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Daily Update 8/3: Commitment to Public Safety

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Monday, August 3, 2009

Today: Monday, August 3, 2009

  • This week, Governor Patrick will travel across the Commonwealth, focused on jobs and economic development, and hosting two Town Halls Meetings to listen to constituents’ questions and solutions. 

 

In the Press:

 

  • Commitment to Public Safety – Read a supportive editorial in the Cape Cod Times on the Governor’s efforts to strengthen public safety and reform the state’s Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system: “When he was running for governor, Deval Patrick pledged to change the state's Criminal Offender Record Information laws to make it easier for former offenders to find a job. The governor is now trying to make good on that promise with legislation that would restrict employer access to the CORI database.” Last week, Governor Patrick called for meaningful CORI reform to enhance employment and economic opportunity for citizens with criminal records. “Given that a job is critical to re-entry and preventing recidivism, it is important from a public safety point of view that we not limit their chance to get back on their feet and stay there,” said Governor Patrick. “Fix CORI in the ways we propose and we will have taken a step forward both for ex-offenders and for the public at large.” Learn more here.

 

  • Foreclosure Prevention – Governor Patrick has signed the SAFE Act – legislation that will significantly aid the efforts of state regulators to continue to implement a 21st Century model for supervision of the mortgage lending industry.  The new law will help the state retain oversight of mortgage loan originators and maintain funding to provide grants to regional foreclosure prevention centers located throughout the Commonwealth. “Preserving homeownership opportunities for Massachusetts families is a top priority,” said Governor Patrick. “This law builds on the important foreclosure prevention work we started nearly two years ago to increase protections for homeowners and strengthen oversight of the mortgage industry.” Learn more here.

 

  • Remembering Steven P. Odom – On Saturday, Governor Patrick attended the second annual Steven P. Odom Peace Charity Basketball Game at Madison Park High School in Roxbury.  The Governor joined hundreds of people who came to watch basketball in honor of Steven P. Odom, a 13 year-old boy who was a tragic victim of gang violence in 2007.  According to his father, Steven “sweat, drank, and ate basketball,’’ and the event is held to celebrate Steven’s passion for the game as well as his community.  This year’s theme, changing the GAME, which stands for giving, affirming, mentoring, and empowering, was aimed at bringing people in Dorchester and Roxbury together and highlighted the neighborhoods’ positive aspects.  Read more in the Boston Globe.

 

This Week:

  • On Saturday morning, Governor Patrick attended the Boston Basketball League Championship at Iacono Park.
  • On Saturday, Governor Patrick attended the Steven P. Odom Peace Charity Tournament in Roxbury.