Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei issued the following statement today regarding Governor Deval Patrick’s decision to sign legislation authorizing Massachusetts to join a multi-state compact to elect the President by national popular vote:“With the stroke of a pen, Governor Patrick today is scrapping a system established by the Founding Fathers that has been in place for over 200 years and has worked well for generation after generation.
This is nothing more than an attempt to circumvent the Constitution, promoted by individuals who are still not over the fact that George Bush defeated Al Gore in the 2000 Presidential Election. It’s a terrible idea that will disenfranchise many voters and will give disproportionate power to those states with large population centers.
The sad part is how quickly this bill made it through the Legislature and on to the governor’s desk. If Governor Patrick and the Legislature had placed the same priority on job creation, tax relief, and other legislation that would actually help the taxpayers of the Commonwealth, rather than catering to a narrow special interest group, our state would be in much better shape.”
