Daily Update 7/14: Housing and Economic Recovery

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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Today: Tuesday, July 14, 2009

• Governor Patrick will make an economic recovery announcement relative to housing this afternoon at the State House.

• This afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Murray testifies before the Joint Committee on Public Safety in support of victims’ rights legislation. Read more about the Patrick-Murray Administration’s plans for victims’ rights here.

• This evening, Governor Patrick hosts a town hall meeting at Memorial Band Stand in Sharon.

In the Press:

Governor Patrick answers questions at the Nexus Alliance Forum.

• Zoo Budget Funding – Read stories about the Patrick Administration’s efforts to work with Zoo New England to manage budget cuts: “Worthy programs left and right are getting their funding cut to shreds as state revenue continues its free fall. Agencies across Massachusetts are doing the hard work of figuring out how to reconcile their mission and their funding.” Read more in an editorial by Adrian Walker in the Boston Globe. Governor Patrick has said: “We are asking them to do no more than what we are asking every other state agency, in fact, what most families in the commonwealth are having to ask of themselves, and that is to learn to live within more limited means, for the time being, until times turn around.”
  • Read a related editorial in the Boston Globe.
  • Read more in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and the Belmont Citizen-Herald.
  • Watch more on NECN and WBZ, and watch Lieutenant Governor Murray on Greater Boston.

• Transportation Reform – Continuing his commitment to improving Massachusetts’s transportation system, Governor Patrick announced yesterday that he and the other New England Governors on a coordinated regional vision for high speed rail that will connect major cities and airports, and support economic growth throughout the region. “By investing in a strengthened high speed rail network we will be supporting economic development and smart growth, connecting our vibrant urban areas, and providing people with the opportunity to move more quickly throughout the New England region,” said Governor Patrick. “This will be a huge improvement for commuters and will strengthen passenger and freight rail service along new and existing rail corridors.” Learn more here.
  • Read more in the Boston Herald, the Republican, the Massachusetts Newswire, Blue Mass Group, Associated Press, and the Recorder.

• Governor of the Whole Commonwealth – Governor Patrick continues talk with residents through his Town Hall Meeting tour. “I promised to be the governor of the whole Commonwealth. That means getting out of the State House and its sometimes inward-looking focus, and staying connected to you in you own neighborhood,” said Governor Patrick, in his op-ed that will be published in the Dorchester Reporter, “I want to talk about the tough economic circumstances we are all facing, the work we are doing to create jobs and improve education, and the reform agenda we have been pursuing on Beacon Hill.  And I want to hear what ideas you have for how we can better serve you and your families.”
  • Thursday, Governor Patrick will be hosting a town hall meeting in Pembroke. Town Administrator, Ed Thorne said, “We’re really excited about it. It was a no-brainer when his office called up and asked if we were willing to host one of the governor’s town meetings. We think it’s a great idea, and we’re happy to have Pembroke on the map.” Read more here.
  • Listen to an interview with Governor Patrick on WATD.

This Week:

• On Monday evening, in keeping with his commitment to civic engagement, Governor Patrick participated in the Nexus Alliance Forum at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries Headquarters in Boston. Read more here.