DeLeo Confident of Veto Overrides
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| House Ways and Means Chairman Robert A. DeLeo |
"It's a good budget. I feel good about it," said House Ways and Means Chairman Robert A. DeLeo on Saturday about the state's $28.1 billion fiscal 2009 spending plan. "It will be my advice to the speaker that we override those vetoes."
He was confident that most of the cuts would be restored. Last year, the House easily overrode $37 million of Patrick's $41 million in vetoes.
The Winthrop Democrat was in the Berkshires on Saturday as a guest of Rep. Denis E. Guyer, D-Dalton. He was given a tour of Crane & Co. and spent the afternoon at a picnic hosted by Guyer.
DeLeo said he was aware of the importance of the Berkshire earmarks cut or reduced in the budget by Patrick. His trip west, he said, "gives me a better perspective of what it's all about."
Patrick defended the vetoes — three times the amount of last year's — as vital to the fiscal stability of the state. He's also asked for "9C" powers that would give him greater flexibility to reduce spending if revenues fall later in the fiscal year.
DeLeo said it wasn't likely the governor would get those powers.
"I don't believe that we're going to be doing that. I think we're going to be doing a little 'wait and see,'" he said. There is concern about dips in the revenue stream but he described the current situation as "about at benchmark."
Among the local cultural and economic earmarks cut were funding for the Berkshire Museum, North Adams Armory and the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Left untouched was spending for Tanglewood, the summer home of the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, which has lead to speculation whether the governor is playing favorites.
"I don't view it as liking one over the other," Guyer was quick to say. "I think the administration may think there's a better funding mechanism."
Choosing his words carefully, DeLeo said he understood the governor's concern over the economy and that the Bay State had, so far, been somewhat more insulated than other parts of the nation to the financial turmoil affecting banking, energy and the stock market.
"I think we're all concerned," he said. "I think we'll make some cuts as well."
But, he continued, "if we don't make those types of investments in the Berkshires or other parts of the state ... this area in particular will be hurting dramatically."
He pointed to the $2.5 million toward the Windsor Dam in Dalton as an indicator that the House leadership listens to the Berkshire delegation — as much as it does other lawmakers. "Rep. Guyer made the case" for the dam and funding for Jacob's Pillow, he said.
The people representing the towns and cities have a better handle on what's needed in their districts, said DeLeo, adding that the members of the Berkshire delegation are convincing — and often work in concert — to get what their constituents need.
He stress that earmarks tend to get more attention in the press yet they make up less than one-half of 1 percent of the state budget. "I look at this as another form of local aid to bring back to the districts."
DeLeo was appointed to the powerful House post in 2005, during the leadership shake-up following the departure of Speaker Thomas Finneran. According to reports, DeLeo now is positioning himself to step into the top spot in the House now occupied by the man who appointed him — Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.
DeLeo and House Majority Leader John H. Rogers have been jockeying for support among the House membership. DiMasi, meanwhile, insists that he won't be leaving the post he's held for nearly four years.
DeLeo said DiMasi is still the speaker and has his full support. However, DeLeo added, in terms of the support he's received both on the budget and personally ...
"Let's say I'm very comfortable on who may succeed the speaker next."
