Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that happen to a man. - Leon Trotsky

"I was always taught to respect my elders and I've now reached the age when I don't have anybody to respect." - George Burns

"Each of you, as citizens, will have a critical role to play in the revitalization of our state. Our communities and our neighborhoods must become active again, working in partnership with government to maintain critical services for those most in need - children, the poor, the sick, the elderly and the disabled," Healey said.

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.

“While the law protects gas and electric heat customers with financial hardships from service shut-off during the heating season, oil, propane and kerosene users have no such protection,” said Romney. “These badly needed emergency funds will directly assist low-income families, the elderly and disabled to cope with this very cold winter and increased home heating costs.”

Said Kriss: “There is no reduction for homeless shelters, for Chapter 70 state aid to local schools, in welfare and veterans benefits, or for emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children. There is no DSS or DYS cut impacting at-risk populations. No direct care workers are eliminated. There is no layoff of public safety personnel.”

“We will continue to be a generous state when it comes to caring for the poor, the disabled and the elderly. We will be far less generous when it comes to patronage, waste and inefficiencies,” said Romney.

Romney signed the bill at the Providence House in Brighton, which will become a 102-unit assisted living complex for the elderly. Adjacent to the Providence House will be the rehabilitated Seton Manor, an existing 20-unit building that houses people with HIV/AIDS.

Founded in Cambridge in 1974 by Dr. Andrew Dibner, Lifeline Systems provides communications equipment and personal response services to its subscribers, primarily the home elderly and disabled.