Posted on 12/27/2006 12:53:58 AM PST by jdm
Governor Mitt Romney may refuse to move ahead on automatic pay raises for lawmakers unless they vote next week on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages, a top administration official said yesterday.
The state's 200 House and Senate members are entitled to a raise on Jan. 1, but it is up to the governor to decide the exact amount and give final approval. Romney could act on the pay raises before he leaves office on Jan. 4, or leave the responsibility to Governor-elect Deval Patrick.
Legislators have scheduled a vote on the same-sex marriage amendment for Jan. 2, but many opponents of gay marriage fear lawmakers will recess without taking action. According to a senior Romney administration official, the governor is seriously considering withholding his approval if the Legislature does not act on the amendment.
Two years ago, the last time lawmakers were due raises, Romney approved the increases in early December.
Pushing the decision off would have virtually no practical effect because a raise is guaranteed. But it could be symbolically significant for Romney, who is expected to announce soon that he is running for president.
Denying lawmakers their raises -- even if Patrick subsequently approved them -- would let Romney trumpet before key primary-state audiences his efforts to hold the line on spending and continue his outspoken opposition to gay marriage.
It would also signal his continuing displeasure with a Legislature he has railed against for not voting on the amendment. Romney, who asked the Supreme Judicial Court to override the Legislature and let voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriage, told a crowd of several thousand gathered outside the State House last month that lawmakers have violated the state constitution by refusing to vote on the amendment.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
I collected that $100.00 for four straight years. One other little perk was "free" tags for my car.
I was in the House during the Steve Merrill years. I think his pay back then was around $96K. I believe the pay is around $100K these days.
""What is the Gov. paid?"
I was in the House during the Steve Merrill years. I think his pay back then was around $96K. I believe the pay is around $100K these days."
Gov. Romney and Lt. Gov. Healey both declined their salaries for the duration of the term, choosing to spend the money on staff.
Romney gets pasted as a liberal because he acknowledged while campaigning for Gov. that there was no way he was going to outlaw abortion in MA. Duh. I believe he has gotten a very unfair treatment around here. He has focused on trying to move the line in the sand, not on quixotic, hopeless causes. I believe he was largely successful, advancing a great deal more items in the conservative direction than could be expected from A LEGISLATURE THAT IS 85% DEMOCRAT!!!
I don't necessarily think he's the Savior, but I do think he's worth a fair listen, and an open mind.
"Several people talking about Rudy and Romney seem under the impression that they are conservative but had to lie in order to get elected state wide in these commie based states.
No thanks you.
I go more by what they do not what they say they will do."
That's what I'm trying to show you-the difference between the impression that's going around and the actual record. I'm not sure how close to MA you are-I live here, and I'm not a full-timer, but I try to stay awake on state stuff. Can you give me specifics? Yes, it's a commie-based state; my point is I don't see him as a commie-based guy.
"I will not vote for anyone who can get elected state wide in a socialist state!"
N.B.: He didn't run again. Why? He couuldn't have gotten elected again. How do I know? The Republican who did run was a lot more liberal than he was, and she got beaten badly because she was too conservative. Check his approval ratings before you dismiss him over being approved of here. The fact that he was able to get elected in the first place and advance his agenda/hold back the tide as well as he did is a testament to his political skill and cool-headedness. I understand your anti-MA sentiments fully, but I don't accept the perception that either Mitt or I don't meet conservative standards because of where we live. I'm sorry, but making decisions in this world is only easy if you are willing to use arbitrary surface features to narrow your options more quickly. I suppose that approaches like that lead to situations like we have here in Mass. Who the hell wants to work their ass off for principles if they're only going to get pissed on by the people whose cause they are trying to advance. Better to just get drunk and stay that way.
Snort. Tell it to all the people bugging out of MA.
Just one reason why....
Quixotic, hopeless causes such as . . . what?
Required reading.
It would better if they didn't get paid at all, but that's not doable.
Good move, Romney.
"Do you think Romney would have any chance to carry even his own state?
Same questions for Rudy lovers!"
Romney might do well in a MA primary, because people here know a lot more about him than people around the country seem to, if FR is any representation. In a general election, this state will vote for a Democrat every time.
"How about Romney's Hillary care or his flip flops on abortion or gun control?
That is enough of a clue he is not conservative!.
Note: I do not drink and I will never vote for a person from NY or your commie wealth!
Because he is your favorite son does not make him coservative, can you say RINO?"
Wow. I'll refrain from making a bunch of sweeping generalizations about people from your region, because I know better. But I do know how to spell "conservative".
I addressed the health care issue earlier.
I addressed the issue of his abortion position; gun control is the same scenario. During his campaign he made it clear that he was personnaly opposed to abortion, but that there was no way he was going to make it an issue as Governor. The reality is that, in this state, there was no way he could. That's what Quixotic means. Tilting at windmills like Don Quixote. He hasn't flip-flopped at all.
As for favorite sons and conservatives, I thought you might want the benefit of the perspective of a fellow conservative who has seen the subject in closer detail than you have, over a longer period of time. That's what Free Republic is all about, after all, isn't it? Sharing knowledge and perspectives so we can all have a more thorough understanding and better command of the facts and issues? I've been here the whole time. You haven't. I've listened to what he stands for for six years; you haven't. You don't listen to anyone from Mass., because they come from Mass., and that's all you know, all you want to know, and all you're going to know, because you know all you need to know. Must be nice.
The drinking line wan't about you; it's what I'm going to do right after I hit "send", on account of I'm sick of banging my head against this brick wall. If this site is just about calling groups of people names without giving individuals a chance to earn their stripes, I'm outa here.
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