BOSTON -- Dollars and cents were the punch line of many jokes at the annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast on Sunday, when an impending budget crisis briefly became comedic fodder for the state’s political chiefs.

NewsCenter Five’s Jim Morelli reported that they rolled out the green carpet at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center for the city’s long-running political roast. Gov. Deval Patrick and House Speaker Robert DeLeo were among the speakers who launched jabs at Beacon Hill’s competing funding fixes.

“So these toll hikes are murder to you and to me, but we’re stuck with the bills says the Authority,” sang Patrick to the tune of the Wild Rover before an 800-member crowd. “We’re facing a meltdown at the MBTA, and the roads and the bridges are showing decay,” lilted Patrick to an appreciative audience.

The event, which was hosted by state senator Jack Hart, is traditionally a time to postpone political agendas, but an undercurrent of economic preoccupation ran through the ceremony.

“In these tough economic times, do you know what most Catholics are giving up for lent this year? Their 401Ks,” joked Hart, who sang heartily on the stage.

Senate President Therese Murray also looked for a topical tie-in for her remarks.

“All those in favor of a tax on beer?” she asked, polling the crowd.

Patrick also endured numerous slams for his proposal to raise the state’s gas tax by 19 cents – a measure he says will generate enough revenue to cover deficits at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and other looming shortfalls.

“We’re not comedians and we’re not Frank Sinatra, so we try to sing and have a little bit of fun,” said Hart after the ceremony.