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Daily Update 9/18: Senate Interim Appointment Approved by the House

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Friday, September 18, 2009

 

Today: Friday, September 18, 2009

  • Governor Patrick held a meeting with Cabinet Secretaries at the Richmond Consolidated School and met with media today.

 

In the Press:

 

  • U.S. Senate Interim Appointment – The Massachusetts’ House of Representatives has voted to give Governor Patrick the authority to appoint an interim successor to Senator Kennedy’s seat. The reasonable proposal will give Massachusetts full representation in the U.S. Senate at a critical time as Congress continues to debate health care reform, climate change and other issues that matter to the Commonwealth’s citizens.

 

 

  • Commitment to Education Reform – Yesterday, Education Secretary Paul Reville urged the Legislature to act on the Governor’s legislation designed to improve public schools and close achievement gaps that persist despite the successes of education reform. The two bills authorize Readiness Schools and double the spending cap on Charter Schools in the state’s lowest performing districts. If passed, this legislation will position the Commonwealth to compete for the $4.35 billion national “Race to the Top” grant program: “These bills will usher in the next chapter of education reform in our Commonwealth by helping the lowest performing districts catch up to their peers and ensuring healthy districts have the modern tools and ideas at their disposal to continue to improve,” said Governor Patrick in written testimony. “Taken together, they lay the foundation for future prosperity for our students, our economic health and our communities all across our Commonwealth.  Now is the time to deliver and let the promise of tomorrow’s leaders flourish.” Learn more here.

 

 

  • ‘It’s All Here’ – The Patrick-Murray Administration yesterday launched a new web-based campaign to help retain workers and present opportunities for business expansion in Massachusetts. The website will provide information on job opportunities and programs to help grow businesses. It will combine information from public and private sectors, creating one useful resource for executives, workers, students and others. The Governor said: “Massachusetts is the best place to grow, work, play, live and study. The It’s All Here campaign showcases all we have to offer and furthers our ongoing efforts to promote the state’s global strengths.”

         

 

  • Economic Recovery – Yesterday, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development released unemployment and labor statistics for the month of August. While the statewide unemployment rate rose from 8.8% in July to 9.1% in August, the employment data for the month indicates promising trends that the Commonwealth’s job market may be on the rebound, including sustained growth in private sector employment and decreased job losses across the state. Learn more here.

 

 

  • Regionalization Month – On September 3rd, Lieutenant Governor Murray kicked off Massachusetts Regionalization Month, where he highlighted regionalizing local services at a conference at the College of the Holy Cross.  Yesterday, Lt. Governor Murray joined local officials from Melrose and Wakefield to discuss and celebrate the recent merger of the Melrose and Wakefield local public health services.  Today, Lt. Governor joins local officials from Amherst, Springfield and neighboring communities to discuss regionalizing public safety answering points, also known as emergency call centers.