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Daily Update 9/4: MA companies receiving 2nd most NIH grants in the nation

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Friday, September 4, 2009

Today: Friday, September 4, 2009

  • This afternoon Governor Deval Patrick resumed his official powers following hip replacement surgery performed on Tuesday at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  The Governor is expected to be released from the hospital on Sunday and will continue his recuperation at home. The Governor released the following statement: “I am on the road to a complete and speedy recovery, and I am deeply grateful to the citizens of our Commonwealth for their outpouring of support and to the team of health care professionals at Massachusetts General Hospital for their expert care.”

 

  • The Patrick-Murray Administration is urging Massachusetts residents to enjoy a safe Labor Day weekend, and is delivering information to travelers more quickly and effectively than ever before. Read about the 70 new live traffic cameras that will help commuters this weekend and in the future here. Check out coverage of the announcement in the Daily News Tribune, Channel 22-Sprinfield, WBZ and WATD-South Shore.

In the Press:

  • Massachusetts Recovery – Governor Patrick’s focus has always been on the future of Commonwealth’s innovation economy and he has been working to position the Commonwealth for success regardless of the economic climate by making strategic investments in the engines that will drive tomorrow’s economy, including the life sciences, research and development, and clean energy. The Boston Globe reports this morning that this strategy is paying off – “Massachusetts biomedical researchers are seeing a windfall from federal stimulus money, with the state receiving more in grants from the National Institutes of Health than all others but California. With $178 million in extra federal funds already directed toward Massachusetts, research projects that had been dormant are being revived and others are accelerating.” Read “Medical Grants a Boon for Mass.”

 

  • Marlborough-based Sepracor Inc. said it is committed to staying in Massachusetts after announcing plans to sell itself to Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. of Japan. “Sepracor, best known for marketing the Lunesta insomnia aid, has about 2,100 employees worldwide, including 650 at its Marlborough headquarters. The company received $7 million in state and local tax breaks earlier this year, and in exchange promised to expand its Marlborough campus, retain its existing jobs, and create 250 new ones in Marlborough by 2017. ‘It’s business as usual, which includes honoring commitments made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,’ Sepracor spokeswoman Jonae Barnes said.” Read the full article.
    • On Thursday, the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University released a report finding that the Boston area is the nation’s second most economically competitive metro region. The metro Boston area ranked first for the percent of population with health insurance and rated highly for its ability to attract new federal research funds and generate new patents. Read the release here.

 

  • Massachusetts Regionalization Month – Yesterday, at conference with government and municipal planning leaders from 135 cities and towns in Worcester, Lieutenant Governor Murray kicked off a month where he will highlight the importance and cost-effectiveness of regionalizing local services. He also joined Public Safety Secretary Burke to award approximately $8 million to 12 projects to enhance regional 911 and emergency dispatch community centers. Read more here.

 

  • Commitment to Health Care Reform – Moving to fulfill the promise of health care reform in Massachusetts even in the face of significant budget challenges, Governor Patrick announced on Monday an innovative solution to continue to provide coverage for 31,000 legal immigrants scheduled to lose their insurance. Read a supportive Boston Globe column here.

 

  • Supporting Academic Excellence for All Students – On Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Murray and state education officials announced across-the-board gains on MCAS scores, and reiterated the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to high standards for all of our students. The science exam is now a graduation requirement and state education officials are working with local school districts to ensure all students are provided with extra support and ample opportunities to prepare for and participate in the test. “‘If we don’t prepare students well for the world after high school by including a strong grounding in science, then we have done them a disservice,’ says Mitchell Chester, the state education commissioner, who notes that the educational system has responded well to high expectations before.” Read The Lessons of MCAS.

 

  • Commitment to Transportation Reform – The Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to putting a stop to the common practice of pricey severance packages at the MBTA. “Former employees need to be treated in a fair way, but costly severance packages are simply not appropriate in these tough economic times and when the MBTA faces record debt.” Read the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.

This Week:

  • On Saturday, Governor Patrick attended the funeral mass for Senator Edward M. Kennedy at The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.         Governor Patrick then attended the Caribbean Day Parade in Roxbury.
  • On Monday, Governor Patrick announced the administration has successfully developed a plan to provide comprehensive health insurance to the 31,000 legal immigrants who were previously enrolled in Commonwealth Care and scheduled to lose their coverage because of budget reductions. Learn more here.
  • Governor Patrick announced the special election to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy will be held on January 19, 2010. Learn more here.
  • On Tuesday, Governor Patrick underwent hip replacement surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
  • The Governor’s hip replacement surgery was a success and his recovery is progressing as planned. Lieutenant Governor Murray said on Wednesday he received an email from the Governor and that the Governor is anxious to get back to work. Read more here.