Jones: Initial Response to Governor’s FY11 Budget

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement as an initial response to Governor Patrick’s FY11 budget.

Governor Patrick’s talking point du jour is that he and his administration have now delivered four budgets that are “balanced, responsible and on time.” Though I have not had the opportunity to read his latest budget in its entirety, I have read enough to know that while it may have been delivered on time, it is certainly not balanced or responsible.

It’s amazing that in a time of economic despair, Governor Patrick would think it is appropriate to actually increase the level of spending. This budget is up more than 3% from last year’s budget and not surprisingly includes yet another tax hike.

While Governor Patrick is trying to sell himself as the “local aid” candidate, anyone who’s been watching the Governor since he assumed office knows that this is just an election year ploy. He’s never been concerned about local aid in the past - one has to ask why the sudden interest.