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Aren't liberals wonderful with their consistency? Really have firm
standards and beliefs there. Globe editorial
GOVERNOR PATRICK probably could have used more tact in issuing his surprise threat to veto the sales tax increase House members were voting on Monday. But he is right on the substance and the politics. Voters are too worried about their jobs and futures, and too furious about the ceaseless evidence of self-dealing on Beacon Hill, to willingly pay more taxes if they think it is just going to fund the same old corrupt game.
"We had better have a record of change that we can show the public," Patrick said in an interview yesterday. "Otherwise there will be political consequences, and there should be political consequences." If Patrick sounds a bit angry, he has reason. Legislative leaders talk about "reform before revenue," but bills to close loopholes and toughen fines are stalled in committee. The House claims to have "done" pension reform, but its version of the bill protects the status quo for everyone currently employed. The Senate hasn't even taken up an ethics bill that raises criminal penalties for bribery - legislation galvanized by the alleged actions of one of its own former members, Dianne Wilkerson. The bills to fix the state pension, ethics, and transportation systems that Patrick wants to see passed before he will entertain a sales tax hike are not just some dry "reform." They include provisions that would stop dead many of the practices that have properly enraged voters - for example, the absurd rule that allows MBTA workers to retire after 23 years with their full pensions, regardless of age. House Speaker Robert DeLeo is also right that vulnerable people will be harmed by a $3.6 billion revenue shortfall without new taxes. And a sales tax increase that could generate $900 million has much to recommend it. But there is evidence that legislators still don't get the public's mood. The House yesterday began adding back in to its budget programs and services that the 1.25-cent sales tax increase could cover. But along with critical programs, such as local aid, emergency rent subsidies, or drug and alcohol treatment, House members were planning to add $50 million to the so-called Quinn bill, which gives salary premiums to police officers who get criminal justice degrees, and to increase the share of healthcare premiums for state workers from 70 percent to the status-quo 80 percent. We
hope Patrick shows more of his campaign-era fire and can reengage the
many disappointed residents who hoped for change when they voted for
him. Like him, we believe that government can be a beneficial force in
people's lives. Its mission is too important - to the struggling mother
with a disabled child, to the striving first-generation college student
- to let it be discredited by a few grasping special interests and a
complacent legislature. © Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
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Meanwhile, Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Murray are shrinking, fast. I don't get it: why is the legislature avoiding transportation reform, ethics reform, pension reform, and fixing transportation financing? Time for them to act like grownups, and start doing what's right for the whole state, instead of just them and their buddies.
Let me help: The reason they only do what's right for "them and their buddies" is because they face zero risk of defeat at election time. Membership in the Great and General Court is at risk only if you annoy the leadership of the democratic party (just like membership in the Supreme Soviet). As long as the people are not a threat to your job or, more importantly, to its rewards, change can never come.