THE $28 BILLION budget approved by the Senate Ways and Means Committee is slightly smaller than the versions proposed by Governor Patrick or passed by the House. But it still contains items that reflect outdated policy decisions, special favors to legislators, or pressure from influential groups.
The Chelsea Soldiers' Home, for instance, was established in 1882 to care for Civil War veterans. It was a $26.8 million item in the budget yesterday, accompanied by a $20.3 million appropriation for the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, established in 1952. Aid to veterans is now mainly a federal responsibility. Those already living in the homes should stay where they are, but over the long term the state doesn't need this costly real estate.
And should the state be in the zoo business, to the tune of $7.1 million? The Legislature has been trying to wean the zoos at Franklin Park and in Stoneham from the budget for years. It's hard to let go, but the state could find better use for the money.
And then there's the goody-bag tourism fund, which is $19.2 million in the Senate budget, compared with $34.2 million in the House version (with 40 senators compared to 160 representatives, fewer districts need to be satisfied). But $100,000 would go to Battleship Cove in Fall River and $50,000 to Plimoth Plantation, among others. These are prime tourist attractions, but the state doesn't have the money to prop up these and others throughout Massachusetts.
The Ways and Means budget includes $25 million to encourage the rollout of a computerized medical records system. It is important to modernize medical care, and Senate President Therese Murray deserves great credit for making sure it was included. Because the House did not provide the money, its fate will be decided in a conference committee. Special interest items should be excised to make sure this one remains.
Retired teachers visited the State House this week to encourage the committee to accept a House proposal that would raise state pensions by a modest $120 a year. But the proposal would provide another $120 increase each year on top of the first one, in perpetuity. This plan would lengthen the time it takes to fully fund the state pension system from 2023 to 2026. A thorough study is needed to determine whether the state can afford it. The proposal should not be included in this year's budget.
This budget is tight, a fact acknowledged by the Ways and Means decision to dip into the emergency stabilization fund. Ridding the budget of archaic and extraneous items would leave more money for healthcare, education, local aid, and the other essential tasks of state government.
