The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
State House Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR
KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 11, 2003 CONTACT:
Shawn Feddeman
(617) 727-2759
LOCAL OFFICIALS JOIN ROMNEY, HEALEY TO PLEDGE COOPERATION
Support principle of shared sacrifice to avoid disproportionate cuts to poor and needy
Mayors, selectmen and other municipal officials today joined Governor Mitt Romney and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey to pledge their cooperation in addressing the state’s financial crisis.
While he does not look forward to a reduction in local aid, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella said he and other local officials support the principle of shared sacrifice that Romney outlined the previous day to a meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
“These are not easy times, and it requires all of us to make sacrifices – at every level of government,” said Mazzarella.
Newburyport Mayor Alan Lavender said he looks forward to working with the lieutenant governor on a package of changes that will make it easier for cities and towns to manage their own budgets during this period of financial emergency.
“If we step up as community and government leaders to help the Commonwealth through this crisis, then we need the tools to do our job,” said Lavender. “Artificial limitations and mandates that prevent us from getting full value for every dollar should be removed.”
Romney called for fast action on his legislation to expand his powers to reduce spending, warning that a delay will necessitate deeper cuts later.
The proposed legislation would permit the Governor to review local aid and higher education accounts in addressing deficiencies in revenue for the current fiscal year. Those accounts are currently beyond the reach of Romney’s so-called “9C authority” to reduce spending.
According to Romney, his current “9C authority” would force disproportionate cuts on the elderly, poor and disabled, which comprise the bulk of the areas of the budget subject to unilateral spending cuts.
Depending on how revenues come in for the remainder of the fiscal 2003 year, Romney estimated the budget gap at $450 million to $600 million.
“For those of us in elective office, we are sometimes required to put the good of the whole above the good of any individual city, town or special interest group,” said Romney.
“By sharing in the burden, our local leaders are demonstrating they support the principle of fairness and that they recognize a true partnership means sharing in good times and bad,” said Romney.
Fitchburg Mayor Dan Mylott said: “Local aid is one of the largest areas of the budget. While these dollars are critical to providing local services, I think it’s fair for the Governor to review them as he looks to bring the state budget into balance.”
Added Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos: “The state is our partner, so the financial problems facing the state are essentially our problems, too. We all need to be part of the solution.”
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