Resor and Eldridge Lead Effort to Preserve Popular Preservation Program

Local legislative delegation leads legislative effort against Romney budget proposal to raid popular Community Preservation Act Funds

BOSTON – Senator Pamela Resor (D-Acton) and Representative Jamie Eldridge have led an effort in the Legislature to ensure that the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Trust Fund – matching dollars to cities and towns who have adopted the CPA – remains untouched. 

The CPA has been a successful program that cities and towns adopt, locally, through a small surcharge on the local real estate levy, and expend through town meeting vote for the purposes of affordable housing, open space protection, recreation and historic preservation.

In his Fiscal Year 2006 budget, Governor Romney has proposed to “transfer” $10 million of the matching dollars that are promised to cities and towns and place that money in a separate fund: The Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund.  If this proposal were to pass in the Legislature and signed as part of the Fiscal Year 2006 budget, it would mark the first time in the program’s history that money has been diverted away from the intended use. It would set an irreversible precedent and might result in some cities and towns rethinking their commitment to the program.

“The Community Preservation Act has been extremely successful across the state” said Representative Eldridge. “The Governor has given no rational basis to divert these funds from the Community Preservation Act Trust Fund.  He is proposing to break the promise between the state and the 75 cities and towns who have passed the CPA.  The proposal is senseless reform.”

In response to the Governors proposal, Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge have submitted letters of opposition to House Ways and Means Chairman Robert A. DeLeo and Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Therese Murray opposing the Governor’s proposal. Combined, over 70 members of the House and Senate have co-sponsored the letters of opposition.  [I will include a reference of Rep. Atkins for Acton Beacon]

“Our colleagues in the Legislature have stepped up the plate and have spoken clearly on behalf of their communities. It is my hope that the Legislature will not include the Governor’s proposal or any other diversion of funds that are proposed in this year’s budget debate” said Senator Resor.

Since the CPA was passed in 2000, 75 Cities and Towns have passed the law, including Harvard and Acton. Statewide, the Community Preservation Act has generated over $133 in spending fro affordable housing, open space protection, recreation and historical preservation. 16 additional cities and towns will be voting on the CPA in their community this spring.

“The CPA’s full potential has yet to be reached. It is my hope that we can stop the Governors proposal and focus our energies on promoting passage of the CPA in other cities and towns. With limited state funds available, the CPA is wonderful tool to offset some of the budget cuts over the past few years.” concluded Rep. Eldridge.