The official website of the Governor of Massachusetts

Office of the Governor

Email & Bookmark


Daily Update 11/04: Responding to MBTA Finance Report

Get the Daily Update and other notifications by following us:

Twitter icon on Twitter 
 via RSS | What is RSS?

Governor’s Daily Update
Schools, Jobs, and Civic Engagement
Wednesday, November 04, 2009

 

Today: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

 

  • This morning, Governor Patrick appeared on “Ask the Governor” on WTKK 96.9 FM.
  • Later this morning, Governor Patrick and David D’Alessandro discussed the findings of the review of the MBTA’s finances at the JFK/UMass MBTA Station in Dorchester.
  • This afternoon, Governor Patrick met with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke in Washington, D.C.
  • This afternoon, Governor Patrick visited with the Massachusetts National Guardsmen and Army servicemen at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
  • Later this evening, Governor Patrick meets with Secretary of Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius at the United States Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.

 

In the Press:


Governor Patrick speaks with Transportation Secretary Mullan on the red line today.

 

Investing in our Infrastructure

 

  • MBTA Finance Report – With the JFK/Umass MBTA station serving as a backdrop, Governor Deval Patrick today accepted a top-to-bottom review of the MBTA’s finances from David D’Alessandro, and immediately directed the administration’s top transportation official to swiftly implement a plan to improve service and restore a culture of safety and transparency to a system millions of riders depend on every day. “For too long we have not dealt with the service and financial problems the T faces. Folks have looked the other way and not always told the truth. That ends today,” said Governor Patrick. “And while the picture is sobering and the problems are serious, we now know exactly what has to be fixed. The job now is to fix it.” Read the Governor’s remarks here, and watch them here.

 


Governor Patrick stands with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus after their meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. today

 

  • Governor Patrick in Washington, D.C. – Governor Patrick travelled to Washington D.C. today for a series of meetings with Obama Administration officials, members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and congressional leaders. Governor Patrick met with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and discussed the possibilities for economic development at the former South Weymouth Naval Air Base. Later in the day, Governor Patrick met with US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and discussed the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to broadband expansion. Watch the Governor talk about his trip to Washington here.

Investing in Education

 

  • Strategic Use of Federal Stabilization Funds – This week, the US Department of Education cited Massachusetts for strategic use of federal State Fiscal Stabilization Funds, which are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. After some reports that questioned Massachusetts’ proposed use for the funds, Secretary Reville stated that it was in full compliance with the letter of the regulations provided by USDOE, which was confirmed this week by Deputy US Secretary of Education Anthony Miller. “I want to mention that all contact with your staff has been professional, constructive, and collaborative,” said Miller. “I also want to commend the efforts by [Secretary Reville] and Governor Patrick to stimulate innovation, promote choice, and intervene in failing schools.  We are encouraged by your State’s commitment to education,” he said.

 

Commitment to Innovation

 

  • The IT Consolidation Initiative – In an effort to consolidate the information-technology sector within the Executive Department, Governor Patrick signed Executive Order 510 in February, which oversees the planning and implementation of this initiative through an online interactive website known as a “wiki”. The “wiki” serves as an interactive portal for the planning of the consolidation initiative and is an evolving medium for the development of consolidation plans. It provides constituents and government employees a transparent view into the consolidation, and allows for feedback in the form of comments. Read more in Governing Magazine. Learn more about this initiative here.

This Week:

 

  • On Monday, Governor Patrick offered remarks at the 26th Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Jr. Memorial Awards ceremony at the State House.
  • Monday afternoon, Governor Patrick attended the first board meeting of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation at the Transportation Building in Boston.
  • Later Monday, Governor Patrick attended a legislative leadership meeting at the State House.