Senate Ways and Means Chair Therese Murray does not pull her punches in a statement issued today on Gov. Romney’s 9C budget cuts:

Governor Romney made a decision on November 10, 2006 that negatively impacted the lives of thousands of people in the Commonwealth. It is clear from his actions that Governor Romney intends on leaving the state at a significant economic disadvantage as he walks out the doors of the State House in about a month. One can only surmise that Governor Romney’s motive in making the 9C cuts is to provide leverage for a political campaign in which he can claim that he triumphed over a “tax-and-spend” Legislature. However, the real victims are average citizens who work for next-to-nothing in order to provide services to people in need and over programs that do everything to increase the marketability and affordability of our state.

According to a detailed analysis of Governor Romney’s 9C cuts, not only did he show a deliberate disdain for the people of the Commonwealth, he also violated the law by cutting over $90 million that is not within his authority to do so. Again, Governor Romney’s destructive action, without giving even a cursory glance at his power (or lack thereof) under 9C, further indicates his intent to skip town without any concern for the Commonwealth.