verga said.
This year's budget arrived three days late — the fiscal year began July 1 — and wasn't finished until 10 p.m. Wednesday night. That forced the House and Senate to suspend rules requiring lawmakers have time to review bills before voting.
Lawmakers arrived for rare morning sessions, and after short debate voted on the $28.23 billion spending plan, and then bolted from the Statehouse for the long weekend.
The budget increased spending in many areas of importance to North of Boston communities.
r It increased local aid by $124 million, bringing the total state assistance to cities and towns to $935 million.
Lawmakers also boosted Chapter 70 school aid by $223 million, bringing that total to $3.95 billion. As a result, all school districts will receive an increase over last year's aid, as the state continues on a five-year plan to better fund local schools.
Those areas won't be touched by Patrick's veto pen — local and education aid were agreed upon early in the budget process.
Other statewide spending with local impact included $21.4 million for community policing grants and $4 million for local police training grants, $61.3 million for regional school transportation, and $230 million to help school districts pay for special education. Also:
r The package for cultural and arts funding is also seen as a boost for Cape Ann, given the increased focus by Rockport and Gloucester officials on the idea of economic development through "creative economy."
r There's also the $5.5 million for a "pothole" fund that cities like Gloucester have tapped in recent years to make up for shortfalls in state education spending — and which Tarr said the city would likely rely upon again.
r Lawmakers approved $2 million to further offset special education costs. The plan by Reps. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich — whose district includes parts of Manchester and Essex — Barbara A. L'Italien, D-Andover, and David Torrisi, D-North Andover, would reward communities that save money transporting special ed students by using a special software to share routes.
r Sen. Susan C. Tucker, D-Andover, secured $8.25 million to implement recommendations of a special commission to end homelessness. She also helped win more than $5 million for a fund that Lawrence General Hospital relies on. The hospital's share could be $200,000.
r In the wake of the Gloucester teen pregnancy furor, lawmakers included a $55,000 increase for a state program combatting teen pregnancy.
r Rep. Michael A. Costello, D-Newburyport, won his years-long battle to change the name of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services.
r The budget directs the Division of Marine Fisheries to continue developing strategies to ease the burden of current federal fishing regulations and promote sustainability in the industry.
r Language in the budget also directs the Department of Environmental Protection to investigate ways to ease the financial burden on municipalities who are struggling due to sewer mandates. This relief will benefit areas with older sewer systems.
r The budget authorizes $12 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program that will benefit the Cape Ann Food Pantry in Gloucester to serve children and families in need.
r It provides $8.6 million to local Councils on Aging, which will directly benefit local seniors programs in Essex, Gloucester and Rockport.
r It provides $100,000 for the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
r The budget provides $17.4 million for school health services in Massachusetts public schools. Gloucester and Rockport, which both have substance abuse and mental programs, will benefit from this funding.
