Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray
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Thank you for visiting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website. Here you will find a range of information from how to save money on your auto insurance to how to file your taxes. It also contains information on what the Governor and I do to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth every day.
On my page, you will find information about the policies I have been working on and the issues that Governor Patrick has asked me to spearhead—like the new Wi-Fi Pilot Program on the Worcester/Framingham Commuter Rail Line and chairing a number of councils like the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse.
I am proud to have such a great partner in Governor Patrick. Together we are working towards creating jobs, improving public education and protecting our environment. We know that you have entrusted us with a great responsibility. To this end, we are committed to making smart investments in the Commonwealth and its residents that pay off today and in the future.
Yours truly,
Timothy P. Murray
Lieutenant Governor
Biography
Throughout his public career, Tim Murray has taken on the tough challenges of economic development, improving public education, protecting the environment and making government more responsive to every citizen.
Prior to his election as Lieutenant Governor, Tim was first elected to the Worcester City Council in 1997 and became mayor in 2001. He served as mayor of Massachusetts’ second largest city for three terms. Under Tim’s leadership, Worcester experienced unprecedented progress, with $1 billion of new economic development projects that are helping to transform an older industrial city into one that is well-positioned to lead and grow in the new economy.
As mayor, Tim chaired the Worcester School Committee and helped make that city’s schools among the best urban school systems in the nation. Tim built community partnerships to lower drop-out rates, launch school-based health initiatives and expand after-school programs to support working families.
As Lieutenant Governor, Tim works closely with Governor Patrick on the important issues facing our Commonwealth. In addition, he chairs six councils:
- Governor’s Council
- Seaport Advisory Council
- Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services
- Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention
- Interagency Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse
- Interagency Council on Homelessness & Housing
Tim is also the liaison to cities and towns and is working hard on transportation issues, particularly the improvement and expansion of commuter rail, disaster recovery policy and brownfields redevelopment. He is also a member of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association and the Aerospace States Association.
Tim is a Worcester native and the oldest of five children. His father taught high school and his mother is a registered nurse. Tim attended Worcester public schools and went on to St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury. Tim earned his bachelor’s degree at Fordham University, and then put himself through law school attending classes at night while working days as a substitute school teacher and an advocate for homeless families. Tim earned his law degree from the Western New England College School of Law in Springfield and became a partner in the Worcester firm of Tattan, Leonard and Murray.
Prior to his elective service, Tim was active for many years in a wide range of community initiatives. He served on the boards of the Worcester Public Library, Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester Community Action Council, the Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students and Preservation Worcester.
Tim is married to Tammy (Sullivan), an occupational therapist who works with school-age children. Tim and Tammy live in Worcester with their daughters, Helen and Katerine.
Governor’s Council
The Massachusetts Governor's Council, also known as the Executive Council, is composed of eight individuals elected from eight districts across Massachusetts and Lt. Governor Murray who serves ex officio. The eight councilors are elected from their respective districts every two years.
The Council generally meets at noon on Wednesdays in its State House Chamber, next to the Governor's Office, to act on such issues as payments from the state treasury, criminal pardons and commutations, and approval of gubernatorial appointments such as judges, notaries and justices of the peace.
Seaport Advisory Council
The Seaport Council, chaired by Lt. Governor Murray, consists of 15 members including cabinet secretaries, agency heads, mayors from seaport communities, and regional and waterway user representatives. The members, appointed by the Governor, include state government officials, mayors, and maritime and port professionals. Each member brings an important perspective on seaport development and policy. The Council meets quarterly to discuss current issues facing the Commonwealth’s ports and to make recommendations to the Governor regarding the release of capital funds from the approximate $300 million Seaport Bond Bill for seaport projects that revitalize and enhance the state’s port and harbor resources. Meetings are held in different port cities and towns on a rotating basis. All meetings are open to the public.
Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services
The Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services was created by Executive Order #483 in April of 2007. The Council reviews the current state and federal resources available to veterans while also working to develop new proposals to assist veterans. The issues they are currently considering relate to the delivery of services to veterans, including health care, education, housing, outreach, training and retraining. The Council also serves as an educational resource the people of the Commonwealth and their elected and appointed officials regarding issues of importance to the Commonwealth’s veterans. Lt. Governor Murray serves as the chair of the Council.
