Rep. Costello and Sen. Baddour Secure Overrides of Governor’s Vetoes

BOSTON – Two earmarks that will bring state economic development money to Newburyport and Amesbury have been restored by the Legislature, Rep. Michael A. Costello and Sen. Stephen Baddour announced.

Gov. Mitt Romney had previously vetoed the items which were included in the final version of the Legislature’s fiscal year 2007 budget. Rep. Costello and Sen. Baddour worked to secure overrides of the vetoes among House and Senate members, respectively.

Newburyport will receive $100,000 to help pay for the city’s economic development director position and to address more comprehensively the downtown area. Additionally, $20,000 was earmarked for the Amesbury Cultural Center, which will use the money for improvements to its facility and new amenities.

“These funds certainly have a direct economic impact but they will also hopefully have added secondary benefits as well,” Costello and Baddour said in a joint statement. “In Newburyport’s case, the downtown area is vital to the city’s well-being, especially as a tourist destination and hub for economic activity. As for the Amesbury Cultural Center, that space is used by hundreds of artisans and is also a key piece to downtown Amesbury.”

“We felt these were priorities whereas the Governor obviously did not,” the legislators added.

In addition to the two overrides, Rep. Costello and Sen. Baddour worked to secure the following earmarks in this fiscal year 2007 budget.
• Newburyport YWCA - $100,000
• C-10 Monitoring in Newburyport, Phase II - $75,000
• Pettengill House - $75,000
• Amesbury Our Neighbor’s Table - $25,000 for food pantry services
• Salisbury Chamber of Commerce - $25,000
• Salisbury Boys and Girls Club - $100,000