The cuts were part of $425 million Romney slashed from the FY07 budget under the guise of a “fiscal emergency”. Legislative leaders quickly dismissed the governor’s assertion that the state’s lagging economy required that he make cuts in the existing budget in order to balance the budget.

Senate Ways and Chairman Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) issued a statement, which claimed that Romney “manufactured” the budget crisis in order to bolster his presidential ambitions. Murray, together with her House counterpart, Representative Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), pledged swift Legislative action to overturn Romney’s cuts.

“This is nothing more than a cheap political trick by an outgoing governor. These cuts were unwarranted and we have faith that the Legislature will restore the money in due time,” said Association President Ralph White. “While our members should know their insurance is intact and will not be taken away, it is shameful that Governor Romney would use retirees, particularly some of our most vulnerable, as political pawns. He may think this type of move sells in certain parts of the country, but I believe the heartland will see right through this act.”