BOSTON - Gov. Mitt Romney may be in Asia, but that did not deter more than a thousand people from rallying on Beacon Hill Wednesday to protest recent budget cuts.

"Any idiot can cut and say, 'Look, we have a balanced budget,'" said Charlie Manning, 65, from Cape Cod.

Manning, who held a sign next to a giant, inflated rat with red eyes, said he considers it the government's responsibility to provide for the needy.

Romney has received plenty of criticisms for his "9C" cuts last month, which removed $425 million from the state budget. The cuts affected public health programs and stopped planned salary increases to mental health workers. Last week he restored $41.4 million.

In keeping with the holiday season, the rally's guest of honor was a Romney Grinch - an advocate dressed as the Grinch in a Santa costume, "Romney" inscribed across his chest. "These cuts are nothing but a cynical show put on for the benefit of a national audience," said Michael Weekes, president of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, alluding to Romney's expected presidential bid.

Among the many chants, protesters cried, "Cutting the essentials is not presidential."

Many of the protesters objected to the elimination of a human services salary reserve that would give workers who aid the mentally disabled a modest raise, at the cost of $28 million.

Michael Andrade, executive director of The Arc of Northern Bristol County, said that the raise would amount to an additional $20 per week for each worker, half coming from the Arc, the rest from the state.

The Arc offers "essential" support to those dealing with a variety of mental or developmental disabilities, from medical or emotional support to practical help, such as budgeting.

Andrade said the average employee earns around $10.50 an hour, and they were anticipating a retroactive check for the anticipated raise of approximately $500 just in time for the holidays.

"I understand we need to balance the budget," he said. "But we need to do it in the least devastating way."

He said that some of his staff have responded to the news by asking for advances so that they can still purchase Christmas gifts for their children. A few have even resigned.

State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro, said she has received many e-mails from workers directly affected by the cuts.

Poirier echoed their concerns, but said the budget issue was a challenge that would likely be waiting for Deval Patrick when he takes office in January. "I can't think of more deserving people to have it than they," Poirier said. "As a matter of fact, I'd like to see them earn more."

Poirier does see some spending in the current budget she considers unnecessary, such as $500,000 allocated for a gazebo in one town's square.

She said that Patrick will face a fiscal challenge when he comes to office, and thinks he may turn to gaming as one possible source of new revenue.

Poirier said a couple of constituents who had attended the rally visited her in her office.

Tim O'Neill, chief of staff for Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, also said several constituents dropped by to voice their concerns.

O'Neill said Timilty's office had received more than 70 e-mails from constituents about the cuts. He called that number "pretty high."

Felix Browne, a spokesman for Romney, in an e-mail statement responding to the protest, said, "Fiscal discipline has been a hallmark of Gov. Romney's administration and he intends on maintaining it until his last day in office."