Monday afternoon the House Speaker, Robert DeLeo, stated that House lawmakers plan to override Governor Deval Patrick’s $4 million wildlife budget cut, and restore the funding for Zoo New England. This statement comes after zoo officials lobbied on Friday against the budget cut, stating that with the cut, they would have to euthanize some of their animals.
Deval Patrick responded to criticism today, stating that any claim that the animals of Zoo New England were to be euthanized is false. Patrick is upset with zoo officials for using scare tactics and wrongfully alarming the public by exaggerating the effects of the budget cut. He defended his position on the cuts, asserting that with the economic downturn, difficult choices must be made.
Zoo officials have not made any comment in response.
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