By Katie Curley
Staff writer
July 22, 2009 03:59 am NEWBURYPORT — Saying he is getting excited about an upcoming re-election bid and the list of candidates set to face him, Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday painted an optimistic perspective on the state of the commonwealth while acknowledging the series of difficult decisions it's taken to get there. In an hour-long meeting with The Daily News editorial board, Patrick addressed a range of issues, including the impacts of sales tax on border communities, the school funding formula that left Newburyport with no initial stimulus aid for schools and the pressing need to move forward on renewable energy projects. Patrick was in the city yesterday as part of his summer-long listening tour. Newburyport was one of 15 stops on the tour, which he says influences the decisions he makes when bills come across his desk. "A little love goes a long way north of Route 128 and Interstate 495," he said, noting later, "Newburyport is way cool." Addressing the fears of local businesses over the additional 25 percent sales tax increase set to go into effect next week, Patrick said the tax was not his first choice as a way to raise money to close a $9 million budget gap and noted his proposed gas tax was defeated. He also noted he was able to win over legislators on reforms in transportation funding and ethics as a compromise to signing off on the sales tax. "This comes at a crummy time," Patrick said. "It comes at a time when the economy is so fragile, and it will have an adverse impact on business and consumption, but the sales tax is relatively low compared to neighboring states besides New Hampshire." Patrick had empathy for local businesses along the New Hampshire border that will most likely be affected when the tax increase goes into effect on Aug. 1. "I am worried about it," Patrick said. "But I hope they can use their marketing skills to keep business, and I believe business owners expect the state to deliver certain services. They want the potholes in front of their shops to be fixed, and they want safe and convenient trains and strong schools to get good employees. These decisions were not made lightly." Patrick said money raised from the sales tax will go into the general fund to close the gap between last year's fiscal budget and this year's. He also said the state is in better shape from the impacts of the recession than most others in the country, though budgetary effects may not be felt until 2012. "We would be worse without the sales tax," Patrick said. "The good news is the consensus is we are not as bad as the rest of the country. We are lower than average in unemployment numbers. We were one of the last into the recession, and there is a feeling we will be the first out of it." Until then, Patrick believes regionalization is one way for communities to save money. Speaking of the potential cost savings tied to the regionalization of local government, Patrick compared the state to California. "We have 200-plus 911 call centers in the state," Patrick said. "In California, they have four. ... Does every town need its own 911 center? Does it need its own, even ... school district?" The state's focus on green energy, life sciences and health care has kept the state ahead of the rest of the nation, he said, noting his philosophies on renewable energy closely resemble President Obama's. Patrick said an increased focus on wind and alternative energy in the coming months and years will continue to increase the state's strength. Asked about the location of such projects and weight of the impacts on neighborhoods, Patrick said, "It's about balance" between need and local impacts. "We want to do it fast, but we want to do it right," he said. "We have 351 cities and towns, and each is very unique with strong local cultures. The question is: Can we afford it to be like that today." With state energy plans that would increase the dependence on solar and wind energy, including off-shore wind turbines, Patrick said local municipalities will still be able to maintain some control of the process. "No bill will likely pass the Legislature, never mind my office, that would exclude the vetting of these issues in local communities," he said. Addressing his future political aspirations, Patrick said while he hasn't officially launched his campaign for re-election, he will seek another term in office and welcomes competition from those who will be running against him. He said perceptions of his clashes with the Legislature are overblown, saying "most of what we've wanted, we've gotten." "We have a strong record of reform and new initiatives," Patrick said. "I'm intrigued by the rest of the field. I know it's radical, but I welcome competition; it helped shape government, and a contrast of ideas is good for everyone."
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