Drip, drip, drip, drip…..
The story that will never go away. The gazebo story!
Communities weigh toll of Romney cuts
‘Pork’ targeted, but some officials say the timing smells of politicsBy Matt Carroll
November 23, 2006
Two weeks after Governor Mitt Romney sent financial shock waves across the state by striking down $425 million in spending, communities and organizations south of Boston are struggling to come to grips with the cuts.
Romney took particular aim at what are known as earmarks, or money set aside by legislators for local projects, criticizing them as “pork.”
Among the casualties was $5 million slated for downtown improvements in Quincy, and $100,000 for a gazebo in Braintree. Programs affecting the elderly were hit as well, and Bridgewater State College lost nearly $1 million. All told, 455 budget items were cut.
While some losses have been spelled out, the total impact on the region’s communities is unclear because many of the cuts affect statewide programs. Also, officials complained that state officials have been slow to make clear what programs have been reduced or eliminated.
The cuts have triggered deep anger among some local officials, who fault Romney for slicing the budget halfway through the fiscal year, when plans had already been made to spend the money. Some complained that the cuts were purely political.
“At least they could give us a little money for crying towels,” he said.
Felix Browne, a spokesman for the governor, defended the cuts, saying Romney acted because it was unwise for the Legislature to take money from the state’s “rainy day” account, hurting the long-term health of the state’s finances.
Romney’s cuts amounted to 1.7 percent of the state’s $25.7 billion budget.
Browne denied the move was designed to buff Romney’s presidential aspirations.
“Are some of these projects good projects?” asked Browne. “They might be…. The governor is not opposed to Victorian lighting or gazebos. But he doesn’t feel the state should dip into the rainy day fund to fund ‘nice to have’ items,’ ” at the expense of necessary items.
Braintree lost $595,000 in funding that would have gone to relieve flooding in the Bestick Road area, capital outlays for the police and fire departments, and the gazebo.
From our own Bob Neer
What we need is less pork (0.00 / 0)
Why should the state pay for a gazebo in Braintree?BMG: Reality-based commentary.
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by: Bob Neer @ Thu Dec 28, 2006 at 00:20:10 AM EST
