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Daily Update 9/10: Coverage on Senate Interim Appointment

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

 

Today: Thursday, September 10, 2009

 

  • Governor Patrick joined the White House and other Democratic governors this afternoon on a conference call to support President Obama’s health care push. The call will include White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

 

In the Press:

 

Lt. Governor Murray Testifies in Support of Legislation Granting the Governor the Authority to Make an Interim Appointment to the United States Senate by you.

Lieutenant Governor Murray testifies before the Joint Committee on Election Laws yesterday at the State House.

 

  • U.S. Senate Interim Appointment – Yesterday, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray provided testimony to the Joint Committee on Election Laws in support of legislation granting the Governor the authority to make an interim appointment to the U.S. Senate, especially during the critical months that lie ahead. Senator Kerry, along with public officials, labor representatives and residents urged state lawmakers yesterday to allow Governor Patrick to fill Senator Kennedy’s seat for the five months before the Special Election. Read Lieutenant Governor Murray’s testimony and Governor Patrick's letter here.

 

 

  • Governor’s Statement on Health Care Reform – Governor Patrick issued a statement on the President’s address on health care reform last night: “I commend the President for strong leadership on health care. This President is clearly prepared to seize the best chance we have had in generations to deliver security and stability for those Americans who have health insurance and affordable choices for those Americans who don’t.” Read the full statement here.

 

  • Commissioner Burnes Moves to Northeastern – Commissioner of Insurance Nonnie Burnes, who led the Division of Insurance for two years and led auto insurance reform for more competition in Massachusetts, is moving on to become a senior fellow at Northeastern University. In a statement issued by Governor Patrick, he says: “Nonnie Burnes is a great friend and was a great Insurance Commissioner.  She brought fresh insight and real courage to one of the central successes of this administration -- the introduction of balanced, consumer-oriented competition to our auto insurance market. Thanks to her steady leadership, good drivers everywhere in the Commonwealth have lower rates and more choices, and many new companies have entered the state. I commend Commissioner Burnes on a job well done and wish her success in her new endeavor.”

 

 

  • Economic Recovery – The economic downturn may be showing signs of recovery. Recent surveys report rising home sales in New England and increased demand for temporary workers. Economists consider these changes to be the first signs of a rebounding job market. This economic upswing comes at the heels of an improving national economy, which still remains weak compared to previous years. Read more in the Boston Globe.

 

  • Increased Business Confidence – Confidence within the business community has increased five of the last six months, which is both good news and an indication that federal and state policies implemented to deal with the worst recession since the 1930s are working.  We are not out of the woods yet, but the Patrick-Murray Administration remains focused on returning the Commonwealth to economic vibrancy. Learn more from the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Business Confidence Index.

 

  • Commitment to Public Safety – Keeping with the Patrick-Murray Administration’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with cities and towns across Massachusetts, two communities in South Boston are receiving nearly $3.9 million from the state to regionalize their emergency 911 dispatch systems, to find more ways to save money in weak financial times, and to improve public safety. The funding is expected to benefit member communities as well, as annual funding  for 911 systems increases when towns regionalize their networks. “Awarding these funds is another way we are working to give our municipal partners the tools they need to respond to the present fiscal crisis, particularly with public safety, while managing limited resources more efficiently in the future,” said Governor Patrick. Learn more here.

 

 

This Week:

 

  • On Tuesday, the Patrick Administration announced the creation of the Foster Child Bill of Rights to ensure that foster children across Massachusetts are treated with respect and actively included in the decisions that affect their lives. Learn more.

 

  • On Tuesday, Governor Patrick asked U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue a disaster declaration in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties for agricultural production losses suffered due to this summer’s abnormally cool and rainy weather. Learn more.

 

  • Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Murray testified in support of legislation granting the Governor the authority to make an interim appointment to the United States Senate this afternoon at the State House.

 

  • On Wednesday, Governor Patrick declared today Video Game Innovation Day in Massachusetts. Massachusetts, a world leader in technological innovation, is home to one of the largest and most diverse clusters of video game companies and talent in the country, generating over $3 billion in sales in 2008. Learn more here.