Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

January 16, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MAYOR MAKES FIRST CUT – TO HIS OWN TRAVEL EXPENSES

Mayor James J. Fiorentini will be attending the United States Conference of Mayors this weekend and paying for it himself rather than billing the taxpayers of the City.

In the past, the City has paid for mayors to go to conferences and meetings.  Mayor Fiorentini is attending the United States Conference of Mayors Convention in Washington, DC and plans to meet with state and federal officials while he is there on the possible Obama economic stimulus package.  In the past, Fiorentini’s meetings have brought in millions of dollars in federal funds for items like the parking garage and to test the Merrimack River for dredging. 

This time, Fiorentini said that in light of the upcoming budget cuts he is going to be required to make, he is cutting his own travel budget by $2,500.  As a result, he will be attending and paying for the convention on his own.  Fiorentini will also pay for his own meals and hotel at the Massachusetts Municipal Association Conference the following weekend.

Fiorentini said that the state mid-year budget cuts, combined with the cuts for next year, would put enormous pressure on the City budget. 

“When asking other to sacrifice, a leader must always be first in line.  It is for that reason that I have cut my own travel allowance,” stated the Mayor.