Daily Update 8/7: Commitment to Transportation Reform
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Friday, August 7, 2009
Today: Friday, August 7, 2009
- This morning, Governor Patrick held his weekly Cabinet meeting.
- Governor Patrick attended the funeral for Paul Parks in Roxbury.
In the Press:
- Commitment to Transportation Reform – The Governor is pleased that the MBTA Board approved a top-to-bottom independent and thorough review of the troubled finances and operations of the T. It is critical that we look out for the best interests of the riders to ensure the safe, efficient management of the authority. The Governor also understands the Board's desire to seek new leadership of the MBTA. The Governor, however, strongly disagrees with the decision of the Board to approve a compensation agreement that is out of line with both the fiscal condition of the MBTA and the job performance of the General Manager.
- Read related articles in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Metro, Associated Press, Worcester Telegram, the Boston Channel, and the Wellesley Townsman.
- Listen to more on WBUR and watch footage on NECN.
- Governor of the Whole Commonwealth – Continuing his Town Hall Meeting tour, Governor Patrick met with more than 100 residents in Chicopee last night where he discussed topics ranging from abortion, to education, to medical marijuana, to the economy. Governor Patrick “shot down talks of a new round of tax hikes,” which were concerning residents: "Everybody's hurting and that's true of the ones that we put into effect already. I certainly can't see adding to that right now. We're just going to have to figure it out and that may mean some more very difficult choices," Governor Patrick said. Read more on WWLP and the Republican.
- Watch more on CBS Springfield and WWLP.
Governor Patrick talks with residents at a Town Hall Meeting in Chicopee.
- Responsible Budgeting – Yesterday, Governor Patrick signed legislation to streamline the Massachusetts County Sheriff system by transferring the seven remaining independent county sheriff departments under state jurisdiction. Once the transition is complete, the Commonwealth expects to save up to $10 million annually. “This change will promote a more efficient, consistent and transparent budgeting system to reform the costly and unpredictable county system that’s currently in place,” said Governor Patrick. “I thank the Sheriffs and the legislature for their work on this bill.” Learn more here.
- Read more in the Fall River Herald, WATD, and the Cape Cod Times.
- Read more in the Fall River Herald, WATD, and the Cape Cod Times.
- Supporting Our Local Communities and Firefighters – Yesterday, Governor Patrick announced that he would direct $20 million in federal stimulus funds to municipal fire departments across the Commonwealth. This announcement is on top of $45 million in previously committed ARRA funding going directly from the federal government to municipal police departments across the state.
- Read more in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Boston Business Journal, and My Fox Boston.
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.
- Sunday, Governor Patrick traveled to North Central Massachusetts to participate in a Creative Economy Tourism Roundtable at Fitchburg State College and meet with the Sentinel & Enterprise editorial board.
- Monday, Governor Patrick met with participants in a youth summer jobs program in Leominster.
- Tuesday, Governor Patrick held a town hall meeting at the Groton Public Library Gazebo. Learn more about the Governor’s Summer Town Hall Tour here.
- Wednesday, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray met with the New Bedford Standard Times editorial board and the Fall River Herald News editorial board.
- Also Wednesday, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray joined Congressmen Jim McGovern and Barney Frank in New Bedford to make an announcement relative to the South Coast Rail project.
- Thursday morning, Governor Patrick made an economic recovery announcement relative to public safety at the Main Fire House in Arlington.
- Yesterday, Governor Patrick appears on “Ask the Governor” on WTKK 96.9 FM. Listen live here.
- Thursday evening, Governor Patrick hosted a town hall meeting at the Chicopee Public Library Amphitheater.