< Back to front page Text size – +

House speaker rejects governor's tax hike proposals

E-mail|Link|Comments () January 28, 2010 02:24 PM

By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo this afternoon rejected tax hikes proposed by Governor Deval Patrick, pledging that the House budget will contain no new taxes.

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo

"Citizens are already living paycheck to paycheck and stretching their dollars as far as humanly possible," said DeLeo, in a speech marking the first anniversary of his speakership. "We cannot and will not ask them to do more."

House members loudly applauded his no-new-taxes pledge.

To create jobs, DeLeo said, he will seek to restore full funding this year and next year for workforce training grants and for the speedy release of federal stimulus money for "projects that will provide the quickest employment opportunities."

He said he will consider legislation to bring casino gaming to Massachusetts, calling the debate "not a philosophical one. It is about a fight for job creation. It is about a fight to expand our tourist attractions, which in turn help to drive our economy." He added that he will insist any gaming bill "require the creation of permanent jobs."

"We can and must do more and we must do it now!" he said.

DeLeo has been speaker since last January, when his predecessor, Salvatore F. DiMasi, resigned amid controversy. DiMasi was later indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges and is awaiting trial.

On Wednesday, Patrick released his $28.2 billion budget that increased taxes on tobacco, candy and soft drinks and trimmed some tax incentives for businesses.

The House Ways and Means Committee will release its own version of the budget in mid-April. The Senate will also prepare a budget. The House and Senate will then agree on a compromise that will be sent to the governor's desk. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.