Friday, November 23, 2012
Gov. Deval Patrick plans to ask lawmakers to raises taxes to make up for the shortfall in Massachusetts' transportation system. What options should they consider and what's off the table?
Would you be willing to pay more at the pump, have a tracking system on your car that taxes you by the mile, or see tolls on state highways? Those are just some of the possibilities looming as Massachusetts looks to erase the state's transportation system's deficit. The Boston Globe reported that Gov. Deval Patrick will ask lawmakers to raise taxes in order to pay for a transportation system—from the MBTA to roads and bridges—that continues to operate in the red. The administration will present a specific proposal by Jan. 7. One option is raising the gas tax, a route Patrick sought in 2009 only to be rebuffed by the legislature. Patrick sought a 19 cent increase while business groups endorsed a 25 cent increase. Ultimately, the state …
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Governor Deval Patrick won't run again, and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray wants the job. So do Treasurer Steve Grossman and 2010 Republican candidate Charlie Baker. Who do you think should run for governor?
Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray could hold out any longer. On Thursday, he told the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce he'd like to be governor, according to WBUR. Mind you, he didn't say he would run, just that he wants to be governor. With the election two years away, starting an official campaign now would be a bit premature. But Murray's not alone. Governor Deval Patrick has said he will not run in 2014, leaving the door open for Murray and a host of other suitors to the office. State treasurer Steve Grossman and 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker have also expressed interest in a run in 2014. And it wasn't so long ago that Scott Brown was greeted with shouts of "Governor!" during is concession speech. Who do you …
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 (nee 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 pay…
The governor, during a live chat with Patch, expressed skepticism about the legalization of medical marijuana, though he sympathized with patients in pain.
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Friday, September 28, 2012
Governor Deval Patrick said he would likely vote no on Question Three this fall. During a Thursday live chat with Patch, a reader asked Patrick how he would vote on the ballot question and whether the governor was for or against the legalization of cannabis. "I am not too energized on this issue, personally. California's experience has been mixed. I will probably vote against it. I respect the opposing view, though, especially those whose concern is for people in constant pain," wrote the governor in response. Proponents say medical marijuana will help ease the pain and suffering of cancer patients and other eligible residents. Opponents, meanwhile, say the law is a back door to full legalization, and that medical marijuana can be …
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The governor answered questions live Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
The governor will take your questions Thursday at 1:30 p.m..
Governor Deval Patrick will answer your questions during our live chat at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. To join the chat, enter your name and question in the widget above. We will try to get to as many questions as we can within the allotted 45 minutes, but can't guarantee every question will make it into the chat.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Governor Deval Patrick speaks with Patch readers live at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. What questions do you want him to answer?
If you could ask Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick one question, what would it be? Patrick will join Patch Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for a live chat with readers. Now's your change to ask the executive of the commonwealth your question about casinos, the JP crime lab, the economy, elections or whatever else you want to know Can't make it to the live chat? Leave your questions for Patrick in the comments to have them considered for the live Q&A session. We'll be sure to ask about the most popular topics when we chat Thursday. To join Thursday's chat, head on over to our homepage from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
Ask Governor Deval Patrick about any topic you like during our live chat at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Governor Deval Patrick will take your questions live on Patch this Thursday. The governor will spend 45 minutes fielding your questions as they come. To join our chat, head on over to our homepage from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Thursday. You'll simply have to provide your name, and you'll be able to ask your questions immediately. If you can't make the live chat, leave your questions as comments to this article, and we'll do our best to add them to the queue. We will publish the live chat transcript immediately and a recap first thing on Friday morning. Questions submitted will be subject to moderator approval. No vulgar or libelous comments will be allowed. Because we expect a high volume of questions for the chat session, we will keep …
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Gov. Deval Patrick is scheduled in the 9 p.m. hour.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The Democratic National Convention will have a Massachusetts feel tonight as Governor 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. The Wall Street Journal published a full schedule of speakers.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Employees at 138 companies, Kiva Systems, benefit from grant-funded skills training.
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The following was submitted by the Patrick-Murray Administration: The Patrick-Murray Administration announced $11,382,220 in Workforce Training Fund grants to 138 Massachusetts companies, including Kiva Systems of North reading. The grants, which support up to two years of training, will create approximately 1,700 new jobs and train a total of 13,000 workers. "To compete in the global economy, we must continuously invest in our workforce and I am proud to give thousands of our workers the chance to improve their skill sets," said Governor Deval Patrick. "Because of innovative programs like the Workforce Training Fund, Massachusetts continues to lead the nation out of the global economic recession.” Employees are receiving training in …
Emmanuel D.
10:42 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Licenses for bicyclists. more ›