This past weekend, the Globe published an editorial that warned of a $2.5 billion operating shortfall facing the next Governor. Governor Patrick set Massachusetts on a path to financial ruin on his first day in office by reinstating $383 million in spending that the previous Governor had cut. With that action, Patrick set Massachusetts on a path to end FY2007 with a $305 million deficit, instead of a $77 million surplus. Governor Patrick’s first term has been marred by aggressive spending and government expansion all while the state’s self-proclaimed CFO, Treasurer Cahill, has sat idly by. Watch our web ad on the Governor’s spending spree here:
This is why I proposed Baker’s Dozen, 13 reforms to save taxpayers $1 billion. Beacon Hill must be reformed and the current leadership team of Patrick and Cahill lack the political will to make the difficult decisions necessary. Patrick and Cahill have had the last four years to put Massachusetts back on strong financial footing and have failed. Taxpayers can’t afford four more years of the status quo.
To read more about my reform proposals, please click here:
Governor Patrick and Democrats on Beacon Hill have rapidly expanded state government over the last four years, and to fund their reckless spending policies, Patrick and his team have increased taxes and fees by $2 billion. While the majority of families and businesses were coping with less, Patrick approved contracts with eight state unions that granted a 7% pay raise over three years costing the state $370M over three years. This increase is IN ADDITION to the automatic step increases that these employees receive each year on their anniversary dates.
Then there’s the matter of Patrick’s 2006 campaign promise to cut property taxes, on which he’s failed to deliver. Instead, House leadership has proposed raising property taxes by $550 million during the worst economic environment since 1976. This is exactly what happens under one party rule on Beacon Hill. As foreclosures skyrocket and Massachusetts struggles under a fiscal crisis, this tax increase would make homeowners pay more in property taxes while failing to enact much needed government reforms on pensions, local aid funding and healthcare costs.
Under a Baker Administration, this legislation would be dead on arrival.
This is what happens with one party rule on Beacon Hill – there’s no fiscal discipline under Deval Patrick, who aggressively campaigned on a pledge to cut property taxes, but has failed to deliver. Prop 2 ½ passed with overwhelming support and ever since, tax and spend Beacon Hill has been trying to circumvent the will of the people.