Walsh to take lower salary; Patrick vows review of authority executive pay
By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff
State Senator Marian Walsh is asking a state authority to reduce her planned salary from $175,000 to $120,000, a move that aides to Governor Deval Patrick hope will quell the public outrage over her appointment.
 Senator Marian Walsh |
The reduced salary reflects the findings of a search firm that was used to determine the appropriate pay for Walsh in her position as assistant executive director of the Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority.
A senior administration source insisted that Walsh made her own decision, without any pressure from the governor, to seek a reduction in her salary. Her pay will still be far above the $76,440 that the 54-year old lawmaker now makes as the Senate's majority whip.
''I've been thinking about it for days,'' Walsh said. ''If it created such anxiety and disturbance, I can say no thank you to the $175,000." She insisted that a hefty salary was not her motivation for taking the job. ''My career has never been about the amount of money I make,'' she said.
Patrick, meanwhile, announced this this afternoon that he is asking for a 90-day public review of the salaries and benefits paid senior managers at state authorities. The administration source said Patrick feels that, given the significant downturn in the economy and the cuts in state spending, current salary levels are not appropriate.
The decision by the board of the Health and Education Facilities Authority nearly two weeks ago to appoint Walsh, a West Roxbury Democrat, had ignited a public outcry. The position had not been advertised, no search firm had been hired to compile a list of candidates, and the job had not been filled in more than a dozen years. It was also not listed on an agenda for the March meeting when it was unanimously approved. Walsh was also hired as state agencies are being forced to lay off workers because of the state's fiscal crisis.
One board member, Marvin Gordon, a Republican appointee who has been sharply critical of Patrick's move, has vowed to force the board to take a vote on the appointment at its next meeting. Gordon, the board's vice chairman, was on vacation and could not attend the March 12 meeting. He has charged that Walsh's appointment was rammed through and is a violation of the legislative intent to keep public authorities insulated from political pressures.
"I think that filling a $175,000 job as a political reward, for this governor, who I expected a lot more from, is unconscionable," Gordon told the Associated Press.
The Massachusetts Republican party immediately derided the salary cut for Walsh.
"Does Governor Patrick think that $120,000 is going to be more palatable to outraged taxpayers?" said a statement from the state GOP. "It doesn't make Senator Walsh any more qualified for the job, and it doesn't change the fact that the job was vacant for 12 years. To use Governor Patrick's words, this is a 'trivial' attempt at damage control."
The reference to "trivial" was a jibe at Patrick's statements last week in which he tried to brush aside criticism of the Walsh appointment and other personnel controversies on Beacon Hill.
Walsh, who was one of Patrick's earliest supporters in his long-shot bid to become governor in 2006, had hoped to become the $225,000-a-year executive director of the agency last year, according to private e-mail the Globe obtained between her political adviser, veteran Democratic political operative Michael Goldman, and the governor's chief of staff, Doug Rubin.
That plan was put on hold and revised after a Globe story in June described the behind-the-scenes jockeying.
Walsh's credentials in public bonding are not strong. She holds a theological degree from Harvard Divinity School and a law degree from Suffolk University. She has worked on state finance and financial regulation issues, serving as Senate chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Joint Committee on Banks and Banking. She also led efforts in the Senate to force private, nonprofit organizations to open their books to the public.
The Health and Education Facilities Authority secures tax-exempt capital financing for hospitals, colleges and universities, cultural and research institutions, and human service providers. The authority said Walsh had been hired to work with other authorities, particularly the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, to create more efficient operations and save money.
Two years ago Patrick appointed Walsh's husband -- Paul V. Buckley, a retired district court judge -- to the state's Industrial Accident Board, a post that pays $113,000 a year. The job will sharply increase his state pension. Walsh had applied to Patrick's Judicial Nominating Commission to become a district court judge, but she withdrew her name a year ago.
Walsh has held the Senate seat since 1992, after serving two terms in the House. Senate sources have said that her relationship with Senate President Therese Murray has been strained. Still, Murray issued a statement praising Walsh, saying she has been a ''strong advocate for her constituents and a champion of important issues.''
