State Senate President Robert Travaglini failed to appear at the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce 91st Annual Meeting at the Nahant Country Club last week.
It wasn't because he didn't want to attend, he explained to the Journal this week. It was because he was trapped by the workload revolving around the creation of the FY'04 budget. It is that budget, Travaglini said, that will directly influence the future financial solvency of Lynn and cities like it.
It's been five months since Travaglini was sworn in as the 93rd president of the Massachusetts Senate, and many of his colleagues on Beacon Hill say he never shows up on the job sulking, or out of character, even when surprises hidden in the Commonwealth's fiscal crisis knock him around a bit.
Since taking the oath of office on Jan. 1, 2003 Travaglini's
work hours have increased, too.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. for the senator, when he meets with a
different state agency or group every morning.
Following breakfast, appointments run all afternoon with colleagues and experts familiarizing the senator with the day's issues.
As the afternoon turns to night, Travaglini has his final meeting at 8:30 p.m. with staff members who brief him on the following day's schedule.
Travaglini's assignment calls for a man who will work tirelessly
and honorably to manage the state's fiscal crisis, and so far, his
quest to tackle this daunting task has been admirable.
Forming bipartisan relationships in both the House and Senate, he
has called upon the experience and expertise of his colleagues to
help solve the state's economic emergency.
"My top priority from day one is to restore confidence in the
economy," he said. "It's not going to happen overnight. There needs
to be a large reorganization and reform of state spending. We need
to identify a way to save money while honoring our commitments to
public safety, education and health care. We can't 'cut' our way
out of this one. The magnitude of the problem is just too
large."
It hasn't been easy for Travaglini to find a way to reorganize revenues, save revenues and prioritize the state's under-funded programs while simultaneously trying to find ways to get money for these under-funded programs.
"Raising taxes is not the answer," he said. "It is in the best interest of the Commonwealth and its economy to begin raising new revenues. Generating revenues has to be part of the discussion down the road, but we just don't know what those revenue boosting vehicles will be in the future." Instead, Travaglini has handed the ball to many lawmakers who may be more knowledgeable regarding specific issues in the Senate.
"There are a lot of bright and talented members of this body," he said. "I realize I don't hold the monopoly on wisdom, but I have learned if you let people express themselves and their capabilities, good things happen."
To date Travaglini's cooperative political policy has earned praise from Statehouse lawmakers on Beacon Hill.
"I believe I have enhanced my colleagues' participation in the governing process," he said. "I feel they are pleased with the new environment in which they work and I am receiving a continuous level of encouragement and support from my fellow lawmakers." However, radical recommendations made by the Romney administration have created disagreement on Beacon Hill despite Travaglini's saying the public can't afford finger pointing and chaos between Democrats and Republicans.
"We are going to disagree," he said, "but disagree within a dialogue and debate that is both professional and without delay. This budget will be on time."
In Lynn, Travaglini's presidency has given the city that's dependent on small business and commerce a strong voice in the very place where policy is made.
"Small businesses provide employment, pay taxes and are sparkplugs of the economic engine that drive the Commonwealth," he said. "We are doing everything now to protect and provide attention to these vital resources in Lynn and elsewhere."
And even though Travaglini brings more weight to the table for many communities including Lynn, he said he wouldn't flex that power unless there was a cause or condition dictating such a move.
"Lynn at the very least will not be overlooked," he said. "I will continue to provide the needed support to local social service programs. I will continue to be an impetus for these vital organizations. In the end I hope everything I do meets the approval of those who gave me the power and opportunity to serve.
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Jun 18 2003
Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce |