Rep.
Hynes State House Report October, 2004 A New Speaker The mantle of leadership in the House of Representatives has passed this week to a new Speaker. Thomas Finneran, who held the top leadership post since mid 1996, resigned to become the President of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, a trade group representing biotechnology interests in Massachusetts. The second in command to Finneran, Salvatore DiMasi, was elected in a special session of the House, called specifically to fill the vacancy in the office of Speaker. DiMasi’s story is compelling. It is the stuff of the spirit and drive of America. Born in the North End of Boston 59 years ago to the hardworking son and daughter of Italian immigrants, he and two brothers lived with his parents in a four room tenement. The bathroom was down the hall, shared by other families and the shower was the common facilities of the public bath two blocks away. From these modest surroundings, taught to work hard and learn well by his blue collar parents, DiMasi and his brothers each graduated from college and became successful in family and chosen careers. Speaker DiMasi now becomes one of a handful of the top political leaders in the Commonwealth. While all legislators wish Tom Finneran well, some are saddened by his leaving. Most, however, are filled with the hope and promise of new beginnings. The House promises to be a more open and deliberative body under DiMasi with Committees, once again, becoming the primary engine of the Legislature, where public policy matters are discussed and fashioned and individual members are encouraged to imprint initiatives with their creativity, reason, and passion. Already the press is sending mixed expectations about DiMasi. Some project greater conflict between the more progressive new Speaker and the conservative Governor. For all his “political” scapegoating of Finneran as the arrogant tyrant of Beacon Hill, Romney recognized that Finneran’s strong fiscal conservatism was truly a beacon which helped fashion the solution to the most recent fiscal crisis and that of the early ‘90’s. DiMasi, however, who entered the House in 1979 at the same time as Finneran, sat alongside him in the early years and who developed a strong friendship from that early association, is seen as more liberal. His legislative record over the last 26 years shows a greater willingness than Finneran to see Government as an instrument for betterment in the lives of the Commonwealth’s citizens and to finance it. Some members of the Press characterize him as an opportunist and as dismissive of dissent, noting he assisted Finneran in seeking to punish legislators who would not vote their way on certain issues. My own view of DiMasi, with whom I have worked closely on several occasions, is that he is a consensus builder and a pragmatist. He listens well, reflects thoughtfully and questioningly on controversial matters, and seeks to lessen dissension by promoting common themes in opposing views. My experience as a member of the House suggests that as one settles into the job of being Speaker, qualities hereto non visible emerge in that person – some tendencies appropriate and positive; other characteristics less favorable to the interests of the Commonwealth’s citizens. Speaker DiMasi comes to office pledging to be a person of integrity, who will work hard and smartly to make government work for each citizen. If he remains genuinely committed to this pledge he will be embraced not only by his fellow legislators but by residents of Massachusetts. Supplemental Budget: The final appropriations of this past fiscal year were resolved a few weeks ago with the passage of the final deficiency budget. The fiscal year ended in June with a $700 million increase in revenues, about 3% of the overall budget. This unexpected balance was due largely to a most conservative revenue projection entering the fiscal year as well as some modest growth in the economy over the past several months. Half of this year end excess was placed in the Stabilization Fund, a rainy day fund used to establish equilibrium in economic vagaries. $75 million is being provided the state’s 351 cities and towns in one time disbursements to be used as town officials and citizens deem appropriate. Marshfield will receive $192,000 and Scituate $109,000, distributed according to equalization formula codified in the law governing the distribution of monies to cities and towns from the state lottery. Surplus Oxymoron: Using the word “surplus” thus describing the $700 million excess of revenues over expenditures for the fiscal year ending in June is factual and accurate. Yet it is also suggestive of a more robust fiscal health than is the truth. In fact, as suggested above, the “surplus” is achieved because budget writers low balled the expected revenues for the year when preparing the budget. This resulted in reductions in spending for virtually all state agencies and cities and towns and the use of one time revenues to help meet necessary expenses. Over the last three fiscal years hundreds of million of dollars have been cut from both higher education accounts, aid to cities and towns, and health care programs. Additionally, the Stabilization Fund of $2.5 billion has been virtually depleted. This new fiscal year’s budget operating balance was achieved by transferring one time, non recurring revenues of over $800 million. Thus, the recent surplus, while welcome and prudently utilized, is not suggestive of the state’s return to complete and full fiscal health. Reflection: “Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (writer) |