Posted on 09/09/2009 11:13:16 AM PDT by outpostinmass2
Some call them the fourth branch of government in Massachusetts – quasi-public agencies. They’re not fully private entities, but not fully a part of state government, either.
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“It literally is like a disease that can't be controlled,” said Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford.
Team 5 Investigates’ Janet Wu reported Wednesday that even reading the names of the dozens of quasi-public agencies can be confusing. The words economic, finance, development and technology show up in most titles.
“You never know what is buried in those cans of worms because it's not fully transparent,” said Montigny.
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Critics said what makes these half-public/half-private hybrids dangerous is that they are not fully accountable to either the free market or to state lawmakers.
Gov. Deval Patrick agrees. “They have an influence on a whole host of very important parts of the government mission without being accountable,” he told Wu. “That concerns me.”
Established by the state legislature, and using seed money from state and federal governments, the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation invested $83 million in 130 companies over three decades. But its tiny staff has a massive budget, $1.3 million for just six staff members.
Robert Crowley, head of the quasi-public Massachusetts Technology Development Council, replied, “This game is a little like being Reggie Jackson, OK? If you hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth in the seventh game of the World Series, it doesn't make any difference how many times you struck out.”
Wu: “The state treasurer manages billions of dollars. You manage millions of dollars. He makes significantly less.”
Crowley: “Apples and oranges.”
Wu: “What justifies your higher salary over his?”
Crowley: “I didn't know if you need an answer to that.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thebostonchannel.com ...
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