Funding veto prompts call for more stable state aid for local development

In the wake of Governor Deval Patrick's recently veto of a $75,000 state budget earmark to fund economic development groups Marlborough 2010 Corporation Executive Director John Riordan said he is seeking a more permanent state funding mechanism for quasi-public organizations that promote growth.

Riordan said that while he was thankful that the legislature has helped fund Marlborough 2010 in the past, he said it would be better if the corporation's funding was secured as a recurring line item rather than an earmark that can be caught up in Statehouse political wrangling.

The earmark vetoed by Patrick represents about was one-third of the corporation's annual budget, Riordan said.

-- John Dyer