Left In Lowell

Lots of people have already hashed over what’s been “leaked” on Governor Patrick’s budget, to be proposed in final form tonight at a public meeting in Melrose (also broadcast live at 7pm on NECN). (Question: is this normal form for proposing the budget for Mass governors, or a new thing? Either way, nifty keen!)

The general consensus is this: it’s a responsible budget, keeping level funding for many agencies for now but bringing local aid back up (an increase of more than 5%), spending on educational programs (targeted and aimed at bettering failing schools), and some increases in health care spending. And like my fellow liberal brethren, I think things are going in the right direction too.

Already, many (mostly non-Patrick-voters, but some who are) are criticizing Patrick for not coming through on his promises of a 1000 new police on the streets and any number of other campaign pledges. “See?” they say. “Typical politician!”

How typically short-minded of them.

One of the reasons we worked for Patrick was that we trusted that he would implement a thoughtful, fiscally sane budget policy. In all the chase on fake drapery outrage and perfectly justified helicopter rides, there has been a quiet revolution afoot that most of the media have missed. Many of Patrick’s proposals these last two months are nothing short of controversial and interesting, to say the least. A few have flopped, and have been quietly withdrawn. But some, like the local options tax or consolidating the unaccountable “independent” state agencies, Patrick is obviously willing to throw his political muster into making a reality.

We supporters all knew that these great changes would take more than two months, but that’s why we believe in Patrick. Because he is not about to forgo long term gain in order to make political hay, covering up the stark truth so he can keep his popularity. We knew the budget this year was going to be tough and disappointing. And Patrick told us that truth as soon as he knew it, asking us to work with him to get through the tough times ahead.

We also know better than to listen to the media on what is important. Looking at the news coverage thus far, they apparently think it’s how much Patrick spends on furniture, not on the very real effect Patrick’s very politics-shifting ideas might have on the Commonwealth. Yes, I know the Conventional Wisdom is that wonkery doesn’t sell papers, political hay does. But perhaps the media should examine why Patrick won by such a large margin last fall; if they really want to capture a new and growing audience, they might try actually appealing to the appetite of the state’s citizens for real and true information on the issues that face us.

Why doesn’t the budget discussion make the front pages six days in a row? I’m sure there will be plenty to discuss after the town hall meeting tonight.