Here you can track the Governor's various plans through the legislative process and you can plug in to advocate on behalf of a proposal or policy. (COMING SOON)
A SAFE, efficient, and cost-effective transportation system is critical to building a strong Commonwealth. Getting there requires facing big challenges. Our transportation system suffers from a hodgepodge of bureaucratic oversight and a lack of sustainable financing. Previous administrations saddled the Turnpike Authority and the MBTA with nearly $5 billion in Big Dig debt; handed out jobs based on patronage, not merit; diverted capital funds to pay for salaries and benefits rather than infrastructure; and left no viable plan to pay for maintenance or commitments to expand service.
This is the sorry legacy we have inherited. Here's what we have done to get back on track.
We are investing in restoring what's broken. A fundamental reminder from last year's bridge collapse in Minneapolis is that routine maintenance is the cornerstone of a safe and reliable system. Massachusetts has undertaken a $3 billion bridge repair and reconstruction program. This, coupled with a $1.5 billion bond initiative in 2007 to address immediate transportation needs and the $5 billion in transportation capital funds passed by the Legislature this year, will restore much of our crumbling infrastructure.
Good afternoon and thank you for coming.
Several charges of unethical or illegal behavior by public officials over the last several months are both personally upsetting and institutionally self-defeating. Without singling out any one person or allegation, they upset me because they imply a repeated and careless disregard for the public trust. They are self-defeating because, whether true or false, they distract us from doing the people's business. In times like these, in particular, there is a lot of important public business to do.
In a successful democracy, the currency of government is not money. It's integrity. We in public office are not entitled to our positions. We are placed here by voters to do the best we can on their behalf. And we are expected to conduct their business honestly and openly.
I know from the nearly two years I have been here that there are many, many serious and able office holders in the Legislature and elsewhere in government whose sole motivation is to serve the public good. They deliver outstanding results under difficult circumstances, they do so the right way, and they welcome accountability. They inspire me and those who know their work. I thank them for the example they set on Beacon Hill.
But when a small few act out, it casts a shadow on the good work of those many good people, and it affects government's ability to function as well as it should. That, I believe, is where we are today. And it must be addressed. But if all we do is use this occasion to score cheap political points or gain partisan advantage, we will have missed a chance and missed the point.
Dear Friends,
As you know, the financial turmoil around the world has hit home here in Massachusetts. The tight credit market, the tumult on Wall Street, and the sharp rise in foreclosures are affecting business activity and consumer confidence. It is affecting many of our citizens, maybe even you or someone you know.
Just like families all across the Commonwealth, our state government is feeling the effects. After conferring with independent economists and other financial experts, our Secretary of Administration and Finance, Leslie Kirwan, now forecasts that the state budget is over $1.4 billion out of balance. To help Massachusetts weather this revenue shortfall, yesterday I introduced a fiscal action plan to help us get through these unprecedented times without sacrificing too much of our vision for the future.
Massachusetts is poised to be a global leader in clean energy and environmental stewardship.
Targeted investments in key industries and statewide infrastructure will spur economic growth and help create new jobs.
Governing for the long-term, making an impact on the daily lives of Massachusetts residents.
Friends,
Over the past 18 months, our administration has built a foundation for real, lasting change. We have delivered lower rates and more competition in auto insurance, an increase in jobs, 340,000 more people with health insurance, the protection of marriage equality, and a best-in-the-nation plan to help people facing home foreclosure.
I signed into law the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative--a 10-year, $1 billion investment that makes Massachusetts a world-leading center for research, innovation and healing.
We announced the final report of the Commonwealth Readiness Project, which many of you helped to craft. The report outlines the next steps in education reform, with the goal of creating a 21st-century education system that allows our children to compete in a global economy.
Today, I signed into law a comprehensive energy policy that will enable the Commonwealth to meet its energy needs through increased conservation while fostering the continued growth of our clean-energy sector. This comes on the heels of a first-of-its-kind oceans bill that will protect our seascape for generations.
The common thread that ties these policies together is a dedication to long-term, fundamental change, and this is just the beginning. We have an ambitious agenda, and there's much work still for us to do.
