BOSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved a stronger version of the Lawrence borrowing bill, paving the way for a possible signing by Gov. Deval Patrick next week.
The House voted 101-49 Thursday to approve the bill as amended by the Senate. The bill now goes back to the Senate for final approval, and then to Patrick for his signature.
The bill would allow Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million to balance its budget this year and next year. But it comes with strings attached, including a provision that a financial overseer will advise the city on how to solve its fiscal crisis and have the power to call in a state control board at any time.
"I voted for it," Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, said yesterday. "It's a lot tougher. It's got a lot more teeth. And we've got to move this thing forward."
The bill has been held up since it was first proposed by Patrick in late December, in part, because Mayor William Lantigua refused to relinquish his seat as state representative from Lawrence.
State legislators threatened to kill the bill unless he stepped down. As soon as he did, a slightly stronger bill was approved by the House and sent to the Senate for approval.
The Senate added a number of amendments to strengthen it further as public criticism of the bill and its backers mounted.
Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover, said the bill approved by the Senate, and now by the House, provides "much stronger state oversight and provides accountability to taxpayers."
She said the bill was "much different than what the governor filed months ago," since it brings an overseer who will have a direct link to the secretary of administration and finance.
The bill also calls for the city to be placed into receivership if neither the overseer nor a finance control board are adequate to fix the financial problems faced by the city.
Lantigua has said the city faces a $24.5 million deficit this fiscal year, and a projected $15 million deficit next fiscal year beginning July 1.
It is not known at this time who the overseer will be, although Tucker said she hopes it is someone with both public and private sector experience, "who has very strong credentials in municipal finance."
She said she intends to be "brought into the loop on who the overseer would be." The governor will have the power to appoint the overseer.
Juan Martinez, spokesman for the governor, released this written statement after the House vote Thursday: "The Governor believes this effort is essential to ensuring that the City of Lawrence has the tools necessary to get its fiscal house in order so that its citizens' access to vital services is maintained. The Governor appreciates the Legislature's action on the bill thus far and looks forward to reviewing the final piece of legislation once it reaches his desk."
How Merrimack Valley Representatives voted on the bill to allow Lawrence to borrow up to $35 million
State Rep.How they voted
Linda Dean Campbell, D-MethuenN
Brian Dempsey, D-HaverhillN
Barry Finegold, D-Andover Y
Barbara L'Italien, D-AndoverN
David Torrisi, D-North AndoverY
Brad Jones, R-North ReadingN
Source: House clerk's office
