Patrick calls 18-month legislative session productive
Cites initiatives on the economy, environment
Governor Deval Patrick hailed a series of clean energy initiatives and economic investments yesterday as he deemed the 18-month legislative session "one of the most productive in a long, long time."
Standing in front of posterboard signs that said "Clean Energy Leader," "Growing the Economy," and "Engaged Governing," Patrick spouted off a list of accomplishments including a $1 billion package to bolster the state's life-sciences industry, laws that promote environmental policies and combat global warming, and the preservation of the legality of same-sex marriage.
"It was still, by any measure, an extraordinarily productive session," he said at a news conference packed with administration officials and Cabinet members.
Patrick said the major disappointment of the session was what he called the failure of lawmakers to pass his property tax relief initiatives, an issue that played a significant role in his campaign two years ago. The governor blamed the Legislature for not endorsing a string of his proposals that could have lowered property taxes, including licensing three resort casinos and allowing communities to raise local meals and hotel taxes.
"A lot of people know I don't get to do that all by myself. I put four ideas before the Legislature. . . . None of those has been enacted," Patrick said. "Meanwhile, the pressure on the property taxes has continued, and I think people want to see some results. And, frankly, if someone has a better idea, let's hear it."
When asked four times about his casino proposal - which was quashed in March by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi - Patrick said, "Really? That's all you guys want to talk about?"
When asked whether he would re-file his casino legislation next session - an initiative that could provide funding for several costly initiatives - Patrick said, "We'll see."
"It's hard; it's not simple," he added. "It was hard for me. I'm not that interested in gambling, per se. It was the jobs and revenue that I cared about. It's what I still care about."
After the press conference, the governor's chief gaming adviser said no decision on casinos has been made.
"There has been no decision - and, really, no discussion - on what initiative the governor might follow," said Daniel O'Connell, secretary of housing and economic development.
Patrick appeared to spend much of the legislative session frustrated with the pace of action by lawmakers. In his State of the State address in January, he railed against "the cost of inaction," which became a theme for Patrick this year as he tried to nudge lawmakers along.
Yesterday, Patrick said part of his frustration came from how Beacon Hill business is conducted, with a frenzy of late-night horse-trading at the end of the session.
"It's a little surprising to me to see how much of the business of the Legislature is done like almost every other human institution I know anything about, where it waits till the end, and then there's a flurry to get it all done," he said.
Hanging over the heads of state lawmakers is a November ballot question that would eliminate the state's 5.3 percent income tax, costing the state about $12 billion in annual revenue.
The Wall Street Journal weighed in yesterday with an editorial backing the repeal, which would destroy many of Patrick's spending plans.
"Nobody likes paying taxes, nobody," Patrick said. "But I do think there's a price for civilization."
Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com. 