Representative Lew Evangelidis Has Decried the State Budget as "Unaffordable and Unsustainable" Since Last Spring

As reported by the Telegram and Gazette, yesterday the Legislature voted to give Governor Deval Patrick authority to cut the state budget and in turn, reduce funds for cities and towns. From before the time the budget was approved, Representative Lew Evangelidis has vocally opposed it, and was quoted in The Landmark, calling it "unaffordable and unsustainable". This idea echoed in the House Chambers yesterday. John Monahan reports in today's Telegram on p. 1 above the fold, "House Republicans argued against the deep cuts to local aid, complaining that the administration and Democrat-controlled Legislature should have begun curbing state spending last spring to avoid such a severe fiscal crisis."

Representative Karyn Polito of Shrewsbury argued that reforming the budget should have been initiated early in Mr. Patrick's term. According to Mr. Monahan's article (p.4) Ms. Polito said, "The governor has been here for two years. Where is the reform? Where is the demonstration that he has wrung out every ineffeciency? Where is the pension reform?" Ms. Polito added that local aid should not be touched.

The vote in the House tallied 131 to 22. Most Republicans voted against giving the governor emergency powers.

Representative Evangelidis issued the following press release detailing his stance on the subject.

EVANGELIDIS OPPOSES LOCAL AID CUTS

Evangelidis said, “Last year I voted against the budget which increased spending by $1.4 billion. It was clear at that time that this budget was unaffordable and unsustainable. I stated at that time that this budget would lead us back next session to make painful retroactive cuts due to our overspending. This is exactly what happened. Although the economic crisis has made a bad situation worse, we could have avoided half these cuts if we had passed a responsible budget last year.

When Governor Patrick signed the budget last July his administration publicly stated that they knew this budget was close to $500 million out of balance, but he vetoed only $120 million in spending. The legislature overrode and spent almost all of those vetoed items. I was one of only a few legislators to support Governor Patrick’s vetoes, even on this minimal amount. Now the legislature has given Governor Patrick the authority to cut local aid to balance our budget. I have always promised my communities that I would prioritize local aid and education funding above all else. For that reason alone I voted against today’s legislation. Especially in light of having a state supported healt h care system that has spun out of control, an unnecessary Governor’s Washington D.C. Office, no pension or transportation reforms, state owned golf courses etc.

Additionally, the Governor did not outline after being requested to do so, what specific cuts he will make with his additional budget cutting authority. In light of all the above, it is completely unacceptable for me to approve any cuts that will affect our communities local services and education.

"Here come the cuts to local aid" by John J. Monahan is on p. 1 in today's Telegram & Gazette.