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Daily Update 11/06: Responsible Budget Management Leads to Positive Bond Ratings

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Governor’s Daily Update
Innovation, Education, Infrastructure and Regional Focus
Friday, November 06, 2009

Today: Friday, November 06, 2009

  • This morning, Governor Patrick attended the funeral of USMC Captain Kyle Van De Giesen at St. Mary’s Church in North Attleborough.
  • Governor Patrick met with veterans during the Veteran’s Breakfast at the Franklin Senior Center this morning.
  • This afternoon, Governor Patrick met with students and teachers at Jefferson Elementary School in Franklin.
  • Later, Governor Patrick made a local economic development announcement and toured downtown Hingham and Cohasset.
  • This evening, Governor Patrick offers remarks at the 2009 Cushing Gavin Awards in Boston.

 

In the Press:

 

 

Governor meets with HHS Secretary by you.

 

On Wednesday, Governor Patrick met with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in Washington, D.C. 

 

  • Governor Patrick Wraps Up Visit to Washington, D.C. – In Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Governor Patrick concluded his two-day tour to advance the state’s interests in health care, economic development, transportation and other issues that are critical to the state’s economic recovery. In meetings with members of the Obama Administration, the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and congressional leaders, the Governor advocated for a variety of initiatives, including the expansion of broadband access, health care reform, the adjustment of fishery regulations and the South Coast Rail project.  “‘Everybody’s giving us a lot of time,’ Patrick said in an interview. ‘They have been very open to taking my phone calls and giving us the time to visit. Nobody’s promising what they can’t deliver. . . . But I think it’s important for folks to know what things are important to me, and the things that are important to me are the things that create jobs.’’’
    • Read more from the Boston Globe here and here.
    • Listen on WAMC.

 

  • Governor’s Budget Management Praised by Major Credit Rating Agencies – On Thursday, Governor Patrick announced that the Massachusetts’s bond ratings have been affirmed by three major rating agencies. Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investor Services and Standard & Poor's all cited the Governor’s responsible and proactive stewardship of the Commonwealth’s finances during the current economic downturn as a leading credit strength. During this difficult time, many states have seen their credit rating downgraded, yet Massachusetts has maintained its positive bond rating with a stable outlook, thanks to the successful budget solutions the Governor has put forth. “We appreciate the recognition. For the past year, we have faced our budget challenges head on and made tough decisions based on our values,” said Governor Patrick. “Today’s affirmation of our credit rating is a testament to the work of our entire Administration and positions us for long-term economic growth and prosperity.” Learn more here and read more from the Associated Press.

 

 

 

  • Governor Supports UMass Decision to Cancel Talk – Yesterday, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst canceled an upcoming talk by convicted terrorist Ray Luc Levasseur. When the Governor first learned of this issue on Wednesday, his administration immediately contacted the university to express his concerns and the school subsequently canceled the meeting. In a statement, the Governor’s spokesman Kyle Sullivan said, “The governor supports the decision of UMass officials to cancel the appearance. It was the right thing to do, out of respect to the families of the victims of these acts and our law enforcement community.’’

Commitment to Innovation

  • Support for Cape Wind – Just as the lengthy federal review process for the Cape Wind offshore wind project seemed to be winding down, the state’s historic preservation officer declared that Nantucket Sound ought to be considered for listing on the National Historic Register based on its cultural significance to the Wampanoag tribes – a view in opposition to the ruling made by the federal agency leading the review. The declaration by Brona Simon, executive director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, puts the issue before the National Parks Service for a final ruling. The Administration’s position on the Wampanoags’ petition for “traditional cultural property” designation was that it would be inappropriate because Nantucket Sound is an unenclosed body of water – 560 square miles of open ocean – and such designation would result in additional regulatory constraints for longstanding commercial activities such as fishing and navigation – as well as further delays in the nation’s first offshore wind farm, which has undergone eight years of environmental review. Governor Patrick reacted to Simon’s ruling sharply: “I respect the Wampanoags, but this decision is ridiculous. We are going to have to get serious about alternative energy installations where they make sense, and every environmental and regulatory review has concluded that Cape Wind makes sense.”

