Cover Letter

February 15, 2007

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives:

I am filing for your consideration the attached legislative proposal, entitled, "An Act Establishing the Municipal Partnership Act."

This legislation will encourage cooperation between the Commonwealth and its communities to strengthen municipal authority and provide local governments with increased flexibility to address their unique challenges. These goals will be achieved by several measures including: eliminating utility corporation tax loopholes for telecommunications companies; authorizing local governments to join the Group Insurance Commission to provide health care coverage for local employees; providing more accountability in investing local pension funds; providing cities and towns with opportunities to obtain more financial resources through optional local hotel and restaurant taxes; allowing cities and towns to take advantage of state-wide economies by advertising invitations for bids on the Commonwealth's website; creating the position of Director of Municipal Affairs; increasing flexibility in municipal borrowing; and creating a commission to study the use of state technology for municipal purposes and a commission to study ways to increase local authority in areas requiring home rule petitions.

I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill to promote partnerships and improve working relationships with cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

Respectfully submitted,
Deval L. Patrick