Closing the state’s $1 billion budget gap will be painful, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said, but he held out hope that the federal government will approve a stimulus package that will help put Bay Staters back to work.
Patrick urged the Democratic-controlled General Court to use the economic crisis as an opportunity to reform government in five areas, including fixing the state's crumbling transportation system and curbing abuses in the state pension system.
In his televised Jan. 15 state of the state address, Patrick told Massachusetts residents not to despair, but warned tough times are ahead. "No one's priorities will be spared," he said. "Local services will be cut, and in many cases, police, firefighters, and teachers will face layoffs."
He said if Congress passes a stimulus package, “we will be ready to get projects underway and put people to work.”
Besides transportation and pension reforms, Patrick called on lawmakers to help cities and towns find new ways to raise money, such as allowing municipalities to impose a meals tax.
Patrick said he would push for a comprehensive anti-crime bill that would help prisoners find work once they are released from prison.
He also urged lawmakers to enact ethics and lobbying reform. Ethics questions have loomed large in the House, which recently re-elected Salvatore F. DiMasi (D) as speaker, who had lost some support among Democrats after a close friend of DiMasi was indicted for campaign finance violations.
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