Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka causing Commonwealth budgetary dysfunction

As the Commonwealth heads into its 18th day without a state budget, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance took legislative leaders to task for their unfortunate annual tradition of budgetary dysfunction.

With the passage of a budget in Ohio, Massachusetts now remains the only state in the union operating without a formal budget.

“In a state where one party controls super-majorities in both chambers of the legislature, there is simply no excuse for this kind of political dysfunction. The hard-working families of Massachusetts might be more understanding of this needless gridlock, but the absurd exemption of the legislature from both open meeting and public records laws means everyday people and the media have absolutely no insight into what is holding up the budget,” commented Paul D. Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

“Out of the 7,383 state lawmakers in the United States, the Massachusetts ‘squad’ of 200, led by Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) and Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), are the only ones that cannot manage to pass a budget without making their state an embarrassing national headline,” continued Craney.

“The new Massachusetts miracle would be if our legislative leadership could begin to actually meet their own deadlines. With the dozens and dozens of leadership positions available to lawmakers, if this group cannot get it done, maybe its time other lawmakers stepped up and run to take over,” stated Craney.


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