Patrick To Veto Money For Barnstable Sheriff

Gov. Deval Patrick is approving most of a $325 million supplemental state budget. But he's vetoing one controversial provision.

The supplemental budget contains money to pay plow drivers and funding for Bay State hospitals. It also contains over $2.5 million for sheriff offices around the state. But the governor says he has to veto one line item tacked on by the Legislature providing $104,000 for the Barnstable County Sheriff.

"By all accounts, including his own, he has the resources he needs for his operations," Patrick said. "We don't have extra money to spend... to spread around."

Barnstable County Sheriff James Cummings came under fire earlier this year when he hired former Republican state Rep. Jeff Perry to an unfilled post of special sheriff for $110,000 a year. Perry lost his bid for Congress last November.

Patrick declined to say if the veto was tied to Perry's hiring.