WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Regional Chamber Government Reception is an annual opportunity for chamber members to speak with members of the Western Massachusetts legislation delegation.        

This year’s reception was presented on Nov. 21 at the Carriage House on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

It is also an opportunity for this reporter to pose a question those officials attending to try to gain a consensus on an issue. This year with the news fresh of the compromise education funding bill, the question asked of the elected officials was: “Are you pleased with the compromise education bill and do you believe Gov. Charlie Baker will sign it?”

As reported by Katie Lannan and Michael P. Norton for the State House News Service, “House Education Committee Chair Rep. Alice Peisch said the bill is ‘very consistent’ with a bill that emerged from that committee and served as the basis for the House and Senate bills that were in conference committee.

“A compromise on language intended to ensure that $1.5 billion in planned new education investments produce results ‘strikes the right balance’ between district decision-making and state oversight,” Peisch said.

State Sen. Donald Humason, who will be resigning from the Senate to assume the role of mayor of Westfield, said he believes Baker will approve the bill and added, “I’m as satisfied as I could be.” He added that Westfield will not benefit from the funding bill as much as other school districts but that “every district will benefit.”

He said the funding formula needed to be updated.

State Rep. Carolos Gonzalez said he, too, believes the governor will sign the bill. “I’m extremely satisfied with the work done. Cities like Springfield are going to see $232 million over the next five years. I’ll be happier when I start seeing results.”

State Rep. Joseph Wagner said, he was “thrilled” about the legislation and said he, too, believes Baker will approve it.

He and the other members of the legislature that serve Chicopee sent a letter to Mayor Richard Kos and the School Committee about the bill. It read in part, “S.2412, An Act relative to educational opportunity for students, invests $1.5 billion into Massachusetts public schools, providing built-in, annual funding increases for school districts across the Commonwealth. Based on the bill’s framework, Chicopee’s educational budget can anticipate an additional $35 million in Chapter 70 funds over the course of the seven year phase-in period, when compared to current funding levels. The policy updates in this legislation, coupled with annual increases in funding, will allow Chicopee Public Schools to better serve our students and implement programs that will enable students to receive the highest quality of education possible.”

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo called the legislation “a really good bill” and he sees the $1.5 billion in funding as providing as an investment for the Commonwealth.

“I’m happy with it,” he added. He agreed that Baker would sign it.

State Rep. Nick Boldyga admitted he was “not happy” with the bill because it will not provide the schools in his district with enough funding. He added the bill would make some positive changes, but would not supply suburban communities with as much funding as urban school districts.

When asked the question, State Rep. Aaron Vega, replied with a smile, “Yes, and yes.” He believes the unanimous votes in the Legislature for the bill should prevent a possible veto by Baker. He believes the General Court would reject any changes Baker may suggest for the bill.

Vega readily admitted the bill does not solve all of the funding issues that are facing schools. “There are still other things to fix,” he noted.