Hargraves takes aim at a taxing situation
Lowell Sun Excerpt
July 13, 2008
BOB HARGRAVES, the usually soft-spoken Republican representative from Groton, stepped into the limelight last week by blasting the Democrat-controlled Legislature and the $28.3 million budget it recently approved.
The spending plan increases spending by 5.3 percent, relying on nearly a half-billion dollars in revenue from the rainy-day fund and another $400 million in new taxes on cigarettes and corporations. The Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, a non-partisan watchdog, issued an "emergency bulletin," saying the budget is at least $1 billion out of balance.
Hargraves, appearing on Thursday night's NewsTalk Live show with Sun Editor Jim Campanini, railed against the 1,500 earmarks and spending amendments that were added to the budget.
"It's no longer tax-and-spend Massachusetts. We've become spend-and-then tax Massachusetts. It's outrageous," said the seven-term legislator.
But before you attribute Hargraves' comments to sourgrapes partisanship, consider this: Even some Democrats are grumbling -- albeit quietly -- that the budget process was uglier this year than in years past.
The reason? The very public battle between Winthrop Rep. Robert DeLeo, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and Norwood Rep. John Rogers, the majority leader, to succeed as speaker if/when Boston Rep. Sal DiMasi steps down under an ethics cloud.
DeLeo, by virtue of his control of the purse strings through Ways and Means, was criticized in some quarters as granting too many pork-barrel requests to garner votes from representatives for speaker. DiMasi initially said he isn't going anywhere. But the tide has seemed to turn from "if" to "when."
INSIDERS SAY Rogers has commitments from 65 Democrats. DeLeo, despite the porkfest, is trailing at 55. That totals 120 House members out of 160.
Oddly enough, the 19 Republicans who are usually ignored in budget deliberations and policy debates could be the kingmakers, along with the remaining 20 fence-straddling Democrats. What deals will they cut?
Gov. Deval Patrick also is expected to play a key role if DiMasi hangs up his tack. The governor suffered a bruising casino-proposal defeat at the hands of the speaker, and would certainly want someone in the big chair who is more receptive to expanded gaming.
While DiMasi has given no signs of an imminent departure, the jockeying for position is fueling wild speculation almost daily.
HARGRAVES' BUDGET salvo drew a spirited response from Groton Democrat Virginia Wood, who is challenging Hargraves in November's election.
"Bob Hargraves´ latest antics in the paper, grandstanding on the state budget, demand a response," Wood said in an e-mail.
Wood saw Hargraves´ comments as a direct attack on Sen. Steven Panagiotakos, Senate Ways and Means Committee chairman, who also represents some of the communities in Hargraves' district.
"Senator Panagiotakos is our greatest ally in serving the needs of these five towns," said Wood, referring to Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell and Townsend. Hargraves, Wood said, comes "out once a year with an inflammatory statement, pointing the finger at everyone else for the state's problems ... and hoping we don't notice that he's been part of the process in the Legislature for the past 14 years.
"The real issue," Wood said, "is what has Bob Hargraves actually done of (sic) us? We are still waiting for the answer to that question."
On NewsTalk Live, Hargraves said Republican lawmakers banded together and refused to submit a single earmark that would increase budget spending.
"We increased health-care spending and education spending, real priorities for Massachusetts. People are struggling to pay their bills, and legislators are adding earmarks that we can't afford with tax money we don't have."
Hargraves said the excessive spending is the result of a Democratic monopoly in all branches of state government.
"In the past, with a Republican governor, there was a negotiation with Democrats. That was the check and balance. It's not happening today."
[The article continues with content unrelated to the foregoing.]
This week's Column was prepared by Sun Editor Jim Campanini, City Editor Christopher Scott, Assistant Lifestyle Editor Kathleen Pierce, Chelmsford reporter Rita Savard, Dracut reporter Dennis Shaughnessey, Billerica reporter Jennifer Myers, Groton reporter Hiroko Sato, reporter Jack Minch in Lowell and Tewksbury reporter Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl.
