Patrick Administration Sets Public Forums in Berkshires
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| Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian will host a public forum in Pittsfield. |
Gov. Deval Patrick and senior officials in the administration will host the public meetings as a way to give residents a chance to voice their opinions about the proposals being debated on Beacon Hill, allowing them to offer suggestions and ask questions.
"As a steep decline in revenue continues to force painful budget choices, now is the time for public officials to engage with the public we serve – to ask them what kind of government they want and how to best pay for it," said Patrick in a statement. "These forums will help us accomplish that critical goal, and bring the reform people want back to Beacon Hill."
 Labor Secretary Suzanne Bump will be in Williamstown on Friday. |
The governor pledged to veto the 25 percent increase in the sales tax that was approved by the House of Representatives unless the Legislature approves comprehensive reform proposals to streamline the state's transportation bureaucracy, close pension loopholes and strengthen ethics rules.
The state has seen an unprecedented drop-off in tax revenues, including a nearly $1 billion decrease in April. The governor has already cut $1.3 billion from this year's budget and last week announced that the fiscal 2009 deficit may grow by $1 billion more to a total $4 billion before it ends in June.
He has proposed targeted tax increases dedicated to specific needs: a gas tax to pay for better roads and bridges, local option taxes to take the pressure off the property tax and removing the sales tax exemption from candy, soda and alcohol to help pay for public health programs.
House leaders have rejected the proposed gas and candy taxes; they've been cool to a local tax options on meals and hotels, although the Massachusetts Municipal Association supports the proposal.
For a full list of meetings, click here.
