Governor's veto

Among the vetoes from Governor Patrick on Sunday was one covering the so-called "pothole funding"* which would cover a jump in needed funding by a district; the compromise budget funded this at $3.5 million for FY13. This was a reinstatement of an account we used to have but haven't had much of in some years.






*‎"For a reserve [$3.5 million] to meet extraordinary increases in the minimum required local contribution of a municipality under the requirements of section 3 of this act; provided, that a municipality seeking funds hereunder shall apply for a waiver from the department of revenue under section 122; provided further, that the commissioner shall issue a finding concerning such waiver applications within 30 days of the receipt thereof, after consulting with the commissioner of elementary and secondary education regarding the merits of such application; provided further, that funds may be expended to assist school districts whose target aid percentage exceeds that district’s chapter 70 aid as a percentage of foundation by 5 percentage points or greater; and provided further, that no funds distributed from this item shall be considered prior year chapter 70 aid nor shall they be used in the calculation of the minimum required local contribution for fiscal year 2014" 
And that, folks, is why we call it "pothole funding."