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Lowell
Sun - Auditor: State should pay
cities, towns for special-election
BOSTON
-- The special election that sent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown to Congress cost
Massachusetts cities and towns $7.8 million, translating to about $1.85
for each vote cast at the polls in January. State
Auditor Joe DeNucci certified the election costs yesterday after
reaching out to each city and town across the state to determine the
financial impact of holding the special election. DeNucci
said the state should reimburse communities for the cost of holding the
special election because it amounted to an "unfunded mandate"
on municipalities. "This
is a matter of fairness for cities and towns," DeNucci said in a
statement. "The special election imposed a significant cost at a
time when they could least afford it. I commend Gov. Patrick and the
Legislature for their commitment to address this important issue." The
state has already covered 20 percent of the cost by reimbursing cities
and towns $1.57 million to cover the expense of extended polling hours. That
leaves $6.3 million in outstanding expenses that must be approved by the
Legislature. The House voted last week to spend up to $7.2 million to
pay the election expenses. The Senate expects to take up the measure
next week as part of the supplemental budget bill. The
special election cost Lowell $81,404, but the city has already received
$28,918, leaving a bill of $52,486. |
| Mailing Address:oseph DeNucci
P.O. Box 600252 Newton MA 02460 Office Location: 259 Walnut St Newton, MA 02460 Phone: 617.630.0600 Fax: 617.630.0625 E-Mail: HDQ@JoeDeNucci.com |
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