« Joint chiefs candidate speaks at Naval War College | Today | Group: Tobin's attack on Giuliani may violate tax law »

June 13, 2007

Legislator aims to cut open-space land sale

State Rep. Donna Walsh filed today an amendment to the state budget seeking to remove a proposal to sell up to 50 acres of open space land bordering the state’s Burlingame Management Area and Watchaug Pond for an estimated $3.4 million to plug a hole in the state’s budget.

The Charlestown Democrat proposes cuting the Judiciary’s budget by that amount to help balance the budget.

Governor Carcieri originally proposed the land sale in his budget proposal amid a broader $28.2-million land sale proposal. He later said through a spokesman he no longer counted on the land sale, but said it is up to the General Assembly to set the final budget. Carcieri has not said if he’d stop the sale if it is authorized by the General Assembly.

Legislators blame Carcieri for proposing the sale in the first place.

Those who oppose the open space land sale say it would violate existing state law and would set a dangerous precendent.

The state’s proposed 2008 budget, and all amendments, will be considered Friday by the House of Representatives.

-- Journal staff writer Maria Armental

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 4:44 PM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)