That was the mantra for Gov. Deval Patrick’s State of the State speech tonight, repeated five times in the first half of a speech meant to inspire the Legislature into giving him his budget and the means of paying for it.
At the other end of the half-hour speech came several choruses of “the cost of inaction is too high,” implying that it would be irresponsible of lawmakers not to go along with his intiatives.
“We can afford every single proposal we have made,” Patrick insisted. But that’s only if the Legislature approves his plans for bringing resort casinos to the Bay State and raising certain taxes.
Patrick proved himself once again a great orator. But it remains to be seen whether he can sell the public and a majority of legislators on his ideas.
He got smiles, applause and even a slap on the back from House Speaker Sal DiMasi. But tomorrow it will be back to the business of twisting arms.