$175,000 plum job for governor

(Report 3-13-09-1)

Patrick hires political pal while squeezing taxpayers

by Hillary Chabot
DNN Reports!
Friday, Mar. 13, 2009

Outrage is sweeping Beacon Hill after Gov. Patrick quietly slipped a $175,000 plum job to a political pal while squeezing taxpayers to pay more for less from the debt-ridden state government.

Asking citizens to fork over 19 cents more per gallon at the gas pump while bracing for cuts of cops and teachers, Patrick awarded supporter Marian Walsh the pricey plum as assistant executive director of the state’s Health and Educational Facilities Authority.

The job has been vacant for 12 years. The appointment of Walsh, 54, a Democratic state senator from West Roxbury, was revealed amid news of a $1 billion state deficit while Patrick continued his vacation in Jamaica.

“We’re facing a fiscal crisis and he’s giving away a $175,000 job,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This was vacant for several years. Why do we need it now?”

“While the state’s in a fiscal calamity and we’re trying to stay afloat, the governor is basically creating this pricey position,” said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield).

The six-digit salary boost won’t affect Walsh’s pension because the quasi-independent authority isn’t under the state retirement system. She currently makes $76,000 a year as majority whip and has served in the Senate since 1993.

Patrick appointed Walsh’s husband, retired District Court judge Paul Buckley, to a $113,000-a-year job as director of the state’s industrial accident board. He’s eligible to take home a $92,000 pension upon retiring.

Health authority spokesman Liam Sullivan said Walsh will help the quasi-independent agency boost its “government relations expertise.”

The agency works to funnel tax-exempt financing for capital projects to nonprofit institutions.

The appointment flies in the face of Patrick’s recent rhetoric asking residents to sacrifice during tough times. It also puts him at odds with his campaign pledge to shun political patronage.

“This is one commonwealth. We share in the sacrifices. We share in the challenges,” Patrick said just last month when he unveiled his plan to hike the gas tax.

Barbara Anderson, director of Citizens for Limited Taxation, said the Walsh appointment means residents are even less likely to support any of Patrick’s suggested new taxes.

“It’s a nice big ‘Forget about it,’ when he asks for any of the increases,” Anderson said. “If we didn’t need her last month or last year, why do we need her now?”

Patrick spokesman Joe Landolfi sent an e-mailed statement saying Walsh was qualified for the position.

Walsh, who would not address the controversy, has sought to exit the Senate for a few years, sources say. She was a finalist for a judgeship last year, and she previously was considered by the administration for the executive director’s post at HEFA.