Comment
Permalink
Email
Still $120K too much for a position that was vacant for more than a decade and a half with no resulting problem.
Too bad Gov and way too late. Do the same cut to all state employees.
Is this a joke? Another "well done" to those who voted Patrick in. Same goes for those who helped vote in a 100% controlled Washington. As we can see, one-party rule REALLY works great.
My. What a Sacrifice- What do you think she would get in a nonstate job? What do they pay to get fries with that?
this is still a 44 thousand dollar raise. How on earth can someone sit with a straight face and think reporting a "pay cut" in this fashion would help "quell the uproar"
they just don't get it.
Still a $120,000 too much.
"State Senator Marian Walsh is asking a state authority to lower her planned salary from $175,000 to $120,000."
Oh, that makes me feel soooo much better! She is such a joke! She needs to be removed and the position eliminated!
When I called the Governor's Office to complain about this (and several other issues) the young woman with whom I spoke told me that it wasn't generally known, but it was the HEFA board that had appointed Walsh, not the Governor. "Did the Governor appoint the HEFA Board?" I asked. "Yes" she said.
We have got to show these people that we are NOT silent and stupid. (Well, at least any more.)
My daughter told me that she wished she had back the vote she cast for Patrick. Me too. And all the other "public servants" on Beacon Hill.
Whoopee!!! Take $120K out of the state coffers instead of $175K. Big deal! How about not taking the job? It hasn't been filled for 12 years, obviously it is not critical.
Put it into education instead. Even at $120K, that's four teacher jobs. We need them more than we need more unnecessary high paid officials. Wake up!
Actually her pay would almost double what she would have earned this year due to her slap down by the Senate President.
Give her $250,000 as long as I don't have to see another of her silly-lollipop campaign signs with her ugly mug this fall in order to continue her flip-flopety representation of me for another 2 years
A hack is a hack regardless of how much they are paid.
How about to zero.
If somehow one of the geniuses from Fidelity or State Street took a five year sabatical and worked for the bonding agency the salary would be palatable to the tax payers. But here is this lady and her husband who apparantly have never worked a non-state job in their lives, an entire household living high on the hog off of the public teat, and we are suppose to be happy that she will only take in 120,000? Why is she even qualified for this job?
Recall Deval
When is he gonna look at the $100-300K salaries of UMass professors? Is it really fair to place the burden on struggling middle class students to cover such greed? At least this is a start.
If this person were a man and and a republican, there would be far less scrutiny---They just passed a law saying women and men must have equal pay.----Enough already, we are really tired of this...
You got to be kidding this is a slap in the face to voters. She is still getting a 44,000 dollar increase in salary during this recession and she does not have the experience. Everyone contact Gov. Patrick's office and tell him to stop this smoke and mirrors show he continues to give us voters!!!
UNBELIEVABLE........Why not just get rid of this position all together...better yet when is the next election?????????
What more can you expect from politicians? They are more concerned about building up their pension than anything else. If we have laws regarding term limits for our Governor and also for the President of the USA, is it not time we likewise have term limits on Legislators? I am just disgusted with the Democrat Party and the Republicans are not much better. However, we NEED a two party system in Massachusetts - wake up folks!!!
It's still too much for someone who ALREADY GETTING A $76k STATE SENATOR'S SALARY,...... so much for "working for the people". She needs to focus on the job she already has. The best move that either one of them can make is to remove the job & walk away from the situation. We haven't needed the job in 12 years and with the way the economy is we definitely don't need it now.
Deval Patrick is the worst thing to happen to this state since Jane Swift.
Hey Marian, how 'bout $1?
I'll take $120K for a job that hasn't been filled in 12 years, what a sport. Deval need to be slashing the costs of his admin. Her husband is already on the taxpayers bill, enough patronage.
I'd be willing to do that job for a mere $110,000, Mr. Governor!
This position was vacant for 12 years. It should remain so. It obviously is not an important job. This would save the entire $175,000 per year salary plus benefits costs.
