By RICK HELLER, Sun Statehouse Bureau
BOSTON -- The Statehouse was mobbed yesterday by social-service workers and clients protesting budget cuts by Gov. Mitt Romney, but the governor, away on a trip to Asia, was not around to hear them.
More than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Statehouse and spilled out onto Beacon Street, forcing police to close the westbound lane.
"These cuts are nothing but a cynical show for a national audience," Michael Weekes, president of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, told the rally.
Speakers denounced the so-called 9C cuts, which originally removed $425 million from the current year's state budget in November. The governor restored $41 million last week, citing better than expected tax revenues.
Social-service workers were particularly incensed by a $28 million cut to the salary reserve that funds annual increases for workers at non-profit agencies.
Leo Sarkissian, executive director of ARC Massachusetts, a social service advocacy group, said the cuts will increase turnover among workers who are already the lowest paid of those who deliver public services.
Gregg Croteau, executive director of the United Teen Equality Center in Lowell, brought 14 protesters to the rally. His organization, which has a budget of $800,000, was awarded a $100,000 grant that has now been rescinded as part of the 9C cuts.
"It would have helped us to provide services through our street-worker program, which is all the gang peacemaking work we do," Croteau said.
Gov. Romney's staff indicated that no change in course should be expected.
A spokeswoman for Gov.-elect Deval Patrick reiterated Patrick's previous statement that he will review the cuts upon taking office, but is determined to balance the budget without significantly depleting the rainy-day fund, a state reserve intended for fiscal emergencies.