Representative Perry's Column on the State Budget and efforts to return the $450M to cities and towns

Annual Budget Dance, By State Representative Jeff Perry (R-Sandwich)

It is that time of year again. The Massachusetts Legislature is about to begin our annual budget debate on Beacon Hill. While Governor Patrick and several left- leaning legislators have attempted to allege that the State is facing a $1.3 billion deficit, just like all numbers and statistics, the devil is in the facts and details.

The fact is that the State budget has never been larger and is full of earmarks and special interest spending. The fact is that the State has never collected more revenue than in the current fiscal year. The fact is that the State has over $2.2 billion in our "Rainy Day" account. The fact is that the State is sitting on $450 million that was withheld from local cities and towns via a cap on lottery revenue distributions.

With all the cash floating around the State bank accounts and a record high level of revenue receipts, State budget leaders should be willing to let at least one year pass without talking about possible tax increases or spending cuts to social service programs. One could also believe it might just be time for my fellow legislators to honor the will of the voters and roll back the State's income tax level to 5%.

While we have a long way to go in this budget season, early indications are pointing to Governor Patrick and some legislators pushing for increased taxes on local businesses and another year without meaningful increases in local aid. The campaign promises made by Governor Patrick for local property tax relief, one-thousand more police officers on the streets and reforming State government have seemingly been forgotten.

Before we get into the Fiscal Year '09 budget debate, for my part, along with all the members of the Republican Caucus, we have filed a bill, known as HD4651. Our proposal would return over $450 million in local aid to Massachusetts cities and towns. If approved. Barnstable would receive $1,259,917; Bourne would receive $708, 379; Mashpee would get $220,375; and Sandwich would receive $632,575. This would be a one time payment to local communities that selectmen and councilors could use for capital projects or other needed projects.

This money is due to cities and towns because the State diverted $450 million away from them over the past several years through a cap on Lottery aid, money that communities use to pay for police, schools, senior citizen centers and other essential local services. After all, the State made a promise to lottery players and local communities that 100% of the net lottery revenue would be sent back to cities and towns and that promise, like so many others in government today, was broken by the elected officials who are supposed to be the defenders of the people.

From my point of view, it is pretty simple, the State wrongfully withheld $450 million from local communities and it is only fair to give it back as the State is flush with surplus revenue and continues to spend more and more each and every year.

For my part, I will continue to make it my highest priority to increase local aid support from the State and decrease the growing burden on high property taxes. Perhaps one day soon, the Majority Party will be agreeable to using at least a portion of our $2.2 billion surplus funds towards these goals instead of retaining the money at the State for more ill conceived State spending. At the very least, my colleagues in the Legislature should honor their promise and return the $450 million to our local communities. I am 100% confident that it is needed and will be well spent.

As always, I welcome your comments on this column and please feel free to contact me should I ever be able to assist you. I can be reached at 508-888-2158, or via my website atwww.electjeffperry.com

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