LENOX, Mass. — Aid to cities and town's won't be cut in order to close a gap in the state budget.

 

The governor proposed cuts last week by some $25 million to help close a budget gap, heavily influenced by the triggered reduction of income taxes.

 

The unrestricted aid would drop to fiscal 2014 levels, which Gov. Deval Patrick had originally proposed.

 

But House of Representatives officials won't bring that to a vote.

 

"Understanding the vital role cities and towns play in providing services and jobs, I will not support a reduction of unrestricted local aid," said Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo in a statement Thursday morning. 

 

"Local aid is integral to helping municipalities accurately assess and plan their budgets so that they can contribute to the overall growth of the Commonwealth’s economy. I am currently in discussions with the House Committee on Ways & Means, which is studying the fiscal situation, to review the remaining items.”

 

Locally, state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli said the House is not in formal session and calling a special session is "not going to happen." 

 

"[The governor] doesn't have any authority to cut local aid," Pignatelli said on Thursday. 

 

Patrick says he is cutting $198.1 million from the executive branch in his quest to cut $329 million out of the state budget. 

 

The administration is projecting a shortage because of a decrease in revenues of $70 million through the automatic reduction of the income tax (caused by an increase in revenues), the Legislature's economic development bill expected to cost $80 million and a shortage of some $175 million in fees and reimbursements.

 

Pignatelli says this type of shortfall is exactly what the state's so-called "rainy day fund" should be used to offset. 

 

"We have a healthy rainy day account," he said. "We should do everything we can to avoid cuts mid-year."

 

The Lenox Democrat says he is also worried about what the governor is cutting out of the executive branch. 

 

"A lot of health and human services ... that could affect our hospitals," Pignatelli said.