FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                  CONTACT: Erin McNeill

May 4, 2009                                                                                                                                          (617) 722-1551

                                                                                                                                                                 erin.mcneill@state.ma.us

Pacheco to hold state budget briefing in district

Global fiscal crisis, worst since the Great Depression, requires careful examination of options

Senator Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton, announced he will hold a district-wide budget briefing Wednesday, May 13 to help explain how the legislature is working to address the budget process during this economic crisis, even as the revenue numbers continue to shift.

 “There is a lot of confusion and concern about the budget process,” Pacheco said. “Everyday, people are hearing reports of another program cut, more layoffs, and another tax to be imposed. This is a crisis of global proportions and Massachusetts is not immune. Everyone needs to be paying close attention.”

 The briefing is intended to help elected municipal officials and the general public understand budget negotiations at the State House, Pacheco said. State and municipal financial experts will be on hand to discuss options to help put the Commonwealth back on track to fiscal stability.

 “The greatest challenge in setting a budget for 2010,” said Pacheco, “is that the ground continues to shift. Since the House passed a budget last week, revenues continue to fall.”

 There will be a clearer picture of the most recent numbers after a Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing tomorrow, he added.

  “Right now, it appears that current revenue estimates compared to the House budget estimates could be off as much as a billion dollars,” Pacheco said.

 The briefing, which is open to the public, will take place on May 13 at Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical School’s Cafetorium from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.