On June 15th, after nearly a year of work undertaken by the Readiness Project's statewide team of more than 200 educators, business leaders, and community leaders, Governor Patrick announced the release of the Readiness Project Action Agenda. This agenda outlines a series of reforms to create a 21st-century education system for Massachusetts's students.
Accompanied by Secretary of Education, Paul Reville, and Education Senior Advisor, Dana Mohler-Faria, Governor Patrick gave a speech at the first-ever combined meeting of the State's Education Boards: the Board of Early Education and Care; the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Board Higher Education and the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees.
We asked you what you thought were the top 20 accomplishments of the Administration thus far. The response was great, and here they are.
Worked with the Legislature to position Massachusetts as a world leader in the emerging biotechnology industry, create thousands of new jobs, help develop life-saving new cures, and establish an international stem cell bank.
NEW BEDFORD STANDARD TIMES - JUNE 8, 2008 - Gov. Deval Patrick so far has made good on his promise to pay attention to the needs of SouthCoast residents, who have witnessed a generation of Massachusetts chief executives lie to us about their plans or ignore us entirely. more...
The Democratic primary season inspired millions of voters to come to the polls to vote for a new direction for our country. Democrats were blessed with an extraordinary field of talented candidates, including Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. Each in their own way inspired us to be the change so many of us seek in our political leadership. And today, Democrats, Independents and even Republicans are united in their desire to change the failed policies of the Bush administration.
From the South Side of Chicago to Sioux Falls, Barack Obama has demonstrated a gift for bringing people from all walks of life together for a common purpose. He will reject the politics of division and fear in the campaign ahead. He will lead our party and our country not by talking about what we can't do, but by talking about what we can do to get our country and our economy moving forward again. I congratulate him on last night's victory.
Good morning. What I'd like to do this morning is offer some observations on the Commonwealth's economy, some of the steps we are taking to adjust in the short run, and at least one of the areas where I believe there is potential for significant long-term growth. Then we can have some conversation.
We are connected to and influenced by national economic trends, of course, and the news on the national front is worrisome. Employment has declined nationally for four straight months, and economists forecast a fifth straight month of job losses for April. Although the financial houses on Wall Street appear -- at the moment -- to be stabilizing, the shakeout from the credit meltdown continues to affect communities nationwide.
Massachusetts is, at least so far, faring better than most parts of the country. At 4.4%, our unemployment rate remains below the national average, where it has been for nearly a year. Though we have lost ground in retail, manufacturing and construction, we are gaining in education, health care and high tech. Over the last three months, the Massachusetts economy added 3600 jobs, the 8th highest number of jobs added in the country, while the national economy lost over 200,000. Yesterday, a University of Massachusetts study indicated that the state's economy grew five times faster than the national economy during this same period. State revenues have run ahead of benchmark through April, for every month of this fiscal year so far. more...
Governor Patrick recently named a council that will develop a 10-year strategic plan to continuously improve public education in the Commonwealth. This project will support his vision for a comprehensive, child-centered public education system that begins before kindergarten, continues through grade 12 and higher education, and extends to workforce development and lifelong learning.
Right now the Governor is laying the initial plans for a grassroots organizing effort throughout the state to support and advance education reform and The Readiness Project. If you want to improve education in our state and can participate by helping with events, talking with neighbors and friends, contacting your legislators, and other ways, please join the Grassroots Readiness Project Working Group.
Governor's announcement: legislation to establish a Secretary of Education.
On April 12, 2006, Massachusetts made an official commitment to reducing the number of its residents without healthcare coverage. When Health Care Reform became law, everyone in Massachusetts - from state officials to employers to ordinary citizens - stood up for the hundreds of thousands of people living in our communities without the security they need.
The victories achieved in April did not mark the end of the fight for health care coverage in Massachusetts. To build on the success of the new legislation, leaders from every part of the health care community came together to realize the goals that Health Care Reform laid out. They formed the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Coalition to begin a grassroots campaign of education and outreach across the Commonwealth, and to provide every single uninsured individual the safety and security of health insurance. If you want to join their efforts to bring health care into every home and business in Massachusetts, visit their website today: www.masshealthreform.org