Sure this is old news, but I’m catching up.

Athol, MA - Bob Parks, candidate for State Representative in the 2nd Franklin District, today criticized incumbent State Rep. Christopher Donelan for his vote concerning local aid, when late last year he voted against using the state surplus to restore cuts made in local aid.

On October 11, 2007 Rep. Brad Jones and the House Republicans offered an amendment to the FY07 supplemental budget appropriation that would have returned $450 Million in surplus money as Local Aid to the cities and towns. Not only was that the amount of the surplus that year (since squandered by Deval Patrick and the Democrats), but it is also the amount of money that would of been returned to cities and towns if lottery aid had not been “capped” to divert money to the general fund several years ago.

Nearly every Democrat, including Representative Donelan, voted against this increase in funding, despite the fact that our towns are hurting for local aid dollars.

“While we have layoffs and threats of override votes, shouldn’t we be receiving back the portion of our tax dollars that belong to us?”, said Parks. “That surplus money could have put a dent in local budget cuts and would have made a big difference to our schools, our public safety, and our local property tax rates.”

Under the amendment offered late last year, out of the $450 Million in Lottery Money that would have been distributed to the 2nd Franklin District, Athol would have received $1,367,752, Erving $33,930, Gill $127,386, Greenfield $1,901,636, Orange $966,994, and Warwick $54,202.

It would appear Representative Donelan doesn’t believe we should get our fair share of the surplus, as he thus voted against restoring these local aid cuts. (RC#07-181, H. 4282, 10/11/07, Amendment Rejected, 24Y-123N-11N/V, Donelan voted “nay”)

Parks said, “Maybe Representative Donelan is looking out after the best interests of Metro Boston, as that’s where the bulk of the money will be directed, but in this district we could use our money as well. Something he obviously need be reminded of.”