Regional Focus

 

  • Lieutenant Governor’s Visit to MetroWest – Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray made a number of stops in the MetroWest region. In the morning, he chaired the twenty-first listening tour of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet. Murray along with a panel of cabinet members, consisting of state officials representing various agencies, listened and discussed issues of concern with local officials and residents of the MetroWest region at the Framingham Town Hall. Topics discussed ranged from health insurance costs to building codes.

 

  • Commitment to Transportation Reform – Yesterday, as the guest speaker at the MetroWest Growth Management Committee’s Fall Policy Conference, Lieutenant Governor Murray emphasized the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to transportation reform to an audience that included local officials and state legislators. Murray outlined details of the Commonwealth’s recently finalized comprehensive multi-year rail transportation agreement with CSX Transportation (CSXT), the national freight carrier serving Massachusetts.  The agreement will allow the state to purchase from CSXT rails west of Boston and along the Fall River/New Bedford line, which will lead to increased train speeds, more express trains, and better coordination for commuter and freight trains.  Meanwhile, Governor Patrick was in Washington, D.C. meeting with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, making the case for greater federal funding and support for transportation infrastructure projects.

 

Lieutenant Governor Murray tours Genzyme Corporation yesterday.

 

  • Support for the Life Sciences – Following last week’s announcement by the Massachusetts Life Science Center to award Round II funding to support infrastructure improvements for the Town of Framingham’s wastewater pump station, Lieutenant Governor Murray joined representatives from the Center, Town of Framingham, Representative Pam Richardson and the Genzyme Corporation for a site visit of the infrastructure development.  Following the site visit, Lieutenant Governor Murray also toured Genzyme’s new Science Center and viewed the site for their bio-manufacturing facility that is currently under construction. The infrastructure improvements, supported by the Patrick-Murray Administration, will assist the company to further expand in Framingham. Genzyme’s Framingham location represents the largest concentration of employees for this leading, worldwide bio-technology company. Learn more here and read more from the Worcester Business Journal, Mass High Tech, and MetroWest Daily News. 

Investing in Education
 

  • Gloucester Charter School – Following up on two letters written by the Governor, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will hold a special meeting tomorrow in Gloucester to reach a common understanding of the options available to the Board with respect to the charter that was granted to the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School in February. Public presentations will be made by the Board Chair, Commissioner, Gloucester officials and members of the Board of Directors of the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School. Also, outside consultant David Kerrigan, Esq., of the law firm Kenney & Sams, P.C., will present his overview of what legal options are available to the Board including what the standard of expectation would be for charter revocation and the potential process for such an action. The Board will discuss follow-up steps at its regular meeting on November 17. Imploring the Board to promote healing within the community, Governor Patrick has asked members to explore all options and provide multiple opportunities to the community to discuss all matters relative to the approval of the new charter school. The Board previously held a public hearing in Gloucester in June at the Governor’s urging. Read more in the Gloucester Daily Times.

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.
  • 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.
  • Later afternoon, Governor Patrick visited with the Massachusetts National Guardsmen and Army servicemen at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
  • Wednesday evening, Governor Patrick met with Secretary of Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Thursday morning, Governor Patrick and Speaker DeLeo met with members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation at the United State Capitol.
  • Later Thursday this morning, Governor Patrick met with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
  • Thursday afternoon, Governor Patrick, Speaker DeLeo and Governor Doyle of Wisconsin met with President Obama’s Senior Advisor David Axelrod at the White House.
  • Also Thursday afternoon, Governor Patrick and Speaker DeLeo briefly visited with President Obama in the Oval Office.
  • Yesterday, Governor Patrick met with Senate Majority Leader Reid and House Speaker Nancy Peloisi at the Capitol before returning to Boston.