Rep. Jeff Perry in His Own Words

Rep. Perry outlines missed opportunities by Legislature

Boston- Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) voted against the State Budget last week stating that, "Our solution to the fiscal crisis is to increase taxes on sales, meals, telecommunications, alcohol, satellite television, hotel stays, nursing home residents and fees at the Registry. This is very disappointing.  Families are struggling to make ends meet, and if our Democratic counterparts in the House think raising every tax under the sun is going to make the lives of those families better, they are sadly mistaken."

In response to the rhetoric offered by some who supported the tax increases, Representative Perry offers a summary of several of the ideas which were rejected by the Legislature, who in the alternative, decided to raise over $1 billion dollars in new taxes.

Below is a summary of missed reform opportunities by the Majority Party:

Prohibit Benefits for Illegal Immigrants - This would have established a system of comprehensive regulations restricting public benefits for non-residents of the Commonwealth.  Mirrored after legislation which passed in both Colorado and Georgia, this measure would have ensured that taxpayer funded benefits go only to those that are eligible to receive them. The Amendment to the 2010 State Budget would demand that anyone attempting to receive taxpayer funded public benefits must first be verified by the Federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement program "SAVE."  Estimated savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Repeal the Pacheco Law - Since this anti-privatization measure was approved during the Weld Administration, the state has lost out on the opportunity to save hundreds of millions of dollars through the outsourcing of certain government programs and services. The law has effectively stifled state privatization efforts by keeping most work in-house, even when a private company could potentially deliver the same services more efficiently and at less cost.  Estimated savings range from $150 million-$300 million.

Implement a statewide wage and hiring freeze for non-essential government employees - Given the uncertainty of the economy and the reality of multi-billion dollar budget deficits, the Commonwealth is in no position to be hiring more people and granting pay raises.  This amendment imposes a one-year moratorium on new government hires and wage increases for the duration of Fiscal Year 2010.  Only vacancies deemed to be critical to public safety would be filled, with the prior approval of the Secretary of Administration and Finance.  Estimated savings approximately $100 million.

Require Medicaid to enroll all participants in managed care plans - Currently, only 35 percent of MassHealth recipients are members of a Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MMCO), which provide incentives for managing illnesses before they become more acute or expensive to treat.  This amendment would require all MassHealth participants to enroll in managed care plans, which have been proven to cost less while delivering superior health care.  Projects savings exceed $150 million.

Streamline the process for the sale of surplus land/allow private sponsorship of state facilities and assets - Streamlining the process for selling surplus state property by eliminating the need for legislative approval would ensure a faster, more efficient process for raising funds from unused and underutilized assets.  In addition, allowing private sponsorship of state facilities and assets presents another potentially lucrative opportunity to raise additional funding to pay for essential state programs and services. Estimated savings are over $30 million.

Other amendments included in the Republican Caucus filed and were rejected include:

• Repeal the "biotech bailout" Life Sciences Bill ($100 million)
• Eliminate the Lottery advertising account ($2 million)
• Reduce prescription medication waste ($75 million)
• Require agency reports to be distributed electronically ($10 million)

"I am disappointed to say the least. This budget is one of taxes, not one of reform" added Representative Perry.