Local Issues

Governor Mitt Romney and Local Issues Quotes

• "I do not believe the best way to find solutions to our fiscal problems is to sit on Beacon Hill and simply issue directives and orders to our cities and towns. Instead, I believe we must come together to find the least painful path through this crisis," said Romney.
• "We must have the cities and towns at the table as we craft our answer to the budgetary challenges that confront us so that the solutions we propose do not unfairly target health and human service programs," he said.
• When faced with a State budget gap, he worked with the cities. He said; ""We view this moment of economic crisis as an opportunity to remove some of the financial and bureaucratic burdens the state has saddled local government with over the years," she added."
• “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." Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 01-11-2003 Press Release
• “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. Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 01-11-2003 Press Release
• "In addition to the company's growth and success over the last several years, Eastern Fisheries has distinguished itself through a consistent track record of community outreach and charitable giving," said Romney. "Eastern is a true hometown business, with roughly 80 percent of the company's employees living in the city of New Bedford." Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 12- 05-2003 Press Release
• “Many of the projects funded this year are concentrated in urban areas and they are consistent with our ‘Fix It First’ strategy of maintaining existing infrastructure over new development,” said Governor Mitt Romney. “This investment in these facilities is critical for the protection of our environment and our public health.” Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 03-24-2004 Press Release
• “Over the past two years, the Commonwealth has partnered with our cities and towns to manage through some difficult times,” Romney said. “Now, times are better and the state is once again in a position to send more money back to our cities and towns.” Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 01-07-2005 Press Release
• “These awards are a substantial investment in existing facilities and systems which are a critical component for the protection of the environment and the public health,” said Governor Mitt Romney. “The funded projects prevent water pollution and help rehabilitate current infrastructure so that communities may plan for the future.” Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 03-14- 2005 Press Release
• “Permitting can take up to five years to complete, making it extremely difficult for businesses here to expand and add jobs,” said Romney. “If we’re serious about encouraging business investment and expansion, we have to take a chainsaw to the red tape that ties up the process for years and years.” Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 06-16-2005 Press Release
• “We owe a debt of thanks to our cities and towns that shared in the sacrifice as we succeeded in getting the state back on its feet again. It's been a long road back, but we are once more in a position to share our growth revenues with local communities,” said Romney. Governor Mitt Romney. Source: 01-13-2006 Press Release

Governor Mitt Romney and Local Issues Press Releases

2003

• 01-11-2003; local officials join Governor Mitt Romney; Healey to pledge cooperation; Support principle of shared sacrifice to avoid disproportionate cuts to poor and needy
• 01-30-2003; Governor Mitt Romney administration reaches out to local communities; Municipal relief package gives cities and towns more flexibility
• 12- 05-2003 ROMNEY HONORS EASTERN FISHERIES WITH INNER CITY AWARD

2004

• 03-24-2004; Governor Mitt Romney administration awards $458m in low-interest loans for 85 local water and sewer projects

2005

• 01-07-2005; Governor Mitt Romney pledges 4.3 percent boost in local aid over last year
• 03-14- 2005; state awards more than $519 million in low-interest loans for 92 local water and sewer projects
• 06-16-2005; Governor Mitt Romney files bill to expedite local permitting

2006

• 01-13-2006; Governor Mitt Romney announces a nearly $200 million increase in local aid
• 07-07-2006; Healey announces local aid for cities and towns

Mitt Romney worked well with City and county leaders.

Reasons to agree:

1. "I do not believe the best way to find solutions to our fiscal problems is to sit on Beacon Hill and simply issue directives and orders to our cities and towns. Instead, I believe we must come together to find the least painful path through this crisis," said Romney.
2. "We must have the cities and towns at the table as we craft our answer to the budgetary challenges that confront us so that the solutions we propose do not unfairly target health and human service programs," he said.
3. When faced with a State budget gap, he worked with the cities. He said; ""We view this moment of economic crisis as an opportunity to remove some of the financial and bureaucratic burdens the state has saddled local government with over the years," she added."

• Personal Government 02-13-05

Also See:

1. Inner City