House Minority Leader Brad Jones’ Statement on Release of House Ways & Means FY2016 Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) released the following statement regarding the $38 billion Fiscal Year 2016 state budget proposal filed today by the House Ways and Means Committee:

“Based on my initial review of the budget, I am pleased the Ways and Means Committee has seen fit to expand upon the local aid increases included in Governor Baker’s budget proposal, which is good news for our cities and towns.  I am also happy to see that the Ways and Means budget begins to address many of the recommended reforms needed to promote increased reliability, efficiency and stability at the MBTA.  I look forward to reading through the budget in more detail over the next couple of days, and I anticipate a healthy and rigorous debate on the amendments that the caucus and our House colleagues will be submitting in advance of Friday’s filing deadline."