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Murray visits to discuss budget issues

"There is a cost for inaction," Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said on his visit to Springfield, referring to a number of initiatives that the House never discussed. Murray also discussed Gov. Deval Patrick's inclusion of casino revenue in the state's budget. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said the budget proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick addresses the projected $1 billion-plus shortfall, but if the members of the Legislature have a better idea, they'd like to discuss it.

Murray was in Springfield on Thursday afternoon just hours before Patrick was to deliver his state of the state address.

A key phrase Murray used throughout the press conference was "no new broad-based taxes."

Patrick's budget inspired some questions when it was announced because it has projected revenue from the sale of casino licenses. The casino issue hasn't even had hearings in the Legislature.

The inclusion is a tactic to try to move the casino debate along, Murray explained. He added that the pace of the legislative process under House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has frustrated Patrick and him.

Murray predicted that if DiMasi allowed debate, casinos would become legal in the state.

He explained the $800 million in the budget raised from the sale of casino licenses was based on the sale of licenses in Pennsylvania. Murray said that within six months of passing casino legislation there, the state received hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

"This is doable. This is real," he said.

The $800 million in the budget from the proposed fees would go toward closing the budget deficit hole, property tax relief and transportation and infrastructure improvements.

Murray said the Patrick-Murray administration inherited $14 to $19 billion in deferred maintenance to the state's infrastructure.

Besides the money from casino licenses, Murray said the budget closes the deficit gap by finding $450 million in cuts and cost efficiencies, eliminating earmarks and closing $297 million in loopholes.

Western Massachusetts would see a six percent increase in school funding and continued levels of local aid, he said.

He said that he and Patrick understand the final budget will be a collaboration between the executive branch and the Legislature, and that if the House leadership is opposed to parts of the budget that they will make counter proposals.

"If people are opposed to it [the budget], what's the alternative?" he asked.

He noted the frustration he and Patrick have felt in sending bills to the House that are never debated. Measures such as the telecommunications acts that would give cities and towns rental money for utility poles; a local option to impose a hotel and meal tax; and a broadband initiative to help smaller communities have all been buried.

"There is a cost for inaction," Murray said.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has discussed developing a casino and Murray said, "If we do nothing we could have gaming in Massachusetts with the state gaining nothing."