Here you can track the Governor's various plans through the legislative process and you can plug in to advocate on behalf of a proposal or policy. (COMING SOON)
Good morning. What I'd like to do this morning is offer some observations on the Commonwealth's economy, some of the steps we are taking to adjust in the short run, and at least one of the areas where I believe there is potential for significant long-term growth. Then we can have some conversation.
We are connected to and influenced by national economic trends, of course, and the news on the national front is worrisome. Employment has declined nationally for four straight months, and economists forecast a fifth straight month of job losses for April. Although the financial houses on Wall Street appear -- at the moment -- to be stabilizing, the shakeout from the credit meltdown continues to affect communities nationwide.
Massachusetts is, at least so far, faring better than most parts of the country. At 4.4%, our unemployment rate remains below the national average, where it has been for nearly a year. Though we have lost ground in retail, manufacturing and construction, we are gaining in education, health care and high tech. Over the last three months, the Massachusetts economy added 3600 jobs, the 8th highest number of jobs added in the country, while the national economy lost over 200,000. Yesterday, a University of Massachusetts study indicated that the state's economy grew five times faster than the national economy during this same period. State revenues have run ahead of benchmark through April, for every month of this fiscal year so far. more...
BOSTON -- In a rally that drew 10,000 supporters despite the threat of rain, Governor Deval Patrick endorsed Senator Barack Obama and his campaign for the Presidency of the United States.
Governor Patrick recently named a council that will develop a 10-year strategic plan to continuously improve public education in the Commonwealth. This project will support his vision for a comprehensive, child-centered public education system that begins before kindergarten, continues through grade 12 and higher education, and extends to workforce development and lifelong learning.
Right now the Governor is laying the initial plans for a grassroots organizing effort throughout the state to support and advance education reform and The Readiness Project. If you want to improve education in our state and can participate by helping with events, talking with neighbors and friends, contacting your legislators, and other ways, please join the Grassroots Readiness Project Working Group.
Governor's announcement: legislation to establish a Secretary of Education.
On April 12, 2006, Massachusetts made an official commitment to reducing the number of its residents without healthcare coverage. When Health Care Reform became law, everyone in Massachusetts - from state officials to employers to ordinary citizens - stood up for the hundreds of thousands of people living in our communities without the security they need.
The victories achieved in April did not mark the end of the fight for health care coverage in Massachusetts. To build on the success of the new legislation, leaders from every part of the health care community came together to realize the goals that Health Care Reform laid out. They formed the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Coalition to begin a grassroots campaign of education and outreach across the Commonwealth, and to provide every single uninsured individual the safety and security of health insurance. If you want to join their efforts to bring health care into every home and business in Massachusetts, visit their website today: www.masshealthreform.org