This will not quell public outrage about this appointment. People in this state are losing their jobs, and Patrick fills a position, that has been empty for 12 years with one of his hack friends. Deval Must Go!! He doesn't have a clue, nor does he care what the working person is up against not only in this economy, but this state.
Doesn't Mr Gordon get a schedule of the monthly meetings?
So instead of getting $175,000 for doing nothing, Maid Marian will accept a mere $120,000 for doing nothing. She is just the soul of generosity, isn't she?
Governor,
This appointment is an outrage. How can you spend our money to reward a political supporter. Espeically in a position that has been vacant for so long - obviously it is not needed. Shame on you. You have lost my support!
Where is the legislature with a 90% tax on her salary, preferably from the first dollar. Hell, why they're at it, lets tax the entire legislature, governor and his staff at 90%
Think we can get the ACORN people from Ct. who paraded before AIG employees to come here and do the same?
Don't hold your breath!!
FYI, $120,000 for a no-show job is not "trivial" and I am still outraged.
Isn't an offer to take a paycut a tacit admission that the job is a farce? When you have to whittle down your pay to make it somewhat more palatable for voters, then you're admitting that the job really wasn't all that important to begin with.
But I'm going to refuse to be awash in cynicism because I believe in hope and change and changey hope!!! Hooray!
One more example of what a pathetic state government we have here. I'm telling you, if we can't change things I really think I need to consider moving out of this corrupt state. Shame on you Cadillac Deval.
Too little way too late. Deval has been exposed as the hack he is..reminds me of someone holding a higher office...
So let us think for a moment a reduction in salary for a job which was unfilled for years, going to a person with no other qualifications other than political connections, in a time in our history when corporations are freezing wages and hiring.
Governor Patrick! Please do the good people of this state a service and resign before you do any more damage
Glad I live in New Hampshire.
Deval Patrick is in over his head. He's a minor leaguer in a game where you must be a professional.
How many more days until the election?? God, these people are pathetic...Why don't they go out and get a real job????????
Wow, the Globe finally outs Doug Rubin. Poor guy must have run out of dimes to drop. Looks like Viser and Phillips will actually have to do some real reporting now instead of transcribing everything Saint Patrick's lackeys say.
@Gloria Goldstein-
Are you kidding? You think that this is a gender issue? Don't be so ridiculous. In this economic environment, I don't think anyone makes a distinction between male or female, it's wrong either way.
Major progress in gender barriers- females are now just as overpaid for pointless government jobs as males are--- hooray!
"22. Deval Patrick is the worst thing to happen to this state since Jane Swift"......OUCH!...But so true!
All of you Massachusetts voters who voted for " Deval "should feel like fools. This guy has not done anything and will not do anything for the State but raise the gas tax , sales tax , or the tolls on the Mass Turnpike . This is what the Democrats are best at , promise everything then hit every mass tax payer with another fee or tax . Ever notice how he gets that look on his face way when he is questioned about anything that he supports and people question ? He looks like a child who's favorite toy has been taken from him !
If this person were a man and and a republican, there would be far less scrutiny---They just passed a law saying women and men must have equal pay.----Enough already, we are really tired of this...
Gloria Goldstein
how many republican men get jobs from deville ?
and im sure if a white republican male got this job in ma
you would have been the first to complain !!
"Massachusetts . . . . it's all here."
I agree with "Recall Deval". The man has his own agenda and doesn't give a hoot about the people in this state. All for himself and the close people that run in his circle. I can't imagine why anyone would vote for him. At least Jane Shame Swift tried to cover her tracks and the hacks she ran with.
This man need's to go!
It would have been wiser for her to step away from the HEFA job and let it go unfilled as it has been for the last 12 years. You can't have both ways, Governor-complain about high salaries at authorities on one hand while trying to to land one for an early supporter. What do you really stand for????
Is this supposed to make us feel better? The position was vacant for 12 years.
