Dukakis Suggests More City Funds

Gov. Michael S. Dukakis said last night that $200 million more per year may be allotted to Massachusetts cities if the state legislature approves his current proposal for state aid to cities.

Dukakis told a meeting of the Cambridge Civic Association that 95 per cent of the state's social welfare problems are in its older cities, and said that aid based on objective need criteria would help solve these problems.

Economic Planning

He also advocates more unified economic planning and sharing of growth of some state revenues, such as sales and corporation taxes, with municipalities. He added that his proposal could result in a $1.4 million increase in state aid to Cambridge.

Dukakis also discussed the need for the state to absorb the costs of the county court systems. He said if his proposal is adopted, the state could stop reviewing county budgets and turn the task over to local advisory boards.

Repressive Finance

Dukakis said most of the state's recent economic problems are "of its own making," but also blamed a federal requirement that states balance their budgets every year. The rule keeps states from helping their citizens in times of recession when they need it most, he said.

In response to a question on condominium conversion, Dukakis said he was in favor of community control of rent and forms of available housing.