While the Herald chooses to ignore Jill Stein’s voice on the issues, the Stein campaign calls out the Governor for protecting Raytheon, Fidelity and biotech while slashing critical services left and right:
Stein Decries State Budget As A “Tragedy Of Misplaced Priorities”
by FRIENDS OF JILL STEIN on JULY 1, 2010
BOSTON – Green-Rainbow gubernatorial candidate Jill Stein decried the Massachusetts state budget signed by Governor Patrick yesterday as a ”tragedy of misplaced priorities, declaring that “This budget signifies Beacon Hill’s accelerating abandonment of critical services that people need now more than ever.”
Stein challenged Governor Patrick’s assertions that the painful cuts were unavoidable. “The Governor cannot duck his responsibility for the cuts or for the tax and fee hikes” according to Stein. “These cuts are there because of deliberate decisions made by the Governor and the Democratic Party leadership. They decided to protect powerful special interests and put the burden of balancing the budget on the backs of those least able to defend themselves. ”
“This budget hits struggling education programs with another $180 million in cuts, including cuts to public schools, and higher education – already cut more in Massachusetts than any other state over the past five years. Programs that provide for our elders, at risk youth, the disabled, the mentally ill, disadvantaged children and distressed families are all under attack. State and municipal workers providing essential services are being fired.”
“Incredibly, big tax giveaways to the well-connected continue to enjoy protection. Favored corporations like Raytheon and Fidelity have actually been CUTTING jobs, but continue to receive job creation tax cuts that cost the taxpayers $300 million a year. Movie producers still get $150 million and biotech still gets $25 million. These are just some of the $1.7b in economic development tax expenditures that would be better directed towards local aid, essential services, and tax relief.”
Stein noted that “While increased taxes and fees have been imposed on ordinary working families, Massachusetts corporate income taxes – already second lowest among the New England states – are being lowered by hundreds of millions of dollars. That says who is really important to the leadership on Beacon Hill.”
Stein rejected attempts of the Democratic Party leadership to pin the budget pain on Republicans or on Congress. “This budget is completely under their control. We have to look at how the Democratic leadership is using its virtual monopoly power here in Massachusetts. They are responsible for this devastating budget. That’s why so many people in Massachusetts are hungry for a change on Beacon Hill. They’re looking for some way to end the giveaways and entitlement programs for the wealthy few, redirect spending to town budgets and schools, and begin the transition to the green economy that is essential for our common wealth, our common health, and our common future.”