Romney files measure to eliminate Bulger's office

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

espite apparent legislative opposition to Gov. Mitt Romney's bid to eliminate the office of President William M. Bulger, the governor last week filed a measure to force lawmakers to take a public stand on the issue.

      Employing rarely used Article 87 powers in the state constitution, Romney filed two measures last week to try and push through a restructuring plan for state government and the abolishment of the President's Office.

      In January Romney promised to save $2 billion by eliminating waste and inefficiency, but he couldn't put a price tag on his plan to add three cabinet secretaries but streamline the organizational chart for his office.

     By splitting the Bulger proposal off from his watered-down restructuring proposal, Romney is giving the Legislature an opportunity to reject eliminating Bulger's position without also rejecting Romney's other reforms.

      "We owe the 6 million citizens of Massachusetts a government that does a better job for them -- a government that runs more smoothly, that's smaller and more efficient," Romney said.

     Under Article 87, the House or Senate must reject the measures or they become law in 60 days.

      Romney admitted that the Bulger measure might not pass.

      "I recognize it's a hot-button issue. I'm not going to duck the issue. I'm going to bring it forward," Romney said. "We're going to give the Legislature the chance to either accept or reject it. It is by no means the central element of our reform and restructuring package."

     In a press conference at the President's Office, Bulger, the former president of the Senate, expressed confidence that he will continue in office.

      "Yes," Bulger said. "I'm optimistic I'll be here, and I'm not going anywhere."