Wrapping up an hourlong visit to the Dedham Farmers Market, Governor Deval Patrick said this evening that state legislators should not “let a self-imposed deadline” – the formal end to the legislative session Saturday night – prevent them from completing work on a slew of pending bills.
Earlier today, Senate President Therese Murray and House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Murphy rebuffed Patrick’s call for the Legislature to extend its session, if needed, to finish work on a number of major bills.
Asked if he was frustrated that they hadn’t responded to his call, Patrick said, “Look, if they can get it done by the end of the day on Saturday when the session ends, all to the good. But my point is, if they can’t get it done, don’t let a self-imposed deadline be the reason.”
“The people of the Commonwealth need action on all of these jobs-related bills. There’s proposals pending to get access to capital for small businesses, and to cap their health care costs. Those are enormously important, to encourage small businesses,” Patrick told the Dedham Transcript.
He added that those important measures and others, such as CORI reform, “have been pending a long time.”
“They have moved to the point of conference committee now, but they need to close on all of those measures, and they need to do it before they go off on vacation,” he concluded.
Beacon Hill leaders, including Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, have been trying to reach a deal on expanded gambling.
The governor began his visit to the farmers market by buying jars of mango habanero jam and red raspberry preserve from the stall of Lemon Thyme Farm. He also bought a refreshing drink from the Linari brothers, the young Dedham boys who sell “pirate lemonade.”
In a brief speech, Patrick highlighted the community feeling of the market – and proclaimed today “Dedham Day.”
Material from State House News Service was used in this story.
Dedham Transcript staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.