Really, it's time, time to break away from the crooks in Boston, form a new state, elect officals whos goal it is NOT to steal from the public. It's time. Every town outside route 495, we need to form our own state. Theives, crooks and lobbyist. The crooks on Beacon Hill and in the governor's office, they work to steal from the people, that is their job description.
My husband, 60 years old this May, is a software/micro wave engineer.We have no health insurance, because he is layed off.
We cannot afford State Mandated insurance, because last year he earned over the 42thousand dollar limit for help, by 10thousand dollars. So this year my layed off 60 year old husband and I cannot afford our mortgage insurance fuel payments.
Sweetie, TAKE A BIGGER CUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvin Gordon was on vacation when he had a chance to weigh in, and bow he's suddenly a credible critic? Good luck resurrecting the Republican Party with guys like that at the forefront.
"On vacation" indeed. I wonder how many meetings he's actually attended?
Like someone else, already said: Congratulations to all those that that voted in the patrick administration for change. Oh yeah and those that voted against abolishing the state income tax, thanks for making sure my tax is going to a good cause all $120,000 of them
Menino might want to consider conducting a pay review as well- there are dozens, if not hundreds, of $100K + jobs at City Hall contributing minimal value to the city's overall welfare.
I am the ghost of Michael Dukakis.I leave you this from my Wikipedia entry ;
"this performance did not prove enough to offset a backlash against the state's high sales and property tax rates, which turned out to be the predominant issue in the 1978 gubernatorial campaign. Dukakis, despite being the incumbent Democratic governor, was refused renomination by his own party. "
Govenor's who ignore history, are doomed to repeat it....
Almost since Day #1 in office, Patrick has repeatedly embarrassed many of his early supporters (like me) by continuing to see himself as a high-power, high-priced private sector executive, who appears to feel entitled to get (& grant) the same sort of perks and privileges that A.I.G. execs are taking so much heat for. I'm really saddened to see how his (increasingly rare) good ideas quickly get mired-down by the backlash that's steadily building over his political insensitivity. As a 1st-term politician, I was expecting he'd need some time to learn the ropes; a savvy guy would've also known that, & made certain that his trusted inner-circle included folks who could help him compensate for his "blind spot." Unfortunately, Patrick's blindness appears to be caused, in part, out of arrogance -- he's still hasn't got the message that most of his rank-and-file supporters began to send-off within a few weeks of his coronation: "The honeymoon is OVER -- It's time to Walk-the-Walk, and actually DO something to earn our respect!"
go back to your old job " the Senate " we don't need to pay you for a job that was not needed for 12 years. we end up paying you 120,000 dollars and now we have to pay someone else 76,000 to fill your senate seat.the game just keeps on going.
Yeah brilliant Big Jim - cut pay for all state employees - the average pay of which is under $40,000. Heck why not cut them in half. That should crank up the number of foreclosures and repossessed cars. You do know that state employees have the same bills that you do. Guess what? We even have CHILDREN!!!!!!!!! Cut our pay and we will have to stop paying many of our bills. Now in 150 words or less explain how that will help the economy.
well, that was very thoughtful of you, seeing that you do absolutely NOTHING!!! have you considered stepping down altogether? How come your website has been under construction for YEARS???? I wish I had a job like yours. Haha!
Is this a joke ? This position should be eliminated, as well as the governor who
thought this was appropriate and who maintained a dismissive attitude towards
those who complained. He should be eliminating all of the positions like this at the state.
Clear abuse of the system what else is new in Mass? lol
The lowered salary does not change the fact that the position is not necessary. It was vacant for 12 years. We do not need it now, esp. in these trying times. This should still be viewed by all as simply a political favor by the Governor.
Please remember to vote this guy out of office and not fall sway to anything he does to bolster his image near re-election time.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
INside Boston.com
LOCAL BLOGS
Universal Hub
The Chinatown Blog
CommonWealth Magazine
Red Mass Group
Blue Mass Group
Boston 1775
The Berkeley Beacon
The Daily Collegian
The Daily Free Press
The Harvard Crimson
The Heights
The Huntington News
The Suffolk Voice
The Tech
The Tufts Daily