Daily Update 11/5: Governor Patrick in Washington, D.C.

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Governor’s Daily Update
Innovation, Education, Infrastructure and Regional Focus
Thursday, November 05, 2009

Today: Thursday, November 05, 2009

• This morning, Governor Patrick and Speaker DeLeo met with members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation at the United State Capitol in Washington, D.C.
  
• Later this morning, Governor Patrick met with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
  
• This afternoon, Governor Patrick, Speaker DeLeo and Governor Doyle of Wisconsin met with President Obama’s Senior Advisor David Axelrod at the White House.
  
• Also this afternoon, Governor Patrick and Speaker DeLeo briefly visited with President Obama in the Oval Office.
  
• Governor Patrick met with Senate Majority Leader Reid and House Speaker Nancy Peloisi at the Capitol before returning to Boston.

 In the Press:

Governor Patrick discusses his administration's broadband expansion priorities with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in Washington, D.C. yesterday.

Investing in our Infrastructure

• MBTA Finance Report – Responding to a top-to-bottom review of the MBTA’s finances he commissioned in August, Governor Patrick yesterday directed his top transportation official to re-prioritize projects to keep riders safe and identify a new leadership team at the MBTA. The Governor reassured the public that the system is safe and took fare increases off the table, saying that the MBTA must first focus on improving service, transparency and accountability for the riders it serves. Read the Governor’s remarks here, and watch them here.
  • Read more in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald here and here, State House News, the Metro, WPRI, and the Associated Press.

• Watch more on WCVB, WBZTV, and NECN.

• Listen to the Governor discuss transportation reform on the Jeff Santos Show.

Governor Patrick stands with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. this morning.

• Governor Patrick in Washington, D.C. – Governor Patrick continues his series of meetings in Washington D.C. today with members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, President Obama’s Senior Advisor David Axelrod, President Obama, and Senate Majority Leader Reid and House Speaker Peloisi. Watch the Governor talk about his trip to Washington here.

• Read more about the Governor’s visit to Washington, D.C. in the Boston Globe here and here, the Boston Herald, the Associated Press, and the State House News. 

Commitment to Innovation

• Broadband Expansion – During his time in Washington, D.C., the Governor is focused on pushing his administration’s broadband expansion efforts forward. Broadband access has a proven track record of stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and increasing property values and tax receipts. Governor Patrick met with Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke yesterday to discuss his priorities. “‘We are farther along in thinking about what we need to do than many states,’ Patrick said in an interview with the Globe, referring to his administration's efforts to chart a broadband strategy for the state. ‘Broadband isn't a luxury anymore, or a convenience.’” Read more in the Boston Globe here and listen on WFCR.

Investing in Education

• Learn at Work Program – At the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, Labor & Workforce Secretary Suzanne Bump and Education Secretary Paul Reville announced that a total of $1.4 million is being devoted to the Learn at Work program which provides workplace educational services for low literacy and low English proficiency adults. “Workplace education programs link literacy, learning and skill achievement and help prepare adult learners for the needs of the work force,” said Secretary Reville. “Ultimately, these programs prepare nontraditional student workers for success in today’s increasingly competitive job market.”
  • Read more in the Worcester Telegram and Boston Globe.

This Week:

• On Monday, Governor Patrick offered remarks at the 26^th 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.
• Wednesday morning, Governor Patrick appeared on “Ask the Governor” on WTKK 96.9 FM. Listen here.
• Later Wednesday 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.
• Wednesday afternoon, Governor Patrick met with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke in Washington, D.C.
• Yesterday afternoon, Governor Patrick visited with the Massachusetts National Guardsmen and Army servicemen at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
• Yesterday evening, Governor Patrick met with Secretary of Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius at the United States Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.