BOSTON - Gov. Deval Patrick said today he has personally asked William Lantigua to step down from either his job as state representative or his new position as mayor of Lawrence.
Patrick says despite his pleas, he's been unable to force Lantigua to do so.
"Sometimes people think that the governor can solve every problem and is charged with doing so," Patrick said today during a radio appearance. "He's got a logic for it. He's got precedent for it. It just bugs you. There are folks who'd like one job right now."
Lantigua makes $100,000 a year as mayor and at least $70,000 annually as state representative. Lantigua has not responded for comment.
Patrick filed a bill Dec. 31 which would allow Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million to help close its ballooning $24.5 million deficit. The bill states if the city is unable to balance its books, a state finance control board may be brought in.
The controversial bill is now before the House Ways and Means Committee, of which Lantigua is a member. A hearing on House Bill No. 4421 is expected next week.
For more on this story, please see tomorrow's The Eagle-Tribune.
Statehouse News Service contributed to the report.
