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Daily Update 10/09: Honoring the Peabody Little League Team

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Governor’s Daily Update
Schools, Jobs, and Civic Engagement
Friday, October 09, 2009

 

Today: Friday, October 09, 2009

  • This morning, Governor Patrick held a cabinet meeting at the State House.

 

  • The Governor issued the following statement commending President Obama on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: I congratulate President Obama and applaud the Nobel committee for recognizing the momentous impact he has already had on our country’s standing in the world. The President knows that we are not alone on the global stage; his respect for other nations and views has enhanced respect for our Nation. By shifting the tenor of American diplomacy toward collaboration and inclusiveness, the President has given us all a new start and put the promise of a peaceful world squarely within our reach.

 

In the Press:

 

Peabody Little League Champions by Office of Governor Patrick. Peabody Little League Champions by Office of Governor Patrick.
Governor Patrick and legislators meet with the Peabody Little League Champions in the Governor’s Office yesterday. The Governor shakes hands with the team’s pitcher and shortstop Austin Batchelor.

 

  • Honoring the Peabody Little League Team – The Peabody Little League team Little League World Series and “Yesterday, the team got its chance to meet the state's top boss in the building with the golden dome. But the governor seemed impressed to shake hands with the players. ‘It's pretty cool,’ Patrick said of his young visitors yesterday. ‘I was so excited to have them do so well.’” In his office, the Governor presented each team member with a Governor’s Citation and mingled with the team during a reception. Peabody's State Senator Frederick Berry and State Representatives Joyce Spiliotis and Ted Speliotis also attended. The team also enjoyed a tour of the State House. Read more in the Salem News.

 

Governor Patrick addresses the crowd during yesterday’s young adult community meeting at Northeastern University. Learn more here.

 

  • Support for Homelessness Prevention and Re-housing Efforts – As part of the Patrick-Murray Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Deval Patrick announced yesterday that the state will provide new funds to families and individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming so. The Governor aims to direct $17.9 million in federal recovery funds, over a three year period, to community-based nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth. “These funds come at a critical time for Massachusetts and complement our ongoing emergency assistance reform efforts by focusing on permanent housing as the long term solution to end homelessness,” said Governor Deval Patrick.  “By targeting resources this way, we are not only helping out individuals and families in need, but we are stabilizing neighborhoods, relieving the strain on our shelter system and alleviating escalating costs.” Read the more here.

 

  • Commitment to Education – Governor Deval Patrick announced yesterday that the administration has selected six regional partnerships to establish the first-ever Readiness Centers, a priority outlined in his Education Action Agenda as a key strategy to improve teacher quality. The Readiness Centers will be focused on enhancing the quality of teaching across the education continuum from early childhood through higher education, and will support educators in every corner of the Commonwealth. “A highly knowledgeable, well trained and dedicated teacher in every classroom is the key to all of our education reform efforts,” said Governor Patrick. “Readiness Centers will help us support our teachers as we seek to give every student access to a quality education.” Learn more here.
  • Read about support for the Governor’s education reform agenda in the Boston Globe.

 

  • Promoting Public Safety – On Wednesday, Governor Patrick released $8.1 million in federal stimulus funds to 13 fire departments across the Commonwealth. The funds will be used to rehire 127 firefighters who were laid off because of budget reductions. “A global economic collapse has hit cities and towns hard and forced communities to reduce firefighter staffing levels,” said Governor Patrick. “These stimulus funds come at a critical time, and promise to bring immediate relief to these 13 fire departments and enhance local public safety.” Departments across the state are already feeling the positive effects of the relief funds: In the town of Monson, Chief George L. Robichaud said the receipt of $146,758 means he can bring back two weekday night shift emergency medical technicians on a full-time basis; Fall River, which was forced to lay off 44 fire fighters, will now be able to bring back critical jobs with the $2.8 million the city received; With $940,900 in funds, Worcester will have enough to re-hire 16 Fire Department recruits. “Being able to bring this class on means a world of difference,” said Worcester City Manager Michael O’Brien. Learn more here.

 

  • Commitment to Responsible Budgeting – At a revenue hearing yesterday at the State House, outside budget experts and administration officials estimated that the Fiscal Year 2010 budget shortfall ranges between $400-600 million. Governor Patrick said last week that his team is closely monitoring the state’s fiscal situation, and will be updating revenue forecasts by October 15th. Within two weeks of the updated forecasts, the Governor will announce his plan to close the gap. While Massachusetts is showing early signs of economic recovery, state tax revenues always lag behind private sector growth and the Governor has said that tough choices will have to be made in order to meet his constitutional and moral obligation to keep the state’s budget in balance. As always, he remains mindful that behind every line item are programs and services that people depend on.

 

This Week:

 

  • On Saturday, Governor Patrick participated in the Topsfield Fair “Governor’s Day” Parade and Opening Ceremony.
    • Look at photos of the Governor at the fair and in the parade here. On Monday, Governor Patrick attended the Massachusetts Workforce Board Association Quarterly Meeting in Salem.
  • Monday afternoon, Governor Patrick met with Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Szostak in his office.
  • Later Monday afternoon, Governor Patrick attended a legislative leadership meeting in the Governor’s Office at the State House.
  • Tuesday morning, Governor Patrick offered remarks at the Export-Import Bank Seminar at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.
  • Also Tuesday morning, Governor Patrick participated in the New England Ethnic Newswire Newsmaker Series at the State House.
  • Tuesday afternoon, Governor Patrick met with Small Business Administration Administrator Karen Mills and small business owners and advocates at the State House.
  • Later Tuesday afternoon, Governor Patrick received an honorary degree from the University of Haifa at the State House.
  • Wednesday morning, Governor Patrick made an economic recovery announcement relative to public safety at the Fall River Fire Headquarters.
  • Thursday morning, Governor Patrick met with advocates for people with developmental disabilities at the State House.
  • Later Thursday morning, Governor Patrick sat down with the Governor's Commission on GLBT Youth in the Governor’s Office.
  • On Thursday afternoon, the Governor hosted the Peabody Little League Champions in his State House Office.
  • Last night, Governor Patrick held a community meeting with young adults at Northeastern University.