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March 27, 2008

Lincoln Courthouse Delayed at Least a Year

Carroll Andrew Morse

With the other excitement going on in state government yesterday, this news-nugget, here reported on by Edward Fitzpatrick of the Projo, flew in a bit under-the-radar…

Construction of the proposed $71-million Blackstone Valley Courthouse will be postponed for a year and commence in fiscal year 2010, Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams said yesterday during his annual State of the Judiciary address.

Williams reminded legislators they approved borrowing money for a new courthouse, and he reminded them of reasons for the project....But the state is facing a projected budget deficit of $150 million in the current fiscal year and a projected deficit of nearly $400 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

So, “in recognition of the hardship we all face,” Williams said he has spoken to House Speaker William J. Murphy and Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano about deferring the project for a year. “And the governor has indicated his support for construction if we wait another year,” he said. “Therefore, all have agreed to postpone the construction until fiscal year 2010.”


Comments

He's willing to wait as long as he eventually gets that mammoth, unnecessary monument to his own hubris.

Posted by: Greg at March 27, 2008 9:11 AM

Well said Greg-remember Chief Justice Weisberg?No immense ego there,just an honest and hard working jurist.

Posted by: joe bernstein at March 27, 2008 11:51 AM

Did any of you see the embarrassing slide show that accompanies Frank's speech?? Our Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court belongs in the loony bin.

Posted by: Tim at March 27, 2008 12:07 PM

That's mighty white of you, Frank.

When it's eventually built, will you be providing cots in the hallways for the new homeless people created by the increase in tax to pay for your monument?

Posted by: Ralph at March 27, 2008 2:46 PM

http://FrankWilliamsSucks.com

That says it all.

:)

Posted by: Citizen Critic at March 27, 2008 5:40 PM

Oh, how magnanimous and noble of him ... giving us a stay of execution for an additional year! Of course, in the interim, the cost of the project will probably go way up, as the economy goes down the crapper. What shall we do to thank him for his benevolent generosity -- name something after him, perhaps?

I can't type any more; the puke on my keyboard is making it too difficult... ;)

Posted by: Will at March 27, 2008 9:55 PM

Let's see, what's more important?

An unneeded new courthouse? Or a badly needed contribution to the public pension fund?

An unneeded new courthouse? Or badly needed tax reform for the worst business climate in the country?

An unneeded new courthouse? Or badly needed tax relief for the fourth highest taxed citizens in the country?


Gosh, that's a stumper. I'm going to have to go away and think about this.

Posted by: Monique at March 28, 2008 8:10 AM