Governor’s Advisory Council to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence
The Governor’s Advisory Council to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence is chaired by Lt. Governor Murray. Re-established by Executive Order #486 in June of 2007, the Council looks at the need for further legislation to protect victims, punish and treat perpetrators, and reduce and prevent the incidence of sexual and domestic violence. It also works to enhance interagency communication and cooperation, as well as the timely and accurate sharing of information between law enforcement, judicial personnel, the private bar, and other victim service providers. The Council consists of a diverse group of individuals with backgrounds in social policy, advocacy, government, law and criminal justice.
Interagency Council on Homelessness and Housing
Governor Deval Patrick issued Executive Order No. 492 on November 18, 2007 that reinstated the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH). Lt. Governor Timothy Murray chairs the Council which will implement the recommendations from the Massachusetts Commission to End Homelessness. Co chaired by Second Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing and Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Tina Brooks the Commission’s plan calls for a new statewide “housing-first” approach that will end homelessness in the Commonwealth by 2013.
Contact the ICHH:
Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness
Robert Pulster, Executive Director
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617-573-1106
Fax: 617-573-1120
Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention
Lt. Governor Murray chairs the Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention. The mission of the Council is to maximize coordination between the Department of Public Health and a number of other state agencies that have programs or departments that deal with the issue of substance abuse and/or prevention. The Department of Public Health and the Council establish standards for the operation of substance abuse prevention and treatment services. Currently, the Council is working on ensuring the success of the state’s three recovery high schools, reducing the rate of drug overdoses, and curbing underage drinking.
Liaison to Cities and Towns
Lt. Governor Murray is the Administration’s point person on municipal affairs, working closely with the Division of Local Services. Lt. Governor Murray attends the monthly Local Government Advisory Committee meetings, and work with the Director of Municipal Affairs Robert Nunes, Undersecretary of Housing & Community Development Tina Brooks, and other appropriate Secretariats and agencies, in serving as a liaison with the Mass Municipal Association, Mass Mayors, and other regional organizations.
National Lieutenant Governors Association
Lt. Governor Murray is a member of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA). This group is made up of the Lt. Governors or second in command officials from all 50 states and the U.S. territories. As a member of the NLGA, Lt. Governor Murray attends conferences, cosponsors joint resolutions, and coordinates regional policies with other Lt. Governors. Visit http://www.nlga.us for more information about the NLGA and the recent activities of Lt. Governor Murray and his colleagues.
Aerospace States Association
Lt. Governor Murray is a member of the Aerospace States Association (ASA). The ASA is a national bi-partisan organization of Lieutenant Governors and Governor-appointed delegates who are committed to promoting a state-based perspective in federal aerospace policy development and to supporting state aerospace initiatives that enhance student/teacher education outreach and economic development opportunities. The ASA works to achieve these objectives by mobilizing industry within the states and local communities, working with federal agencies, informing the media, and bringing together state congressional delegations. The group’s top issues include research and development (R & D) funding, workforce training, economic development in aerospace and aviation, excellence in math and science education in every state, and factors to keep states competitive in a global marketplace. Lt. Governor Murray is co-chair of the R & D Subcommittee. Visit http://www.aerostates.org for more information about the ASA.
Municipal Cabinet and the Listening Tour
Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray has traveled across the state on a listening tour that took the Municipal Cabinet across the Commonwealth to six stops to date. The regional meetings focused on technology, civil service, health insurance, purchasing, capital asset management and human resources. The visits strengthen the ties between local and state government, and help generate new ideas for how the Municipal Cabinet can be most helpful to communities.
Lt. Governor Murray chairs the Municipal Cabinet, which consists of six agency heads from within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, including State Purchasing Agent from Operation Services Ellen Bickelman; Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance David Perini; Chief Human Resources Officer Paul Dietl; Chief Information Officer Anne Margoulis; Executive Director of the Group Insurance Commission Dolores Mitchell; and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission Christopher Bowman.
The Municipal Cabinet seeks to coordinate the ways in which state government can provide additional services and assistance to cities and towns. The cabinet also works to implement and analyze recommendations from the Local Government Advisory Commission, which Lt. Governor Murray oversees on behalf of the administration. All of the Municipal Cabinets meetings are open to the public.