State Representative Simon Cataldo told the Acton Select Board and Finance Committee that fiscal pressures are squeezing municipalities and that his office is working on several priorities important to Acton, including state aid increases, transportation funding and local transparency measures.

Cataldo said unrestricted general aid rose 4.62% for fiscal year 2025 and that Acton will receive about $1.72 million in unrestricted general aid for FY25. He highlighted a historic increase in Chapter 70 school funding for minimum-aid communities and said he will continue to press for higher per-pupil support.

On transportation, Cataldo said the House leadership plans to dedicate a substantial portion of the Fair Share funds to the MBTA and signaled that commuter-rail frequency and service on the Fitchburg line and South Acton stops are priorities. "I wanna hear from residents about what changes they wanna see based on their commuting experience because that helps me advocate properly," Cataldo said.

Cataldo described his work on local and state projects that affect Acton, including legislation he filed on redevelopment of the MCI Concord site and meetings with state agencies about changes that could improve the rotary near Acton. He also said he would file bills on restoring pay-equity in teachers' retirement (for teachers who worked part time during child-raising years), creating a state Office of Restorative Justice, and a refiled bill addressing undisclosed political spending on town meeting warrant articles. "There's a loophole in the state's... campaign finance laws for town meeting warrant articles," he said, and he plans a statewide bill to add transparency requirements.

Cataldo said Massport modernization, climate and energy siting reforms, maternal and long-term health bills, a significant housing bond and enhanced veterans benefits were among other items passed in the recent session. He said he and other members of the delegation will solicit budget priorities from Acton’s boards and managers ahead of the House budget process.

Cataldo encouraged residents to contact his office with priorities and described upcoming legislative deadlines: he said bill-filing deadlines are mid-January and that he expects committee assignments in February or March. "Please feel free to contact me," he said at the meeting, and provided contact information for his office.