Economy Sags:  State Revenues Reel:  

 Economists seem unified in their declaration that the U.S. and Massachusetts economies are in recession.  The only disagreements seem to come when questioned how long this downturn will last; how wide and deep will it be.  Consumer confidence has been crushed; business investment is in a tailspin; job layoffs are up; new hires are down.  The economy was already weak before the September 11 attacks but these events have accelerated and deepened the decline.

 The resulting effect on the state budget has been cataclysmic.  State revenues are down dramatically in the first four months of the new fiscal year.  Standard and Poors, one of the three major credit rating agencies that monitors state governments’ finances, lowered its Massachusetts outlook from “positive” to “stable”.  The Administration’s top fiscal chief and legislative budget leaders are making preparations for a $1.5 billion shortfall.  State agencies are bracing for historic cuts in proposed spending yet the proposed budget gap keeps growing.  Although the state’s economy and state budget are in a much healthier condition than the recession a decade ago, the pain and anguish for all citizens in the adjustments to be made are real and somber.  It is most important that government officials take prudent, decisive actions now so that these economic storms can be withstood safely.

Redistricting:

 The House has finalized and passed its redistricting plan which, pending the Governor’s approval, will determine the 160 state representative districts for the next decade.  The size of the districts are determined by the population of the Commonwealth divided by one hundred and sixty.  The total population of Massachusetts, as determined by the 1990 Federal Census, is 6,355,568.  Each house district’s exact population (divide 160 into 6,355,568) is 39,722.  All Marshfield and Scituate presently comprise the 4th Plymouth District.   Population growth, predominantly in Marshfield, over the last ten years results in a combined total population in the two towns of 42,187 (Marshfield 24,324 and Scituate 17,863), which exceeds the legally allowed population limit for districts.  The Redistricting Plan has thus transferred Precinct 3 of Scituate (Minot Area) into the Third Plymouth District (Cohasset, Hull, Hingham).  The Fourth Plymouth District will consist of precincts one, two, four, five and six of Scituate and the Town of Marshfield.

Rt. 3 Repaving/ Breakdown Lane:

 The repaving of Rt. 3 from Weymouth to Duxbury, is substantially complete.
Mass Highway is scheduled to install new turnouts so that motorists will be able to use the breakdown lane during commuting hours from Exit 12 (Marshfield/Pembroke) through Exit 16 (Weymouth).  Previously use of the breakdown lane was authorized only up to Exit 13 (Hanover).  It is expected that the breakdown lane will be open for use in the early Spring.  This expanded usage, although not ideal, will allow for better traffic movement in the additional five mile stretch of roadway and should help alleviate some of the standing traffic backup entering the onramps at Exit 12 north in the morning commuter and at Exit 13 south in the afternoon commuter.

Sentencing Guidelines:

 The House has passed and sent to the Senate a bill which would ensure uniformity in criminal sentencing penalties across the Commonwealth.  The guidelines aim to promote public safety by requiring longer sentences for violent offenders and earlier intervention and control of substance abusers.  The House also this week passed the Senate enacted bill which allows for more severe penalties for certain victims of assault and battery.

Reflection:

 “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
     Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933
 

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