Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Tim Murray convened a meeting of Massachusetts Mayors today in the Governor’s office to discuss the ongoing fiscal crisis. The meeting drew about 35 mayors, with additional mayors participating via a conference call. I can say that the Mayors were appreciative of the efforts of the administration to continue this ongoing dialogue, and expressed that appreciation to the Governor and Lt. Governor. The administration made no announcements to us privately that cannot be shared here, so let me outline what occurred.

The Governor and Lt. Governor announced that this coming Wednesday Secretary of A&F Leslie Kirwan will unveil new consensus revenue numbers. The Secretary (who was also present) has not announced those numbers, and the Governor did not indicate to us what he thought they might be. The Administration will base any request for expanded 9-c authority (that may include local aid) on the new revenue numbers. The Governor and Lt. Governor took pains to assure the Mayors that the contemplation of local aid cuts would only be a last resort. But it is clear that regardless of those revenue numbers the governor will be making some painful cuts, with or without local aid included.

The Mayors engaged the Administration in a frank discussion, including the desire to revisit some items previously discussed that would increase the flexibility of mayors and managers to manage costs. Many of those items require legislative approval, and on that basis we will, through the MMA, work out a legislative toolbox with the Administration that will allow us to revisit many of those non-financial items, hopefully in January.

The meeting was as positive as it could be, with an agenda to push the Commonwealth forward on the basis of cooperation between the localities and the Patrick Administration. There is much work to be done, but the Governor and Lt. Governor deserve credit for being willing to address the real concerns of mayors directly.