Rice announces overrides of gov.’s vetoes

Three community programs preserved

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — State Rep. Robert Rice, D-Gardner, recently announced that both the House and Senate voted to override the governor’s vetoes of three critical local programs. Funds earmarked over the governor’s objections included $5,000 for the Gardner Community Action Committee’s Fellowship Table meals program, $5,000 for the Winchendon Community Action Committee’s Food Bank, $75,000 for the Greater Gardner Community Development Corp., $7,400 for the House of Peace and Education’s “HOPE for Kids” program, $50,000 for the Molly Bish Institute at Mount Wachusett Community College and $7,500 for the Bonnie Brae Day Camp. Although the funding will not be immediately sent to the programs, Mr. Rice said it is now just a matter of filling out the paperwork. “Some of these earmarks were vetoed by the governor, and the House and Senate overrode those vetoes,” said Mr. Rice. “And now this funding is all official. It will be distributed, the agencies have got to fill out the paperwork and these checks aren’t necessarily cut because the legislation was passed.” Mr. Rice said he had made providing additional funding for community programs a top priority because with increasing heating and oil prices, the winter months could be a trying time for some underserved communities across the region. “Certainly in terms of the vetoes I think that all of them were crucial,” said Mr. Rice. “But it is going to be a very difficult year for many residents, and getting $5,000 for several food banks and $75,000 for the CDC, an agency that does such great work on a variety of fronts was very important.” Another community program that will now receive additional funding is HOPE, which Mr. Rice said has provided local children with essential learning opportunities. “The HOPE project was targeted because of their work with at-risk children, which includes providing (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tutoring and general after-school programs,” said Mr. Rice. “We identified HOPE’s work with children as one area that we were going to make a serious priority, and now that money is guaranteed.” Although it was through the combined efforts of the House and Senate that these vetoes were overruled, Mr. Rice singled out the efforts of his Senate colleagues, Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Sen. Robert A. Antonioni, D-Leominster, for their commitment to the needs of the 2nd Worcester District. “Steve Brewer and Bob Antonioni are exceptional leaders,” said Mr. Rice. “And I am grateful for their consistent concern and support for our local needs.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 8/6/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 185)