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Daily Update 10/29: Budget Management

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Governor’s Daily Update
Schools, Jobs, and Civic Engagement
Thursday, October 29, 2009

 

Today: Thursday, October 29, 2009

  • Today, Governor Patrick offered remarks at the Providers' Council 34th Annual Convention and Expo hosted at the Marriott Copley Place Hotel.

 

  • This afternoon, Governor Patrick made an announcement about the FY10 budget.

 

In the Press:

 

 

 

Governor Patrick speaks at a press conference following his announcement regarding the FY ’10 budget today in Worcester.

 

 

  • Responsible, Compassionate Budget Management – Providing leadership based on values, Governor Deval Patrick today appeared before a gathering of business leaders in Worcester to unveil his plan to close a $600 million mid-year budget gap. The Governor noted the protection Local Aid for communities and Chapter 70 education aid for children, the preservation of vital human service programs, and limit impacts on public safety. “We should be just as concerned about our commitment to our values as we are about the value of our commitments.  Those values – creating good jobs at good wages, offering a world-class education to our kids, delivering quality, affordable health care to our residents, protecting and supporting the most vulnerable –those are the values to which we as a Commonwealth are committed,” said Governor Patrick. “So as I meet my statutory responsibility to bring the budget in line, I do so according to my moral responsibility to those values.” Learn more here.


Click on the photo above to watch the Governor’s message regarding the budget.

 

  • Massachusetts Recovery: Commitment to Job Creation– Governor Deval Patrick announced yesterday that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding has created or retained 23,533 jobs in Massachusetts since the start of the 27-month program in February. “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was designed to help states bridge to a better tomorrow by putting people back to work immediately and making smart investments in our future. This report shows that our work is paying off,” said Governor Patrick. “Real jobs are being created or saved, real projects are underway and we’re making real investment in our long-term economy.” Stimulus spending has created or retained 8,792 full-time equivalents (FTEs), representing 23,533 individual citizens put to work. These numbers represent teachers, health care professionals, police officers, fire fighters, construction workers, engineers and many others whose salaries have been supported by ARRA funds. Additionally, more than $900 million in recovery funding is in the pipeline and promises to add to the state’s significant job creation figures going forward. Learn more here.

 

  • Also yesterday, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors approved a $7.7 million grant to the Town of Framingham for Phase II of a regional economic development project.  The grant fulfills one of the targeted investments in the Life Sciences Act - a multi-phased wastewater system that will serve Framingham’s Technology Park. Learn more here.

§        Read more in the MetroWest Daily News.

 

·        Commitment to Public Safety – Governor Deval Patrick yesterday announced the nomination of four individuals to the Massachusetts Parole Board. Pamela Lombardini and Thomas F. Merigan Jr. are being nominated for additional terms, while Cesar Archilla and Roger Michel are being nominated for the first time. “I am confident that these well-respected members of the public safety and legal community will serve the Parole Board and their Commonwealth well,” Governor Patrick said.  “They each bring with them a combination of intellect, experience, and a deep commitment to justice.” Learn more here.

 

o       Read more in The Daily Item, the Swampscott Reporter and The Salem News.

 

·        Chief Legal Counsel – Governor Patrick announced yesterday that Chief Legal Counsel Ben Clements and Deputy Chief Counsel Michael Pineault are departing the administration to return to private practice and jointly launch a new law firm. William “Mo” Cowan, a highly-regarded Boston attorney, will serve as the Governor’s new Chief Legal Counsel. “Ben and Mike have been trusted friends and exceptional colleagues for many years. Each brought extraordinary expertise and integrity to their work here on the public's behalf and they will be sorely missed,” said Governor Patrick. “I thank them for their service and wish them the very best as they launch their new law firm.” Click here to read the full release.

 

 

This Week:

  • Sunday evening, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray met with advisors and staff to discuss the FY ’10 budget.
  • Monday afternoon, Governor Patrick attended a legislative leadership meeting at the State House.
  • Tuesday, Governor Patrick attended the Economic Summit at the Boston Federal Reserve Bank.
  • Yesterday, Governor Patrick offered remarks at the Massachusetts Disability Summit hosted at the Westin Copley Place Hotel.
  • Yesterday afternoon, Governor Patrick made an announcement about jobs created and retained by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.