Word: dukakises
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Because of the state legislature's commitment to preserving essential social programs, it will eventually approve Gov. Michael S. Dukakis' proposed tax hike, Massachusetts Secretary of Human Services Philip Johnston predicted yesterday at the Kennedy School.
Massachusetts has transformed traditional liberal social programs into "good, wise, strong investment" since Dukakis was reelected in 1982, Johnston said, citing commitments to the homeless, the unemployed and working mothers that cannot be abandoned.
Legislators have called the proposed budget financially unsound because of its dependence on a $604 million tax hike that Dukakis proposed last month. Opponents of the plan also criticized its provision for $495 million in savings that includes a plan to recover $227 million by tightening Medicaid eligibility.
Scaccia and other committee members said Dukakis should have submitted a smaller spending recommendation since he faces a $636 million deficit for the fiscal year ending June 30.
Throughout the morning, Lashman replied to the committee's criticism by saying the Dukakis budget meets the state's committments on education, mental health, the homeless, hazardous waste cleanup and the environment.