Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tell us: do you think Massachusetts needs to increase taxes to strengthen education and transportation?
In his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night, Gov. Deval Patrick proposed raising the state's income tax by a full percentage point and lowering the sales tax to pay for $2 billion worth of transportation improvements and early childhood education programs. "There is no good time to raise taxes. I know how tough the times have been on the people and families of the Commonwealth. And though the worst of the recession is over, many, many families still face tough decisions and have deep anxiety about the future. I would not ask if I did not believe in my heart that investing meaningfully today in education and transportation will significantly improve our economic tomorrows," Patrick said. Patrick said he wanted a more fair and…
The governor unveiled legislation Wednesday to strengthen gun laws in Massachusetts while increasing funding for mental health services. Sensible or reactionary?
Are new proposed laws regarding guns in Massachusetts and mental health services sensible and pragmatic steps, or reactionary measures that won't increase safety? Gov. Deval Patrick introduced new legislation Wednesday along those lines in the wake of the school shootings in Newtown, Conn. "I am encouraged by the palpable consensus in our Legislature that the time for action is now. All of us must pull in the same direction to bring about real change in this state and across the country," Patrick said in a press release. The bill would, among other things: Punishments for crimes involving guns would also sharpen, with tiered punishments for possessing different weapons on school property and giving police the authority to arrest without…
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Where and when to watch or listen to the Massachusetts governor's annual address tonight.
I would suspect that the governor's annual State of the State address is not, usually, a TV ratings champ. But tonight's speech, which starts at 7:30 p.m., may attract more viewers and listeners than usual. Why? Since it happens on the heels of Gov. Deval Patrick saying he wants to raise $1 billion by hiking the Massachusetts income tax. So you may want to watch tonight. When: 7:30 p.m. Where: CBS ABC NBC NECN Streamed live on boston.com Streamed live on http://www.malegislature.gov/ If you know of other websites, TV stations or radio stations carrying the State of the State live, please add them to the comment section below.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Doing away with local housing boards is Gov. Patrick's idea for slashing public housing cost and corruption. Do you think that's a good idea?
The Lexington Housing Authority, one of 240 public housing authorities across Massachusetts, would all but vanish as part of a proposal Gov. Deval Patrick filed Thursday to streamline public housing management operations. The purpose of local housing authorities is to manage and maintain subsidized housing and, often, to advocate for affordable housing for lower-income residents. The administration reportedly estimates the consolidation would save more than $10 million a year in salaries and administrative costs. According to a press release announcing the legislation, Patrick's proposal consolidates the state's public housing authorities into six regional housing authorities. And, says the Globe, cutting local boards would would do away…
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Friday, November 16, 2012
The Nov. 14 meeting at the State House discussed the state's efforts to protect and promote Hanscom AFB, which faces the threat of a potential Base Realignment and Closure round.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, November 16, 2012
The following announcement ws provided by the Office of Governor Deval Patrick. Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray on Wednesday welcomed Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore of the United States Air Force to the Massachusetts State House to discuss the importance of Hanscom Air Force Base, including the state’s effort to promote and support the strategic location, national security mission, and economic impact of the base. “Our military bases offer incredible assets, fuel our economy and are an important piece of our national security,” said Patrick. “We appreciate Lt. General Moore’s visit to Massachusetts as we work in partnership with Air Force leadership to strengthen and invest in Hanscom Air Force Base.” “Governor Patrick and I welcome …
Friday, September 28, 2012
Asked about toll fairness during a Patch live chat, Governor Deval Patrick asked a reader whether he'd support high-speed tolls. Are these a good way to share the transportation funding pain, or another money grab?
Are high-speed tolls along Interstate 93 and other highways a smart way to help fund transportation in the state? Governor Deval Patrick mentioned such a system during a Patch live chat on Thursday. If you've gone up Interstate 95 into New Hampshire, you've seen high-speed tolling in action. The system is designed to read your EZ-Pass (new Fast Lane) transponder while you breeze by at 65 miles per hour. There's no need to slow down or squeeze though a booth, as EZ-Pass users currently do on the Mass Pike, Tobin Bridge and harbor tunnels. The chat moved on to other topics, so no details about implementation were offered. What do you think? Would tolls along I-93 offer some fairness to riders in Boston, MetroWest and North Shore, who all …
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Fairness of Mass Pike tolls and how to keep tech skills in-state were also among topics touched on in Patch's live chat today with Gov. Patrick.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Gov. Deval Patrick answered Patch reader questions for 45 minutes this afternoon. Read the transcript of thelive chat, above.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Gov. Deval Patrick is scheduled in the 9 p.m. hour.
The Democratic National Convention will have a Massachusetts feel tonight as Gov. Deval Patrick and Congressional candidate Joe Kennedy III are scheduled to speak before the convention. Kennedy is scheduled to speak during the 7 p.m. hour after a Kennedy family tribute video. Two hours later, Patrick is scheduled to finish the 9 p.m. hour. The night will also include a number of prominent speakers, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Director Kathleen Sibelius and conclude with a speech by First Lady Michelle Obama. For a full schedule of speakers, check out the Wall Street Journal's list.
Monday, July 30, 2012
The governor on Saturday sent the anti-crime bill back to the Legislature.
Gov. Deval Patrick set in motion a wave of criticism when he vetoed the popular "three strikes" crime bill on the grounds that it lacked sufficient provisions for judicial discretion. Warning of possible unintended "unjust consequences" that can arise from mandatory sentencing laws, Patrick wrote in a letter to the Legislature, "None of us is wise or prescient enough to foresee each and every circumstance in which the new habitual offender provisions may apply." On Monday afternoon, the House rejected Patrick's amendment by a vote of 132-23, according to The Boston Globe. Patrick has not indicated whether he would veto a bill that doesn't have the amendment. Critics accuse Patrick of vetoing a good anti-crime bill by asking for …
Friday, May 20, 2011
A video roundup of the area's latest developments for Friday, May 20.
Follow the links below for more on today's featured headlines:
Michael Fleming
1:13 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Please notice Patricks phraseology: "invest in the future". First the word "invest". It sort of sounds like a person socking money away for a rainy day huh? That is always a good strategy. Sound money management, judicious use of your hard earned money, right? One "invests" their money for a reward later on, like retirement or for a college fund. Thing is, it isn't that at all. It's another word … more ›